Who Is Isabelle Huppert? ‘Elle’ Winner Beat Out Big Stars At 2017 Golden Globes

On Sunday night at the 2017 Golden Globes, actress Isabelle Huppert surprised Hollywood when she beat out Amy Adams, Natalie Portman, Ruth Negga and Jessica Chastain for best performance by an actress.

The 63-year-old French actress has appeared in more than 100 films and TV productions since her 1971 debut but her name may be foreign to many American fans of Hollywood. Here are a few things you didn’t know about the “Elle” actress:

One Of Only Four Women To Win Best Actress Twice At Cannes

Huppert is one of only four women to win best actress at the Cannes Film Festival. The actress took home the award in 1978 for her role in “Violette Nozière” and in 2001 for “The Piano Teacher.” She is also one of only three women to receive the Volpi Cup for best actress twice at the Venice Film Festival.

She Wasn’t The First Choice For “Elle”

Although “Elle” takes place in France, the original plan was to produce the film in the United States but trouble finding a female lead made it difficult. Nicole Kidman, Sharon Stone, Julianne Moore and Diane Lane were all offered the role but turned it down. Huppert read the book which “Elle” was based on and wanted to do the film.

She’s Happy Doing Films In France

Although Huppert has had her taste of Hollywood, the French actress is happy staying in her homeland to do films. During an interview with LRMOnline.com, when asked if she was interested in getting more involved in Hollywood movies, Huppert said, “No, I’m not trying to be involved… I’m just curious and in that sense, there’s nothing that you can never really make happen, it isn’t happening.”

She Expected “Elle” To Be More Controversial In The U.S.

When a film features a rape during the opening scene, controversy is expected to follow, but “Elle” was able to dodge most of it. “I thought ‘Elle’ would be more controversial,” Huppert told Vulture, “Particularly in the states, but I think it is not because it has integrity.” Huppert credited her character’s “fearless” personality as the reason for integrity in the fim.

“She is strong, fearless, and solitary, yes, and she is generous, but she is mostly a very contemporary woman, having all these side stories, having to deal with the past and never complaining, always moving on.”