Cook Islands 5 Dollars Silver Coin 2013 Brigitte Bardot, Hollywood Legends
Commemorative issue: Hollywood Legends Series - Bernard of Hollywood
Despite obscurity and lack of funds, Bruno Bernard (1912-1987) set up his first darkroom in the basement of his Hollywood apartment in 1940. Shortly thereafter, he moved his studio to the famous Sunset Strip. “No one knew the name Bernard, but they all knew Hollywood“, and hence the optical trademark signature Bernard of Hollywood, which ensured the image of glamour visually for decades, was created.
Bruno Bernard was considered as "Rembrandt of photography" and the “The king of Hollywood glamour” and Marilyn Monroe’s discoverer. In 1984 Bernard was the first still photographer to be honoured with an Oscar at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Obverse: Head of Queen Elizabeth II with tiara facing right.
Lettering: ELIZABETH II COOK ISLANDS 5 DOLLARS.
Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley.
Reverse: Brigitte Bardot photograph by Bruno Bernard and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Motion Pictures category at right (Classic film camera representing motion pictures).
Lettering: HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS Bernard of Hollywood TM 2013 BRIGITTE BARDOT.
Value: 5 Dollars = 5 New Zealand Dollars.
Metal: Silver (.925).
Weight: 25 g.
Diameter: 38.61 mm.
Shape: Round.
Mintage: 2500 pcs.
Partially coloured on relief.
Hollywood Legends
Brigitte Bardot Marlene Dietrich Ginger Rogers Anita Ekberg
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot (born 28 September 1934) is a French former actress, singer and fashion model, who later became an animal rights activist. She was one of the best known sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s and was widely referred to by her initials. Starting in 1969, Bardot became the official face of Marianne (who had previously been anonymous) to represent the liberty of France.
Bardot was an aspiring ballerina in early life. She started her acting career in 1952 and after appearing in 16 routine comedy films, with limited international release, became world-famous in 1957, with the controversial film And God Created Woman. She later starred in Jean-Luc Godard's 1963 film Le Mépris. For her role in Louis Malle's 1965 film Viva Maria! Bardot was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress. Bardot caught the attention of French intellectuals. She was the subject of Simone de Beauvoir's 1959 essay, The Lolita Syndrome, which described Bardot as a "locomotive of women's history" and built upon existentialist themes to declare her the first and most liberated woman of post-war France.
Bardot retired from the entertainment industry in 1973. During her career in show business, she starred in 47 films, performed in several musical shows and recorded over 60 songs. She was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1985 but refused to receive it. After her retirement, she established herself as an animal rights activist. During the 1990s, she generated controversy by criticizing immigration and Islam in France and has been fined five times for inciting racial hatred.