Jane Mallory Birkin (14 December 1946) is an English actress, singer and film director who lives in France.
Jane Birkin was born in London, England, to David Birkin, a Royal Navy lieutenant-commander and World War II espionage operative, and Judy Campbell, an actress in Noel Coward musicals.
Jane Birkin's brother is the screenwriter/director Andrew Birkin.
First cousin of her father was Freda Dudley Ward, a mistress of Edward VIII while he was Prince of Wales.
Jane Birkin emerged in the Swinging London scene of the 1960s, starring as one of the models in the 1966 film Blowup.
In 1968, Jane Birkin auditioned in France for the lead female role in Slogan.
Though she did not speak French, she won the role. She co-starred with Serge Gainsbourg, and duetted with him on the film's theme song — the first of many collaborations between the two.
In 1969, Jane and Serge Gainsbourg released the duet "Je t'aime... moi non plus" ("I love you... me neither").
The song was originally written for Brigitte Bardot by Gainsbourg. The song caused a scandal for its sexual explicitness.
The song was banned by radio stations in Italy, Spain, and the UK, arguably contributing to its commercial success all over Europe.
The song's fame is a result of its salacious lyrics (sung in French) against a background of female moaning and groaning, culminating in an orgasm at the song's conclusion.
Jane Birkin took a break from acting in 1971-72, but returned as Brigitte Bardot's lover in Don Juan (Or If Don Juan Were a Woman) in 1973.
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