Maria-Hélène Schneider (27 March 1952 – 3 February 2011), known professionally as Maria Schneider, was a French actress. She is best known for co-starring opposite Marlon Brando in the controversial Last Tango in Paris (1972), which was noted for its graphic sexuality. Schneider later revealed she was not informed about a simulated rape until moments before it was filmed, an event she described as traumatic and humiliating. Although Michelangelo Antonioni's The Passenger (1975) showcased her abilities, a reputation for walking out of films during production resulted in her becoming unwelcome in the industry. However, she re-established stability in her personal and professional life in the early 1980s, and became an advocate for equality and improving the working conditions for actresses. She continued acting in film and TV until a few years before she died in 2011 after a long illness.
