Raya Nita
Main achievement
French actress. She has collaborated with the most important directors and actors of the era
About
Nita Raya, born Raisa Gherșcovici on October 15, 1915, in Chișinău, Bessarabia, was a prominent figure in interwar French cinema and the post-World War II era. Having emigrated to France in 1926 with her family, she debuted in stage performances in 1933, and her film career spanned over two decades of intense activity. The young dancer and singer quickly established herself in the Parisian artistic scene, participating in over 20 film productions between 1933 and 1954, including notable films such as "Le roi des gangsters" (1935), "Chipée" (1938), and "Bécassine" (1940). Nita Raya's artistic activity unfolded within the context of elite Parisian culture of the interwar period. She worked with important directors of the time and was part of the Parisian revue scene, also being known for performing at the celebrated Folies-Bergère. Her multifaceted talent – dance, song, and acting – allowed for a versatile and appreciated career in French cinema, solidifying her presence in comedy productions and dramatic films that explored modern Parisian life. Nita Raya's personal life intersected with prominent figures of French art, being the life partner of actor and singer Maurice Chevalier from 1935 to 1945, a relationship also marked by the challenges of World War II. She lived a long and full life, passing away on March 25, 2015, in Trégastel, France, at the age of 99, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy in the history of French cinema.
