Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot often referred to by her initials B.B. is a French former actress and singer, and animal rights activist. Famous for portraying sexually emancipated personae with hedonistic lifestyles, she was one of the best known sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s. Born and raised in Paris, Bardot was an aspiring ballerina in her early life. She started her acting career in 1952.For her role in Louis Malle's 1965 film Viva Maria! she was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actress.