Sarah Bernhardt ( 23 Octobe 1844 in Paris , France â `` 26 March 1923 ) was a French stage actress , and has often been called `` the most famous actress in the history of the world '' . Sarah Bernhardt ( c. 22\/23 October 1844 â '' 26 March 1923 ) was a French stage and early film actress , and has been referred to as `` the most famous actress the world has ever known '' .