Léonie Simaga

Léonie Simaga, born in 1978 in Marseille, is a distinguished French actress and director, who was a prominent member of the Comédie-Française from 2010 until 2015. Her multicultural background includes a Breton mother, who pursued studies in Rennes, and a Malian father, an agricultural engineer. Simaga's family history is marked by valor; her Breton grandfather, Jean-Baptiste Le Gall, received the Legion of Honor for his bravery during the liberation of Brest in 1944.

Simaga's academic journey began at the prestigious House of Education of the Legion of Honor, followed by advanced studies in hypokhâgne and khâgne at Parisian high schools. She earned a diploma from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris in 2002 and holds a degree in history. Her passion for theater led her to the Asnières Studio-theater and later to the National Higher Conservatory of Dramatic Art from 2002 to 2005.

During her tenure at the Comédie-Française, Simaga starred in significant productions, including Racine's *Esther* and Marie NDiaye's *Papa doit manger* in 2004. She notably portrayed the Infanta in Corneille's *Le Cid* during the 2005-2006 season and later took on the role of Chimène in the same play. In addition to acting, she directed several notable works for the Comédie-Française, such as Nathalie Sarraute's *Pour un oui ou pour un non* and Shakespeare's *Othello*. She concluded her time with the company at the end of 2015, leaving behind a legacy of artistic contribution.