Here are 6 famous actresses from Italy were born in 1902:
Margherita Bagni (February 21, 1902 Turin-July 2, 1960 Rome) also known as Margherita Maria Bagna was an Italian actor and voice actor. She had one child, Nora Ricci.
Bagni began her acting career in the 1920s, making her film debut in "Il giglio infranto" (1926). Throughout her career, she appeared in over 50 films and worked with many renowned filmmakers of her time. Some of her notable roles include "La signora di tutti" (1934), "Gli uomini, che mascalzoni!" (1932), and "La corona di ferro" (1941).
In addition to her successful film career, Bagni was also a prolific voice actor. She dubbed the voices of many famous actresses, including Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, and Bette Davis, for the Italian versions of their films.
Bagni passed away in 1960 at the age of 58 due to a heart attack. Her daughter, Nora Ricci, also became a successful actress in Italy.
Bagni was celebrated for her versatility, captivating performances, and exceptional talent for voice acting. She was known to have a commanding presence both on screen and behind the microphone. Bagni was a close friend and collaborator of the renowned Italian filmmaker Luchino Visconti, and appeared in many of his films including "Ossessione" (1943), "La Terra Trema" (1948), and "Bellissima" (1951). In addition to her acting and voice acting work, Bagni was also a stage actress, working with the prestigious Piccolo Teatro di Milano under the direction of Giorgio Strehler. Her legacy and contribution to Italian cinema and theater continue to be celebrated and recognized today.
Tina Xeo (August 3, 1902 Massa Lubrense-July 12, 1992 Rome) also known as Ernesta Cucchiarelli was an Italian actor. Her children are called Amalia Gargiulo, Daisy Gargiulo, Luciana Claudio Gargiulo, Virginia Celano and Ruggero Celano.
Tina Xeo began her career as a theater actress, appearing in numerous productions throughout Italy in the 1920s and 1930s. She made her film debut in 1935 in the movie "Ma non รจ una cosa seria" and went on to appear in over 30 films throughout her career, often playing supporting roles.
Xeo is perhaps best known for her collaboration with director Federico Fellini. She appeared in several of his films, including "La Dolce Vita" (1960) and "8 1/2" (1963). She also worked with other renowned Italian directors such as Michelangelo Antonioni and Luchino Visconti.
Beyond her acting career, Xeo was also a talented painter and writer. She published several books and exhibited her paintings throughout Italy. In 1982, she was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for her contributions to the arts.
Tina Xeo passed away in Rome on July 12, 1992, leaving behind a rich legacy in Italian cinema and the arts.
In addition to her successful career in acting and the arts, Tina Xeo was also known for her political activism. She was a member of the Italian Communist Party and frequently used her platform as an actress to champion social and political causes. She was known for her outspokenness and fearless attitude both on and off screen. Xeo was also an advocate for women's rights and was involved in feminist activism during her lifetime.In recognition of her advocacy work, Xeo was awarded the Women of Europe Award in 1988. She remained active in the arts and politics until her passing in 1992, and continues to be remembered as an important figure in Italian culture and society.
Rosetta Tofano (March 5, 1902 Milan-April 7, 1960 Rome) also known as Rosa Cavallari was an Italian actor and costume designer. Her child is called Gilberto Tofano.
Rosetta Tofano began her career in the 1920s as a costume designer, working on numerous films throughout the decade. In the 1930s, she began taking on small roles as an actor and eventually transitioned into acting full time, appearing in over 50 films throughout her career. Her notable works include "Bellissima" (1951), "Miracle in Milan" (1951), and "La Dolce Vita" (1960).
Aside from her work in the film industry, Tofano also worked in the theatre and was a member of the Italian Actors Union. She was known for her striking beauty and charisma on screen, as well as her talent for bringing a character to life through her costumes.
Tofano passed away in 1960 at the age of 58 in Rome, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Italian cinema and theatre.
Tofano was born in Milan in 1902 to a family of actors and artists. Growing up, she was exposed to the world of theatre and art, which sparked her interest in the industry. After studying design and fashion in Milan, she began working as a costume designer in Rome, where she quickly gained recognition for her innovative designs and attention to detail.
In 1930, Tofano made her acting debut in the film "L'allegro cantante" and soon became a popular supporting player in Italian cinema. Her ability to switch between character roles and glamorous leads made her a versatile performer, and she continued to work steadily through the 1940s and 1950s.
