1 de junho de 2025

Great Actors of Classic Italian Cinema: Legendary Stars and Iconic Films

Discover the greatest actors of classic Italian cinema and the unforgettable films that made them icons of international film history.

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Delve into the richness of classic Italian cinema and discover the great actors who immortalized this golden age of cinema. From intense performances to charismatic performances, these icons transcended the screen, influencing generations of filmmakers and film lovers around the world. Prepare yourself for a nostalgic journey that celebrates the talent and genius of the stars who shaped the identity of Italian cinema, leaving a legacy of memorable films that continue to delight and inspire.

This exploration of the best actors of classic Italian cinema is not only a tribute to legendary figures, but also a guide to rediscovering or rediscovering cinematic masterpieces. By highlighting their artistic contributions and the most iconic films of their careers, we aim to provide an essential overview to understand the depth and beauty of Italian cinema. Join us in this celebration of timeless talent that continues to resonate through the decades, proving that the magic of these icons remains alive and vibrant.

Alberto Sordi (1920 – 2003): actor and director, he also dubbed Oliver Hardy into Italian. In his career he has made more than 150 films.

Aldo Fabrizi (1905 – 1990): In addition to being an actor, he was also a director. Among his favorite films are Rome, Open City.

Alida Valli (1921 – 2006): with a striking face, he abandoned his studies to dedicate himself to the seventh art. He also worked in France and the United States.

Angela Lavagna: Among the best-known films of this beautiful actress are The Beautiful Moleira (1955), L’ultima violenza and L’amica delle mogli (1970).

Ana Magnani (1908 – 1973): one of the greatest talents Italy has ever known, she is recognized for her dramatic talent and expressive characters.

Antonella Lualdi (1931):actress and singer, appeared in Italian and French films in the 50s and 60s. Her most famous is Le rouge et le noir, alongside the French Gerard Philipe.

Ciccio Ingrassia (1922 – 2003):The actor appeared in over 130 films and worked alongside such well-known directors as Fellini, Comencini and Pasoline. His performance in Amarcord is unforgettable.

Claudia Cardinale (1939): The actress also began her career as a model and acted in notable films such as Il Gattopardo and Rocco i suoi fratelli, by Visconti. In addition to working with Fellini.

Daniela Bianchi (1942): known as the Italian Bond girl, she debuted at the age of sixteen.

 

Daniela Rocca (1937 – 1995): From model to actress, she worked alongside Marcello Mastroianni in Divorce Italian Style as the ugly woman.

Maria Luisa Mangini (1928 – 2011): better known as Dorian Gray, she participated in many films alongside Toto and also in Fellini’s La Notti di Cabiria.

Elsa Martinelli (1935 – 2017): The actress also began her career as a model and then went on to do small roles. She won a Silver Bear in Berlin for the film Donatella.

Francesca Bertini (1892 – 1985): The actress was famous during the silent film era and began her career as a child, in the theater.

Franco Citti (1935): His most famous film is Accattone (1961), but the general public knows him best for the 1972 film The Godfather. He is also a director.

Franco Franchi (1928 – 1992): one of the best-known Italian actor, comedian and singer. He starred in many comedies, especially with Ciccio Ingrassia

Franco Nero (1931): This is one of the best known by the Brazilian public, as he participated in several American films such as Django Unchained and Letters to Juliet, but his best appearances are in westerns.

Gian Maria Volonté (1933 – 1994): He was one of the most politically engaged actors in Italy, as he was a member of the Communist Party. He also received many awards around the world.

Gina Lollobrigida (1927):The beautiful actress was also a model and was hugely successful in America in the 1950s.

Giulietta Masina (1921 – 1994): one of the best actresses in the world, she became known for her partnership with Fellini, to whom she was also married.

Isa Miranda (1909 – 1982): In 1949, she received the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in Au-delà des grilles.

Isabella Rossellini (1952): Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini’s daughter is successful both in America and in European films.

Lea Massari (1933): He performed between the 50s and 90s and won a Special David di Donatello Award.

Marcello Mastroianni (1924 – 1996): considered Italy’s greatest actor and one of the best in the world, he worked alongside Sophia Loren in several films and was Fellini’s favorite.

Mariangela Melato (1941 – 2013): Starting his career in theater, he worked with great directors such as Dario Fo, Luchino Visconti and Luca Ronconi. His career in cinema began in 1969 and during the 70s he achieved international success.

 

Monica Vitti (1931):The actress is well known for her roles in films directed by Michelangelo Antonioni during the 60s. She gained international prominence for her role in “1avventura.

Ornella Muti (1955): He made his debut in 1970 in the film La più bella moglie. Despite working in several Italian films, he also starred in American films, such as Flash Gordon and Oscar, alongside Sylvester Stallone.

Pier Angeli (1932 – 1971): The Italian woman won the heart of James Dean and even worked in some films in America before returning to Italy.

Renato Salvatori (1933 0 1988): Trained at Luchino Visconti’s drama school, he was considered one of the great heartthrobs.

Rossano Brazzi (1916 – 1994): average actor, he also directed films and appeared in numerous American films, always as the Italian heartthrob.

Silvana Mangano (1930 – 1989): She began her life as a dancer and also worked as a model. She received several offers from Hollywood, but preferred to stay in Italian cinema.

Sophia Loren (1934): The most famous Italian star began her career under the direction of director Vittorio de Sicca and was very successful with her partnership with Marcello Mastrioanni. She also made some films in America, but they were not as remarkable as her Italian career.

Stefania Sandrelli (1946):The actress is famous for her roles in Italian comedies in the 60s. Like other actresses, she was noticed after a beauty contest.

Terence Hill (1939): This actor is also well known to the Brazilian public for the duo he formed with Bud Spencer.

Toni Servillo (1959): Toni Servillo is an Italian actor and theatre director. He gained international recognition in 2008 when he played Giulio Andreotti in Il Divo and Franco in Gomorrah, for which he was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Totò (1898 – 1967): was one of the most famous comedians in Italian cinema.

Valentina Cortese (1925): In 1951, she starred in Robert Wise’s film The House on Telegraph Hill, where she co-starred with Richard Basehart. Cortese married Basehart that same year and the two had a son.

Virna Lisi (1936 – 2014): As a teenager, he performed in musicals alongside comedian Totó, and also starred in American films such as How to Murder Your Wife (1965) alongside Jack Lemmon.

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