Jacqueline Bisset is magnificent – in so many ways.
In a career spanning 58 years and a portfolio that includes about 50 films, the 78-year-old actress shows no signs of slowing down.
Jacqueline Bisset has been one of my role models since I was a very little girl, my parents just loved her. To me, she really is one of the few actresses that represent the glamour that Hollywood once had.
I admire her aging naturally and always thought she had a very natural beauty and sex appeal. She never wore tons of makeup.
Throughout her storied career, the brown-haired beauty, known for her high cheekbones and striking green eyes, has demonstrated her versatility by playing a range of characters including the sultry seductress Miss Goodthighs in the spy parody Casino Royale (1967), a devoted mother in Sleepy Time Gal (2001), First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in America’s Prince: The John F. Kennedy Jr. Story (2003) and Anna Karenina (1985) in the sweeping love story of the same name, where she starred opposite Christopher Reeves.
Bisset made her first on-screen appearance in Roman Polanski’s Cul-de-Sac (1966) and gained notoriety in 1968 when she starred in back-to-back films in one single year: Detective with crooner Frank Sinatra, Bullitt with Steven McQueen, and her Golden Globe-nominated performance in The Sweet Ride with Tony Franciosa and Bob Denver, who’s famously known as Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island.
You’ll also recognize her from her performances in Day for Night (1973), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Deep (1977), Wild Orchid (1990), her Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated role in Joan of Arc (1999), her Golden Globe-winning role in the miniseries Dancing on the Edge (2013), Miss You Already (2015) and Birds of Paradise (2021).
In 2010, the multilingual actor–she speaks English, French and Italian–was awarded the Legion of Honor, the highest state order in France, and in 2023, Sedona International Film Festival recognized Bisset with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Despite filming with some of Hollywood’s hottest men, Bisset has never been married. The stunning woman was pursued by Frank Sinatra, and rumors swirled that she was involved with Bullitt co-star, Hollywood bad boy, Steve McQueen. But Bisset, a proper English lady, said they were too different.
Referring to McQueen, she said in an interview with the Daily Mail, “He was attractive, but a little scary. I was very English and he was a hip American. The way he talked would have driven me mad–I didn’t know what a dude or a soul chick was!”
She’s had long-term relationships with Canadian actor Michael Sarrazin, the ballet dancer Alexander Godunov and actor Vincent Pérez, but she admits she’s too independent for anything permanent.
In an interview with the Independent, Bisset said, “I’ve had some very interesting men in my life. They have been a handful. I don’t choose easy men, I’m told.” She continued, “Sometimes you get too much information when you spend time with people. You start to see things–bad habits. You start to discover them and then you have to marry bad habits and I’m not sure I can cope with them. I don’t ever have bad relationships. I haven’t broken up angry. I’ve just moved out of situations that have been overwhelming.”
Though Bisset–Godmother to Angelina Jolie–hasn’t made headlines for having outrageous relationships, she was trending after she won the Golden Globe for her portrayal as Lady Cremone in the BBC series Dancing on the Edge.
Her acceptance speech, with the background music playing to signal her off the stage, was mostly filled with ramblings but demonstrated genuine gratitude from the then 69-year-old, who had been waiting 47 years to win, since her first nomination for best newcomer.
Since then, she starred as a sassy femme fatale in the French thriller The Lodger (2020), and most recently, she appeared in the film Loren & Rose (2022). Bisset plays the lead character Rose, a legendary actor trying to re-establish her career, who’s bound by a reputation that casts her as being a “little zany and a bit unreliable.”
According to the film’s director Russell Brown, the character of Rose is the opposite of Bisset in real life. Brown said, “Viewers often assume that Jacqueline is ‘like she is in the movie.’ But this really isn’t the case–as an actress and a woman, I think she is quite different from Rose, and it’s a testament to her skill that the transformation feels so seamless.”
Bisset is a timeless beauty who embraces aging with grace. In her infamous Golden Globes speech, she said: ‘I believe, if you want to look good, you’ve got to forgive everybody. It’s the best beauty treatment.’
