Rossana Podestà (born Carla Dora Podestà; 20 June 1934 – 10 December 2013) was an Italian actress who worked mainly in Italy from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Biography

Podestà was born in

Tripoli Tripoli or Tripolis (from , meaning "three cities") may refer to: Places Greece *Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece * Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in the Pelasgiotis district, Thessaly, near Larissa ...

in the Italian

colony A colony is a territory subject to a form of foreign rule, which rules the territory and its indigenous peoples separated from the foreign rulers, the colonizer, and their ''metropole'' (or "mother country"). This separated rule was often orga ...

Libya Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to Egypt–Libya border, the east, Sudan to Libya–Sudan border, the southeast, Chad to Chad–L ...

. She spent her first years there, moving with her parents to

Rome Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...

after

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. At sixteen she was discovered by director

Léonide Moguy Léonide Moguy (14 July 1899 – 21 April 1976) was a Ukrainian, French and Italian film director, screenwriter and film editor. Moguy was born Leonid Mohylevskyi () in Odessa, Odesa, Russian Empire in 1899 in a Jewish family. He lived in Soviet ...

during the preparation of the cast for the film '' Domani è un altro giorno''; this inaugurated her film career. She participated in sixty films, both in Italy and abroad.

Marriage

In Italy, she resided in

Dubino Dubino () is a (municipality) in the Province of Sondrio in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about northeast of Milan and about west of Sondrio. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,270 and an area of .All demographics and oth ...

(

Sondrio province The province of Sondrio (), also known as Valtellina (the major valley of the province) is a province in the Lombardy region of Italy. Its provincial capital is the city of Sondrio. As of 2024, it has a population of 179,165. History The provi ...

). She married movie producer

Marco Vicario Marco Vicario (20 September 1925 – 10 September 2020) was an Italian film actor, screenwriter, film producer and director. He appeared in 23 films between 1950 and 1958. He also wrote for 13 films, produced 12 and directed a further 11. He ...

, and they later divorced. From 1980 she lived with

Walter Bonatti Walter Bonatti (; 22 June 1930 – 13 September 2011) was an Italian people, Italian mountaineer, alpinist, explorer and journalist. He was noted for many climbing achievements, including a Solo climbing, solo climb of a new alpine climbing route ...

, a journalist and mountain explorer. He died alone in 2011, aged 81, at a private clinic; its management would not allow his partner to be with him because the two were not married. On 10 December 2013, Podestà died in

, aged 79.

Acting career

Podestà's most memorable role was as Helen in ''

Helen of Troy Helen (), also known as Helen of Troy, or Helen of Sparta, and in Latin as Helena, was a figure in Greek mythology said to have been the most beautiful woman in the world. She was believed to have been the daughter of Zeus and Leda (mythology), ...

'', produced by

Robert Wise Robert Earl Wise (September 10, 1914 – September 14, 2005) was an American filmmaker. He won the Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for his musical films ''West Side Story'' (1961) and ''The Sound of Music'' (1965). He was als ...

in 1956. She could not speak

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

so she learned her lines by rote with a voice coach. The movie gave Podestà international exposure, and she performed alongside a young

Brigitte Bardot Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot ( ; ; born 28 September 1934), often referred to by her initials B.B., is a French former actress, singer, and model as well as an animal rights activist. Famous for portraying characters with Hedonism, hedonistic life ...

. Thanks to her starring role in the Mexican film '' Rossana'', she became very popular in Latin America. Podestà also starred in the movie '' Ulisse'' (1955), directed by

Mario Camerini Mario Camerini (6 February 1895 – 4 February 1981) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. Camerini began his career in the film industry in 1920, working for his cousin the director Augusto Genina. Camerini went on to direct his own fi ...

, and in the sixties and seventies she acted in some romantic movies, including ''Paolo il caldo'' and ''Il prete sposato'' which led to a double page of five half-naked pictures in the US ''Playboy'' of March 1966. Under the headline "Trio Con Brio" featuring European actresses, she appeared alongside Christiane Schmidtmer (from Germany) and

Shirley Anne Field Shirley Anne Field (born Shirley Broomfield; 27 June 1936 – 10 December 2023) was an English actress who performed on stage, film and television from 1955 until her death. She was prominent during the British New Wave. Early life Shirley Bro ...

