Mireille Balin was a French actress born on January 20, 1917, in Paris, France. She gained fame in the 1930s and 1940s for her roles in films such as La Grande Illusion and L'Atalante. Balin was known for her beauty and talent, becoming a prominent figure in French cinema during that era. Her career was interrupted by World War II, during which she faced challenges due to her Jewish heritage. After the war, Balin struggled to regain her former prominence in the film industry. She passed away on January 17, 2007, in Cannes, France, leaving behind a legacy in French film history.