She’s also said that though in her youth she had “lots of complexes” she was never tempted by plastic surgery. “I don’t think it makes you look younger. It makes you different,” said Bisset.
From the ‘Bundy Bounce’ to Household Mayhem: Unraveling the Comedic Genius of a 90s TV Classic
In the annals of classic television sitcoms, few moments have become as iconic and enduring as the “Bundy Bounce.” First introduced in a 1990s episode of the beloved series “Married… with Children,” this outrageous dance move, invented by the show’s resident fashionista Kelly Bundy, has lived on in the memories of fans for decades.
At the heart of this memorable sequence is a classic tale of sibling rivalry, as Kelly’s attempt to impress at a car audition is complicated by the meddling of her brother, Bud. But beyond the central plotline, this episode also delves into the Bundy family’s signature brand of chaotic humor, as the family matriarch, Peg, refuses to do any household chores, much to the dismay of her long-suffering husband, Al.
The episode opens with Kelly, the quintessential Bundy daughter, determined to land the coveted role of spokesperson for the new Allanté car. Recognizing that she needs to stand out from the competition, Kelly hatches a plan to wow the executives with a unique dance move that she dubs “The Bundy Bounce.”
“The Bundy Bounce” is a dynamic, high-energy routine that showcases Kelly’s confidence, sass, and flair for the dramatic. With its exaggerated hip movements and playful, almost mocking tone, the dance perfectly encapsulates Kelly’s larger-than-life personality and her unwavering desire to be the center of attention.
As Kelly prepares to unveil her showstopping routine at the audition, her brother Bud, ever the opportunist, decides to exploit his sister’s ambition for his own gain. Revealing Kelly’s dance to a rival contestant, Bud sets the stage for a dramatic showdown, with the fate of the Allanté spokesperson gig hanging in the balance.
The rivalry between Kelly and Bud has long been a source of humor and drama within the Bundy household, and this episode is no exception. As the two siblings vie for the spotlight, their animosity towards one another comes to a head, with each determined to outmaneuver the other.
Bud’s decision to share Kelly’s dance move with her competition not only jeopardizes Kelly’s chances at landing the job but also showcases the lengths the Bundy children will go to in order to one-up each other. This sibling dynamic is a crucial element of the show’s enduring appeal, as it taps into the universal experiences of family life and the push-and-pull of brotherly and sisterly relationships.
While the “Bundy Bounce” storyline takes center stage, the episode also features a hilarious subplot involving the family matriarch, Peg Bundy. Fed up with the constant demands of maintaining the household, Peg decides to go on a household strike, refusing to do any chores or cooking.
This decision sends the Bundy household into a tailspin, as Al, the family patriarch, is forced to confront just how dependent he is on Peg’s domestic labor. The resulting chaos, with dirty dishes piling up and the family left to fend for themselves, is a prime example of the show’s signature brand of over-the-top, slapstick humor.
In the decades since its original airing, the “Bundy Bounce” episode has cemented its place as a beloved classic within the “Married… with Children” canon. The iconic dance move, with its catchy rhythm and Kelly’s unforgettable performance, has become a touchstone for fans of the show, a moment that perfectly encapsulates the series’ irreverent spirit and the Bundy family’s unique brand of chaos.
Beyond the “Bundy Bounce” itself, the episode’s exploration of the family’s complex dynamics and its blend of humor, drama, and memorable characters have all contributed to its enduring legacy. As new generations discover the show, this episode continues to captivate and entertain, solidifying “Married… with Children” as a true sitcom masterpiece.
In the annals of classic television comedy, the “Bundy Bounce” episode of “Married… with Children” stands out as a shining example of the show’s ability to blend memorable characters, iconic moments, and relatable family dynamics into a truly engaging and entertaining whole. From Kelly’s showstopping dance moves to the Bundy household’s descent into domestic disarray, this episode is a testament to the series’ enduring appeal and its status as a beloved, genre-defining sitcom.
As fans continue to revisit this classic episode, the “Bundy Bounce” and the stories it encompasses will undoubtedly continue to captivate and entertain, cementing its place as a cornerstone of television history and a testament to the enduring power of the Bundy family’s unique brand of chaos.
Leave a Reply