(Utrecht 28 September 1952 / Netherlands 18 October 2012)
IMBD PROFILE
Biography
Sylvia Kristel was born on September 28, 1952 in Utrecht, Netherlands. She first came to international attention in the early 1970s with Emmanuelle (1974) for director Just Jaeckin. Then two more sequels followed in which she also starred. Included in her credits are a long list of European films including the film "Der Liebesschüler" (1974), in which she played the lead. In 1979, she came to Hollywood, appearing in "Concorde - Airport 79" (1979) for producer Jennings Lang, who also featured her in the comedy "The Nude Bomb" (1980).
However, this was all a prelude to the most successful film in Kristel's career -- "Private Lessons" (1981) -- in which she played the housekeeper who initiates 15-year-old Eric Brown to the wonders of sex. The film grossed over $50,000,000 worldwide.
TRIVIA
Began modeling at 17.Entered the Miss TV Europe contest and won, which led to her movie career.Has a reported IQ of 164 and skipped four grades in school.Spoke four languages (Dutch, English, Italian and French)
Had a strict religious upbringing.Originally planned on being a teacher.Worked in a bar, as a secretary and even pumped gas while struggling to succeed as a dancer prior to becoming a model and an actress.
