Jessica Lange: Early Portraits by Giancarlo Botti in Paris, 1976

In December 1976, the Italian photographer Giancarlo Botti captured a striking series of portraits of American actress Jessica Lange in Paris. At the age of 27, Lange was on the verge of international fame, visiting France to promote her film debut in the 1976 remake of King Kong, a role that earned her a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year. The 1970s marked a transformative period in Lange’s life, as she evolved from a bohemian art student and model into a globally recognized, though initially controversial, actress. After leaving the University of Minnesota, Lange moved to Paris in 1971 to study mime theater under Étienne Decroux and joined the Opéra-Comique as a dancer. Her discovery by fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez led to a modeling career with Wilhelmina agency. Returning to New York in 1973, she balanced modeling with work as a waitress. Lange’s film debut as Dwan in King Kong initially received harsh critical reviews despite the film’s box-office success. Nevertheless, she earned the Golden Globe award. Following this, she dedicated more than two years to intensive drama training, aiming to establish herself as a serious actress. Botti’s photographs from Paris capture Lange at a pivotal moment between her early artistic endeavors and her emerging Hollywood career, offering a rare glimpse into the young actress’s elegance and presence before her rise to stardom.