(from the UK). Her last performance was in '' Secrets Secrets'' (1985), directed by

Giuseppe Bertolucci Giuseppe Bertolucci (27 February 1947 – 16 June 2012) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 26 films between 1972 and 2012. He was the younger brother of Bernardo Bertolucci. Selected filmography * ''Berlinguer, I Lov ...

. She died on 10 December 2013.

Selected filmography

*1950: ''

Strano appuntamento ''Strano appuntamento'' is a 1951 Italian film directed by Dezsö Ákos Hamza. Cast *Umberto Spadaro ... Rossi *Leda Gloria ... Signora Rossi *Rossana Podestà ... Their daughter * Enzo Staiola ... Older son (as Enzo Stajola) * Stefano Guar ...

'' - Their daughter *1951: '' Tomorrow Is Another Day'' - Stefania *1951: ''

The Seven Dwarfs to the Rescue ''I sette nani alla riscossa'', internationally released as ''The Seven Dwarfs to the Rescue'' in 1965, is a 1951 Italian fantasy-comedy film A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of visual art that simulates expe ...

'' - Princess Snow White *1951: '' Cops and Robbers'' - Liliana Bottoni *1952: ''

Viva il cinema! ''Viva il cinema!'' is a 1952 Italian comedy film directed by Giorgio Baldaccini and Enzo Trapani. Cast * Delia Scala as Palmina * Fiorenzo Fiorentini as Tonino * Virgilio Riento as Gambalesta * Corrado Alba as Ugo * Marilyn Buferd as Ti ...

'' - Marisa *1952: ''

Gli Angeli del quartiere ''The Angels of the District'' () is a 1952 Italian drama film directed by Carlo Borghesio and starring Rossana Podestà, Jacques Sernas and Marisa Merlini.Borin p.72 The film's sets were designed by the art director Luigi Ricci while the score wa ...

'' - Lisa *1952: ''

I, Hamlet ''I, Hamlet'' (Italian: ''Io, Amleto'') is a 1952 Italian comedy film directed by Giorgio Simonelli and starring Erminio Macario, Franca Marzi and Rossana Podestà. A parody of William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Hamlet'', its lack of commercial succ ...

'' - Ofelia *1952: ''

The Phantom Musketeer ''The Phantom Musketeer'' () is a 1952 Italian historical adventure film directed by Max Calandri and starring Vasito Bastino, Tamara Lees, Rossana Podestà and Clara Calamai.Dalmonte & Baroni p.90 The film's sets were designed by the art directo ...

'' - Ornella *1952: '' Don Lorenzo'' *1953: ''Viva la rivista!'' *1953: ''

Finishing School A finishing school focuses on teaching young women social graces and upper-class cultural rites as a preparation for entry into society. The name reflects the fact that it follows ordinary school and is intended to complete a young woman's ...

'' - Pereira *1953: '' Addio, figlio mio!'' - Elsa *1953: '' Rossana'' - Rossana *1953: '' Voice of Silence'' *1954: ''

Ulysses Ulysses is the Latin name for Odysseus, a legendary Greek hero recognized for his intelligence and cunning. He is famous for his long, adventurous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, as narrated in Homer's Odyssey. Ulysses may also refer ...

'' - Nausicaa *1955: '' Le ragazze di San Frediano'' - Tosca *1955: ''Nosotros dos'' - María Pedrosa *1955: ''Non scherzare con le donne'' *1955: ''

Songs of Italy ''Songs of Italy'' () is a 1955 Italian musical film directed by Domenico Paolella and starring Marco Vicario, Rossana Podestà and Silvana Pampanini. It was shot in Ferraniacolor. This film was one of several musicarelli directed by Paolella. ...

'' *1956: ''

'' - Helen *1956: ''Playa prohibida'' - Isabella *1956: ''

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

'' - Doña Isabella *1958: '' The Amorous Corporal'' - Bethi *1958: '' Raw Wind in Eden'' - Costanza Varno *1958: ''

The Sword and the Cross ''The Sword and the Cross'' () is a 1958 Italian religious drama film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Yvonne De Carlo as Mary Magdalene. Shot in English and later dubbed in Italian, the film was released in the United States in 19 ...

