Delphine Chaneac

Delphine Chaneac is a pretty French actress and a successful model, but oddly enough, she first came to the attention of American audiences in a role that obscured her natural beauty. Chaneac had worked in French television and films for some time before she starred as Dren in Vincenzo Natali's independent science fiction film "Splice." Dren was created in a laboratory by two geneticists played by Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley. For the role, Chaneac's eyes were digitally moved further apart, and her body was digitally manipulated to be more birdlike. The character doesn't "speak," per se, but Chaneac, who is also a singer, was involved in creating her nonverbal vocalizations. It was a physically demanding role, and earned Chaneac an international fanbase.

Before that, her only experience in Hollywood had been a bit part in the remake of "The Pink Panther." Since the success of "Splice," Chaneac has continued to work in French made-for-TV films, and made another independent American film, the gangster drama "For the Love of Money," based on a true story about an Israeli criminal who moves to Los Angeles, and marries a beautiful woman (played by Chaneac), but can't escape his dangerous past. The film also starred James Caan and Paul Sorvino.