Jane March is a British actress and former model, who gained international fame for her role as Jeanne in the 1992 erotic thriller film “The Lover.”
March, whose birth name is Jane March Horwood, was born on March 20, 1973, in Edgware, London, England. She grew up in a working-class family and attended a local secondary school. Jane March’s mother is of Vietnamese and Chinese descent, while her father is English, making her half English, quarter Chinese and quarter Vietnamese.
During her teenage years, March developed an interest in acting and modeling. She began her career as a model, appearing in various fashion magazines and campaigns. Her modeling work eventually led to opportunities in the film industry.
Having been noticed on the cover of Just Seventeen magazine, the French director Jean-Jacques Annaud selected her to portray the female protagonist in his 1992 film, The Lover.
Entering Erotic Drama
The Lover
March’s breakthrough came when she was cast as the lead in the 1992 film “The Lover” (1992), based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras and directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud.
The film stars Jane March as the young French girl, referred to as “the girl” or “Jeanne,” and Tony Leung Ka-fai as the wealthy Chinese man, referred to as “the Chinaman” or “the lover.”
Set in 1929 French Indochina (now Vietnam), “The Lover” tells the story of a passionate and illicit love affair between a young French girl from a financially struggling family and an older Chinese man from a wealthy background. The film explores their complex relationship, social barriers, and the cultural clashes that arise from their different backgrounds.
“The Lover” received significant attention and controversy upon its release due to its explicit sexual content. However, it also garnered critical acclaim for its sensual atmosphere, beautiful cinematography, and the performances of its leads. Jane March’s portrayal of Jeanne, in particular, was praised for its sensuality and vulnerability.
The film achieved international success and became a notable entry in the erotic drama genre. It remains one of the most well-known roles in Jane March’s career and helped establish her as an actress of considerable talent.
Color of Night
March followed up The Lover with 1994’s “Color of Night”, a psychological thriller film directed by Richard Rush. The movie stars Bruce Willis as Dr. Bill Capa, a psychologist who moves to Los Angeles after a traumatic experience. Jane March plays Rose, a mysterious young woman who becomes involved in Capa’s life.
“Color of Night” gained attention for its explicit sexual content and for featuring a brief scene of full-frontal male nudity from Bruce Willis, which was uncommon for a mainstream Hollywood star at the time. The film also generated controversy and received mixed reviews from critics, who criticized its convoluted plot and tonal inconsistencies.
Despite its mixed reception, “Color of Night” found a cult following over the years. The film’s psychological elements, neo-noir style, and twist-filled narrative have contributed to its status as a notable entry in the erotic thriller genre.
After Color of Night, March starred in a couple forgettable erotic dramas and then took a detour into the supernatural and fantasy genre.
Later Career
Tarzan and the Lost City
In 1998 she starred in Tarzan and the Lost City with Casper Van Diem, who was riding high of the success off Starship Troopers.
The reception for “Tarzan and the Lost City” was generally negative. The film received mostly unfavorable reviews from critics. It currently holds a 19% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One reviewer remarked, “Casper Van Dien makes for a handsome Tarzan, but Tarzan and the Lost City is a banana peel away from laughable.”
March’s subsequent projects included "Dark Prince: The True Story of Dracula", "The Stone Merchant" and "Stalker", however, these films failed to make a significant impact, and March’s acting career began to wane.
Exit From Hollywood
March’s last role came in 2013 for the movie Jack The Giant Killer, where she played the character of Serena. Although Jane March hasn’t officially stated why she quit Hollywood and retired from acting.
Richard Rush, the director of Color of Night suggested that following the release of his 1994 movie, Jane March continued to receive numerous offers from Hollywood, however her husband at the time Carmine Zozzora imposed a condition that required the studios to appoint him as the producer for any film featuring March. Most studios declined to comply with Zozzora’s request, which ultimately limited March’s opportunities to star in additional films.
Another theory suggest that she might have been aged out of Hollywood. To be “aged out” of Hollywood means that an actor or actress reaches an age where they are considered too old or no longer suitable for certain types of roles in the entertainment industry. It implies that there is a perception or belief that their age prevents them from being cast in leading roles or diminishes their marketability.
As actors get older, they may find it increasingly difficult to secure roles, particularly those that require youthfulness or fit within the industry’s conventional beauty standards. The entertainment industry often places a strong emphasis on youth and the appearance of youth, which can result in older actors being sidelined or overlooked for significant opportunities.
Where is Jane March Now?
Jane March has seemingly disappeared from the spotlight and has chosen to live a super private life. She has not acted in over 10 years. She has no social media profiles and she hasn’t given any recent interviews. Her last public interview came in 2013.
Wherever she may be, we hope that she is living her best life.
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