Here are 5 famous actresses from Italy were born in 1920:
Franca Valeri (July 31, 1920 Milan-) also known as Alma Franca Maria Norsa, Franca Norsa or Franca Maria Norsa is an Italian actor, screenwriter and author. She has one child, Stefania Bonfadelli.
Franca Valeri is considered one of the most distinguished Italian actresses of her time, and she has made significant contributions to the Italian film industry. She began her acting career in the theatre and then became a leading lady of Italian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. She has acted in more than 60 films, including many comedies, and has collaborated with several prominent Italian directors, including Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti.
Some of her notable performances include her leading role in the film "Miseria e nobiltà" (Misery and Nobility) in 1954, and her performance in "Il Vedovo" (The Widower) in 1959. She also co-wrote the screenplay for “Moralmente Scomodo” and “Casanova '70,” both directed by Mario Monicelli.
Apart from her acting career, Franca Valeri is also an accomplished author and writer. She has published several books, including her autobiography "Vado avanti e cambio vita" (I Move Forward and Change Life), which became a bestseller in Italy.
In recognition of her contributions to the Italian performing arts, Franca Valeri has been conferred several awards, including the Golden Pen Award in 2013 and the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival in 2019.
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Dina Sassoli (August 5, 1920 Rimini-March 24, 2008 Rome) was an Italian actor.
Dina Sassoli began her acting career in small roles in Italian films during the 1940s. Her breakthrough role came in the 1951 film "Anna", directed by the celebrated filmmaker Alberto Lattuada. She went on to work with several other notable Italian directors including Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti.
In addition to her film work, Sassoli also had a successful career on stage, performing in plays by Italian playwrights such as Luigi Pirandello and Eduardo De Filippo.
Sassoli was known for her versatility as an actor, playing both dramatic and comedic roles throughout her career. She was also recognized for her beauty and elegance, often playing sophisticated and refined characters on screen.
Later in life, Sassoli became a respected acting coach, working with young actors in Italy. She continued to act in films and on stage well into her 70s, earning critical acclaim for her performances.
Dina Sassoli passed away in 2008 at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy as one of Italy's most talented and beloved actors.
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Fedora Barbieri (June 4, 1920 Trieste-March 5, 2003 Florence) was an Italian singer and actor. She had two children, Franco Barlozzetti and Ugo Barlozzetti.
Fedora Barbieri was best known for her dramatic mezzo-soprano voice, which she used to great effect in performing operas by some of the greatest composers. She made her debut in the 1940s in the title role of "Carmen" and went on to perform at many of the world's most prestigious opera houses. In addition to her operatic work, Barbieri also appeared in films and television shows. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the title of "Distinguished Artist of the Republic" from the Italian government. In her later years, she taught at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena.
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Lia Zoppelli (November 16, 1920 Milan-January 2, 1988 Milan) a.k.a. Lia Marini was an Italian actor.
She began her career in the late 1940s and quickly became known for her talent and versatility as an actress. Over the course of her career, she appeared in nearly 50 films, including "Roman Holiday" (1953), "It Happened in Rome" (1957), and "The Tempest" (1958).
Zoppelli was also a prolific stage actress, performing in a number of plays in Milan and throughout Italy. She was particularly celebrated for her performances in the plays of Luigi Pirandello, one of Italy's greatest playwrights.
In addition to her work in film and theater, Zoppelli was also a respected television actress, appearing in several popular series throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Zoppelli passed away in Milan in 1988 at the age of 67. She is remembered as one of Italy's most talented and accomplished actresses.
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Marisa Vernati (June 21, 1920 Rome-February 1, 1988 Rome) was an Italian actor and singer.
She began her career as a singer in the 1940s, performing in nightclubs and on the radio before transitioning to acting in the 1950s. Vernati appeared in numerous Italian films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, often playing supporting roles. Some of her more notable appearances were in "The Nights of Cabiria" (1957), "La Dolce Vita" (1960), and "8½" (1963), all directed by Federico Fellini.
In addition to her film work, Vernati also had a successful career in the theater, performing in productions both in Italy and abroad. She was known for her dynamic stage presence and powerful singing voice.
Vernati continued to work in film and theater throughout the 1970s, but her health began to decline in the 1980s. She passed away in Rome in 1988 at the age of 67. Despite her relatively short career, Vernati is remembered as an important figure in Italian cinema and theater.
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