Aside from her film work, Tofano was also a noted stage performer and worked extensively in the Italian theatre, particularly with the Piccolo Teatro di Milano. She was known for her commanding presence on stage and her ability to inhabit a wide range of characters, from tragic heroines to comic foils.
Tofano's personal life was often the subject of tabloid speculation, particularly her relationships with prominent figures in the Italian film and theatre communities. However, she remained fiercely private about her personal life and rarely gave interviews to the press.
Today, Tofano is remembered as one of the most talented actors and costume designers of her generation. Her impact on Italian cinema and theatre is still felt today, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and performers.
Pina Borione (May 25, 1902 Formello-October 9, 1988 Bologna) also known as Pina Borione Bianchi, Pina Bianchi or Giuseppina Borione was an Italian actor and voice actor.
She is best known for her voice acting work in Italian dubbing of foreign films. Her most notable voice acting role was for the character of Snow White in the Italian version of Disney's classic film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1938. Borione also acted in several Italian films during the 1920s and 1930s, mainly in supporting roles. She was married to the Italian film director and screenwriter Alessandro Blasetti from 1929 to 1943, and they had a son together. In her later years, Borione dedicated herself to teaching acting, and founded a drama school in Bologna.
Borione was a prolific voice actor, lending her voice to numerous foreign films which were dubbed into Italian, making them accessible to audiences in Italy. Her voice acting work includes the Italian version of "Bambi" in 1942 and "Cinderella" in 1950. In addition to her voice acting and acting career, Borione was also a playwright, having written a play titled "Il Cerchio si chiude" (The Circle Closes). In 1973, she received the Golden Grolla award for her contribution to Italian cinema. Her legacy continues as she inspired and trained numerous actors through her drama school in Bologna.
Francesca Braggiotti (October 17, 1902 Florence-February 25, 1998 Marbella) was an Italian dancer, dubber and actor. She had one child, Lily Lodge.
Francesca Braggiotti began her career as a dancer and performed throughout Europe, eventually becoming a lead dancer with the Ballets Russes. She later transitioned into voice acting, dubbing American and British films into Italian. In addition to her voice work, Braggiotti also acted in several Italian films. Through her career, she worked with acclaimed directors such as Vittorio De Sica and Federico Fellini. Braggiotti was also known for her social connections and was a popular figure in high society circles, frequently attending events with other influential members. She spent her later years in Marbella, Spain, where she passed away in 1998 at the age of 95.
During her time as a dancer with the Ballets Russes, Francesca Braggiotti was known for her energetic performances and her ability to captivate audiences. She toured extensively with the company, performing in cities such as Paris, London, and New York. Her talent and dedication earned her a reputation as one of the leading dancers of her time.
Braggiotti's transition into voice acting was a natural one, as she had always possessed a distinctive and expressive voice. She quickly became one of the most sought-after dubbers in Italy, lending her voice to some of the most iconic films of the 20th century. Some of her most notable dubbing roles included Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" and Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
In addition to her work in film, Braggiotti was also a dedicated philanthropist. She was involved in various charitable organizations throughout her life, working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and families in Italy and beyond.
Overall, Francesca Braggiotti was a multifaceted and talented individual who made significant contributions to the worlds of dance, film, and philanthropy. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of artists and performers.
Jia Ruskaja (January 6, 1902 Kerch-April 19, 1970 Rome) also known as Evgenija Borisenko or Eugenia Fyodorovna Borisenko was an Italian actor, choreographer and dancer.
Born to a Russian family, Jia Ruskaja began her career as a ballerina in the Soviet Union. She then moved to Germany where she became a member of the Berlin Opera Ballet and later joined the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo in France. After World War II, Ruskaja settled in Italy and turned her focus to acting, starring in several Italian films and television series. She also worked as a choreographer, creating dance sequences for Italian films such as "Cinema Paradiso" and "Ulysses' Gaze." Ruskaja was known for her stage presence, grace, and skill as a dancer, and was highly regarded by Italian audiences and critics alike. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Ruskaja also had a keen interest in fashion and was known for her impeccable style. She passed away in Rome in 1970.
During her career, Jia Ruskaja worked with many notable figures in the world of dance and film, including Sergei Diaghilev, George Balanchine, and Federico Fellini. She was also known for her dedication to preserving traditional Russian dance, and in 1957 founded the Italian Russian Ballet Academy. Ruskaja's legacy continues to inspire and influence dancers and artists around the world. In 2019, the Russian Cultural Institute in Rome held an exhibit honoring her life and career, showcasing her costumes, photographs, and personal belongings.