Washington D.C. [USA] July 01(ANI): French-Italian actress Liliane Montevecchi, who personified elegant old-world French glamour, passed away at the age of 85.

Born in Paris in 1932, the Tony winner began dancing at the age of eight, marking her international career as a prima ballerina in Roland Petit's dance company.

She was lured to Hollywood in the 1950s, where Montevecchi became an MGM contract player, landing small roles in The Glass Slipper, reported the Hollywood Reporter.

In 1958, Montevecchi made her Broadway debut, replacing Collette Brosset in musical sketch revue La Plume de Ma Tante, a satire of French society.

In 1982 she drew the attention of critics and audiences for her performance in 'Nine', with Raúl Julia, for which she won both the Tony and Drama Desk Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

Seven years later she starred in Grand Hotel, earning a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

Montevecchi was a regular on cabaret stages in around the world until last year, touring in semi-autobiographical shows.

In 2013 she was honored by the French Minister of Culture as an "Officer of Arts and Culture" to France and the world at large.

On July 12, 2017, she joined Francesca Capetta and Stacy Sullivan for a birthday salute to late film star and recording artist Dean Martin in the Weill Recital Hall at New York's Carnegie Hall. (ANI)

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