Bernhardt, Sarah

bern'hart, Sarah (1844-), a French actress. She was of Jewish descent-her father, French, her mother, Dutch. She was born in Paris, but spent most of her childhood and youth in Amsterdam. Before Sarah was twenty years old she had won prizes for both tragedy and comedy at the Paris Conservatoire. Her career has been a brilliant one. She has acted in many European capitals, in the United States, South America, and Australia. Bernhardt is especially notable in roles requiring nervous tension and the display of passion.