Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jane Birkin
Discover the career path of Jane Birkin, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Jane Birkin (1946-2023) was a British-French icon, renowned for her work as an actress and singer. Though British, she gained significant recognition in France, particularly in French cinema. Her career spanned decades and she became a style icon, known for her effortless chic and association with Hermès, leading to the creation of the iconic Birkin bag named after her. Her legacy extends beyond her artistic achievements; she was a symbol of Anglo-French cultural exchange and a muse for many.
1965: Early Acting and Musical Roles
In 1965, Jane Birkin appeared in an uncredited role in The Knack ...and How to Get It and in the musical The Passion Flower Hotel, with music by John Barry.
1965: First Film Role
In 1965, Jane Birkin had her first film role in Richard Lester's The Knack.
1966: Early Acting Roles
In 1966, Jane Birkin began her acting career, appearing in minor roles in films such as Michelangelo Antonioni's Blowup and Kaleidoscope.
1966: Role in Blowup
In 1966, Jane Birkin had a small role in Michelangelo Antonioni's Blowup, which gained notoriety due to her nude scene.
1968: Starring Role in Wonderwall
In 1968, Jane Birkin had a starring role in Joe Massot's psychedelic film Wonderwall.
October 1969: "Je t'aime" Chart History
In October 1969, "Je t'aime... moi non plus" made UK chart history, appearing at two different chart positions due to being released on different labels after the initial label withdrew the record due to controversy. It also became the biggest-selling single ever for a completely foreign-language record at that time.
1969: Release of "Je t'aime... moi non plus"
In 1969, Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg released the duet "Je t'aime... moi non plus," which caused a scandal due to its sexual explicitness and was banned by radio stations in several countries.
1969: Debut Album Release
In 1969, Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg released their debut album, Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg.
1969: Move in with Gainsbourg
In 1969, Jane Birkin divorced Barry, moved in with Serge Gainsbourg in Paris, appeared in films such as Les Chemins de Katmandou and La Piscine, and sang backing vocals on Gainsbourg's album l'Histoire de Melody Nelson.
1969: Role in Slogan and Relocation to France
In 1969, Jane Birkin met Serge Gainsbourg when she auditioned for Slogan, won the role despite not speaking French, and relocated to France permanently. She also performed with him on the film's theme song.
1971: Appearance on Gainsbourg's Album
In 1971, Jane Birkin appeared on Serge Gainsbourg's album Histoire de Melody Nelson.
1971: Acting Break
In 1971, Jane Birkin took a break from acting after her daughter Charlotte was born.
1972: Acting Break
In 1972, Jane Birkin took a break from acting after her daughter Charlotte was born.
1973: Di doo dah Album Release
In 1973, Jane Birkin released the album Di doo dah, mainly written by Serge Gainsbourg.
1973: Return to Acting and Film Roles
In 1973, Jane Birkin returned to acting, playing Brigitte Bardot's lover in Don Juan, or If Don Juan Were a Woman and had a supporting role in Dark Places.
1975: Multiple Film Appearances
In 1975, Jane Birkin made five films, including La course a l'echalote and Je t'aime moi non plus, the latter directed by Gainsbourg and creating controversy.
1975: Lolita Go Home Album Release
In 1975, Jane Birkin released the album Lolita Go Home, mainly written by Serge Gainsbourg.
1976: Film Appearance
In 1976, Jane Birkin appeared in the film Je t'aime moi non plus, directed by Serge Gainsbourg.
1978: Appearance in Death on the Nile
In 1978, Jane Birkin appeared in Death on the Nile and modeled for Lee Cooper jeans advertisements.
1978: Death on the Nile
In 1978, Jane Birkin appeared in Death on the Nile.
1978: Ex-fan des sixties Album Release
In 1978, Jane Birkin released the album Ex-fan des sixties, mainly written by Serge Gainsbourg.
1980: Egon Schiele Exzess und Bestrafung
In 1980, Jane Birkin appeared in Egon Schiele Exzess und Bestrafung as the mistress of Egon Schiele.
1980: Continued Career after Gainsbourg Separation
In 1980, after separating from Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin continued her career as both an actress and a singer.
1981: Starring Role in The Prodigal Daughter
In 1981, Jane Birkin starred as Anne in Jacques Doillon's La fille prodigue (The Prodigal Daughter), marking a turning point in her career as it was the first time her performance was well received.
1982: Hermes Birkin bag design
In 1982 the Hermes Birkin bag was designed and later created after Jane Birkin met Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight in 1983.
1982: Evil Under the Sun
In 1982, Jane Birkin appeared in Evil Under the Sun.
1983: Love on the Ground
In 1983, Jane Birkin collaborated with Jacques Rivette in Love on the Ground.
