Brigitte Bardot 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. Bardot became the official face of Marianne to represent the liberty of France. She appearing in 16 routine comedy films with limited international release, became world-famous with the controversial film And God Created Woman. She later starred in film Le Mépris. Bardot was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress for her role in film Viva Maria! She was the subject of Simone de Beauvoir's essay, The Lolita Syndrome.