'' - Marta *1959: ''

Temptation Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals.Webb, J.R. (Sep 2014). Incorporating Spirituality into Psychology of temptation: Conceptualization, measurement, and clinical implications. Sp ...

'' - Caterina *1959: ''Un vaso de whisky'' - María *1960: ''

Fury of the Pagans Fury or FURY may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Comics * ''Fury'' (1994 one-shot) * ''Fury'' (2001 series) * ''Fury'' (2023 one-shot) Fictional characters * Bryan Fury, a Tekken character * Fury, the main protagonist of '' Darksiders ...

'' - Leonora *1961: ''La grande vallata'' *1961: '' Slave of Rome'' - Antea *1962: '' Alone Against Rome'' - Fabiola *1962: '' The Golden Arrow'' - Jamila *1963: ''

Sodom and Gomorrah In the Abrahamic religions, Sodom and Gomorrah () were two cities destroyed by God for their wickedness. Sodom and Gomorrah are repeatedly invoked throughout the Hebrew Bible, Deuterocanonical texts, and the New Testament as symbols of sin, di ...

'' - Shuah *1963: ''

The Virgin of Nuremberg ''The Virgin of Nuremberg'' () (aka ''Horror Castle'') is a 1963 Cinema of Italy, Italian horror film directed by Anthony Dawson (film director), Anthony Dawson. Plot Mary discovers that in the German castle of her husband someone has put into ...

'' - Mary Hunter *1964: '' The Naked Hours'' - Carla *1964: ''

Last Plane to Baalbek ''Last Plane to Baalbek'' (also known as ''Operation Baalbeck'') is a 1964 Eurospy film directed by Marcello Giannini and Hugo Fregonese.'' Cahiers du cinéma'', Editions 161-176, 1965. It is a coproduction between Italy (where the film is known a ...

'' - Isabel Moore *1965: '' Seven Golden Men'' - Giorgia *1966: ''

Seven Golden Men Strike Again ''Seven Golden Men Strike Again'' () is a 1966 film directed by Marco Vicario. It is the sequel of '' Seven Golden Men''. Plot The Seven Golden Men successfully pull off their gold heist at the Commercial Bank of Italy, but just as they are abo ...

'' - Giorgia *1970: '' The Swinging Confessors'' - Silvia *1971: ''

Man of the Year __NOTOC__ Person of the Year, Man of the Year or Woman of the Year is an award given to an individual by any type of organization. Most often, it is given by a newspaper or other news outlet to annually recognize a public figure. Such awards hav ...

'' - Cocò Lampugnani *1972: '' L'uccello migratore'' - Delia Benetti *1973: ''

The Sensual Man ''The Sensual Man'' (, also known as ''The Sensuous Sicilian'') is a 1974 Italian comedy film written and directed by Marco Vicario. It is loosely based on the novel of the same name written by Vitaliano Brancati. It was shot in Catania, Sicily a ...

'' - Lilia *1975: '' Il gatto mammone'' - Rosalia *1976: ''

Il letto in piazza ''Sex Diary'' () is a 1976 Italian comedy film written and directed by . It is based on a novel written by . Plot Cast *Renzo Montagnani as Luca Reali *Rossana Podestà as Serena *John Ireland as Mr. Milton * Sherry Buchanan as Jennifer ...

'' - Serena *1977: '' Pane, burro e marmellata'' - Simona *1979: ''7 ragazze di classe'' - Ivonne *1980: ''

Sunday Lovers ''Sunday Lovers'' is a 1980 internationally co-produced romantic comedy film directed by Bryan Forbes, Gene Wilder, Dino Risi and Édouard Molinaro. It stars Roger Moore, Gene Wilder, Priscilla Barnes, Lynn Redgrave, Denholm Elliott and Kathl ...

'' - Clara (segment "Armando's Notebook") *1980: ''Tranquille donne di campagna'' - Anna Maldini *1983: ''

Hercules Hercules (, ) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures. The Romans adapted the Gr ...

'' - Hera *1985: '' Secrets Secrets'' - Maria, Rosa's Mother (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Podesta, Rossana 1934 births 2013 deaths People from Tripoli, Libya Italian film actresses Italian colonial people in Libya Libyan people of Italian descent Libyan emigrants to Italy