1983: Baby Alone in Babylone Album Release
In 1983, Jane Birkin released the album Baby Alone in Babylone, her first collaboration with Serge Gainsbourg after their separation.
1983: Met Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight
In 1983, Jane Birkin sat next to Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight, leading to the creation of the Birkin bag.
1984: Starring Role in La Pirate
In 1984, Jane Birkin starred as Alma in Jacques Doillon's La pirate, for which she was nominated for a César Award.
1984: Creation of the Birkin Bag
In 1984, Jean-Louis Dumas created the Birkin bag for Jane Birkin, based on a 1982 design.
1985: Leave All Fair
In 1985, Jane Birkin co-starred with John Gielgud in Leave All Fair.
1985: Won "Best Actress" award
In 1985, Jane Birkin won the "Best Actress" award at the Orleans Film Festival for 'Leave All Fair'.
1987: Lost Song Album Release
In 1987, Jane Birkin released the album Lost Song, which was written by Serge Gainsbourg.
1990: Amours des feintes Album Release
In 1990, Jane Birkin released the album Amours des feintes, the last album Serge Gainsbourg wrote for her before his death.
1991: La Belle Noiseuse
In 1991, Jane Birkin collaborated with Jacques Rivette in La Belle Noiseuse and was nominated for a César Award.
1992: Victoires de la Musique Award
In 1992, Jane Birkin won Female Artist of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique.
1995: The Trojan Women at the National Theatre
In 1995, Jane Birkin played one of the lead roles in Euripides' tragedy The Trojan Women at the National Theatre in London.
1998: A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries
In 1998, Jane Birkin appeared in James Ivory's A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries.
2002: Merci Docteur Rey
In 2002, Jane Birkin appeared in Merci Docteur Rey.
2002: Campaigning Against the Far-Right
In 2002, Jane Birkin campaigned against the far-right in France, participating in a protest denouncing the qualification of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the second round of the presidential election.
2003: "Beauty" on Strong Currents Album
In 2003, Jane Birkin recorded the song "Beauty" on Hector Zazou's album Strong Currents.
2003: Le Divorce
In 2003, Jane Birkin sang "L'Anamour", composed by Gainsbourg, for the end title song of Le Divorce.
2004: Rendez-vous Album Release
In 2004, Jane Birkin released the album Rendez-vous, an album of duets.
2006: Elektra
In 2006, Jane Birkin played the title role in Elektra, directed by Philippe Calvario in France.
2006: Recorded and Released Album Fictions
In 2006, Jane Birkin recorded and released the album 'Fictions'.
2006: Fictions Album Release
In 2006, Jane Birkin released the album Fictions.
2008: Enfants d'hiver Album Release
In 2008, Jane Birkin released the album Enfants d'hiver.
2010: Protested French government's policy towards undocumented migrants
In 2010, Jane Birkin demonstrated support for immigrants, denouncing the French government's policy towards undocumented migrants and protested outside the residence of the Minister of Immigration.
2010: Recorded Duet with Sérgio Dias
In 2010, Jane Birkin recorded a duet, 'Marie', with Brazilian singer Sérgio Dias. This appeared on 'We Are the Lilies', an album by Dias and French band Tahiti Boy and the Palmtree Family, which featured contributions from Iggy Pop and others.
2015: Marched in Paris in support of refugees
In 2015, Jane Birkin marched in Paris in support of refugees.
2016: Advertising campaign and lead role in film
In 2016, Jane Birkin appeared in an advertising campaign for Yves Saint Laurent and also had the lead role in 'La femme et le TGV', a short film directed by Timo von Gunten.
2016: Final Film Role
In 2016, Jane Birkin starred in the Academy Award-nominated short film La femme et le TGV, which she indicated would be her final film role.
March 2017: Release of Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le Symphonique
On March 2017, Jane Birkin released 'Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le Symphonique', a collection of songs Gainsbourg wrote for her. The songs were reworked with full orchestral arrangements.
September 2017: Live performance in Brussels
In September 2017, Jane Birkin performed live in Brussels to promote her album 'Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le Symphonique'.
2017: Performed at a free concert against Marine Le Pen
In 2017, Jane Birkin performed at a free concert at the Place de la République organized in opposition to Marine Le Pen in the 2017 presidential election.
2017: Stated La femme et le TGV would be her final acting performance
In a 2017 interview, Jane Birkin stated that 'La femme et le TGV' would be her final acting performance and that she had no plans to return to acting.
September 2018: Signed open letter on climate change
In September 2018, Jane Birkin signed an open letter published in Le Monde, urging politicians to act on climate change and biodiversity collapse.
2022: Cut her hair in support of Iranian women
In 2022, Jane Birkin cut her hair in support of Iranian women and girls protesting the death of Mahsa Amini.
