Claudia Cardinale - Biography

Date of birth (location)

Claudia Cardinale was born in Tunis from Sicilian parents on April 1939. Her family moved to Italy in 1958: Claudia had already played in a small film in Tunis, but she didn’t think she would become an actress: she wanted to be a teacher. And yet, due to a set of unexpected circumstances, she attended without enthusiasm the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome.

Filmography as: Actress, Notable TV guest appearances

But she didn't do too well, and so, convinced that her French accent didn’t help, she decides to quit. Thanks to a photograph, published in a magazine, she obtained an unexpected contract with Franco Cristaldi’s Vides. The actress remembers that he guided her with far-sightedness: when she was given secondary roles, it was only in very important films. For example, in Mario Monicelli’s "I SOLITI IGNOTI" ("Big Deal", 1958) or Pietro Germi’s "UN MALEDETTO IMBROGLIO" ("The Facts of Murder", 1959), or F. Maselli's "I DELFINI" ("The Dauphins", 1960). In that period, an event destined to play an important role in her life and career occurred: the birth of an illegitimate son, who was later adopted by Cristaldi when the producer became Claudia’s husband (1967). On that occasion, her character and temperament were fully manifested: Cardinale faced with dignity the gossips, she refused to reveal the name of the father and she brought up the child alone.

Because of her Mediterranean beauty, (especially her eyes, capable of innocent, malicious and worried expressions), and of her subtly internalized acting, she was chosen for "ROCCO E I SUOI 'FRATELLI" ("Rocco and his Brothers", 1960), by Luchino Visconti, who gave her the chance to achieve new goals. In 1961 and 1963 she showed her professional ability in Valerio Zurlini’s "LA RAGAZZA CON LA VALIGIA", a very intense film, and in Luigi Comencini’s "LA RAGAZZA DI BUBE", where she portrayed the painful and human truth of the protagonist. Meanwhile, she had also appeared films, where her beauty was the key element: Mauro Bolognini’s "BELL'ANTONIO", (1966) and "VIACCIA" ("Lovemakers", 1961); where she had the role of a l9th century prostitute, and in Visconti’s "GATTOPARDO" ("The Leopard", 1963), where, performing the beautiful Angelica, she convincingly conducted herself in an aristocratic world. Since she had always been dubbed for her raucous voice, the critics were perplexed when the actress stated that she wanted to act with her own voice. Though it was very difficult for her, she succeeded also thanks to her participation in Federico Fellini’s "OTTO E MEZZO", her hollywoodian interpretations in "LA PANTERA ROSA" ("The Pink Panther", 1963); "IL CIRCO E LA SUA GRANDE AVVENTURA" ("Circus world", 1964) and "I PROFESSIONISTI" ("The Professionals", 1966).

She also acted middle-class roles in Visconti’s "VAGHE STELLE DELL'ORSA" ("Sandra", 1965), and Francesco Maselli's "INDIFFERENTI" ("Time of indifference", I964), which gave her glamour and popularity. In Damiano Damiani’s "IL GIORNO DELLA CIVETTA" ("Mafia", 1968), Claudia Cardinale offered another great interpretation, once again playing, also psychologically, the part of an uneducated Sicilian woman. Having been accepted to play with her own voice in Marcello Fondato's "CERTO CERTISSIMO ANZI PROBABILE", she tried to take advantage of this "defect", exaggerating it, and thus giving tone and humor to the film. This was the time when she made the shift from actress to star. This was confirmed by her success in Sergio Leone’s "C’ERA UNA VOLTA IL WEST" ("Once upon a Time in the West", 1968). She shot films in all continents, still feeling uneasy with brilliant comedies. After Bolognini’s "LIBERA, AMORE MIO", (1975) and Alberto Sordi’s "COMUNE SENSO DEL PUDORE ", (1976), her life changed: she separated from Cristaldi (1975) and had an affair with director Pasquale Squitieri. She did fewer films and more modest roles. However, her natural gifts were again emphasized in "IL PREFETTO DI FERRO" (1977); "L'ARMA" (1978); "CORLEONE" (1978), all directed by Squitieri. After her second child, she became again one of the most requested actresses. She appeared in Liliana Cavani’s "LA PELLE" (1981), starring the Neapolitan princess Consuelo Caracciolo; in Werner Herzog international cast of "FITZCARRALDO" (1982), a fascinating work, which was shot in the hard conditions of the Amazon jungle near Iquitos; in Squitieri’s "CLARETTA PETACCI" (1984), starring Mussolini’s lover, Claretta; in Marco Bellocchio’s "ENRICO IV" ("Henry IV, 1984); in Comencini's film for television "LA STORIA" ("History, 1986); in Squitieri’s "ATTO DI DOLORE" (1991), and in Blake Edwards' "IL FIGLIO DELLA PANTERA ROSA" ("Son of Pink Panther", 1993) with Roberto Benigni. In 1999 she performs herself in "LUCHINO VISCONTI". She has also recently published her autobiography "IO CLAUDIA TU CLAUDIA". Her ability to adapt to every circumstance, her physical and moral strength, her never ending internal quest to avoid the danger of becoming a standard actress, prove that Claudia Cardinale is an outstanding figure of our times.

CLAUDIA CARDINALE FILMOGRAPHY

Born: Apr 15, 1938 - Tunis, Tunisia........---"Claudia Cardinale was born in 1939. I have seen a reproduction of her birth certificate, and this has also been verified in any number of sources. 1938 is not correct."

(Ernest Farino Updates in Quotation Marks)

"The doors of cinema opened for Claudia Cardinale like for most Italian divas due to a beauty contest: She was beautiful and studied inter- pretation at the Centro Sperimentale of Rome. With only 17 years she debuted in small roles but she was widely notified with her characterization of Sicilian women. Her marks were her face, her brunette hair, her body and her typical voice. She also worked a couple of times with her husband P. Squitieri.

Emerging in the wake of Sophia Loren's international success, Claudia Cardinale was originally touted as Italy's answer to Brigitte Bardot. Born in Tunisia on April 15, 1938, Cardinale first attracted attention in 1957 after winning the "Most Beautiful Girl in Tunisia" contest; her prize was a trip to the Venice Film Festival, inspiring her to pursue a career in acting, studying at Rome's Centro Sperimentale film school."

1956..........I Soliti Ignoti ......aka The Big Deal on Madonna Street ... she made her screen debut in 1958 in Mario Monicelli's classic caper comedy I Soliti Ignoti........"---Not her debut. She had small parts in four previous movies. ---I Soliti Ignoti was released in 1956 ---Claudia's character name: Carmelina"

1958..........Prima notte, La .... Angelica ..... followed a year later by Pietro Germi's Un Maledetto Imbroglio.

1958..........Tre straniere a Roma

1959..........Audace Colpo dei Soliti Ignoti ...aka Fiasco in Milan

1957..........Goha (1957) .... Taj'el Ouloum's maid
1959..........Magistrato, Il

1959..........Maledetto imbroglio, Un .... Assuntina
1959..........Upstairs and Downstairs .... Maria

1960..........La Viaccia .........aka The Lovemakers

1960..........Rocco and His Brothers.....continued to appear with highly-regarded filmmakers, including Luchino Visconti (Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli)

1960..........Austerlitz .... Pauline .....she also continued to appear with highly-regarded filmmakers, including Abel Gance (The Battle of Austerlitz)

1960..........Bell'Antonio, Il .... Barbara

1960..........Delfini, I .... Feodora

1960..........Ragazza con la valigia, La .... Aida..... ---"More commonly known by U.S. title: Girl with a Suitcase (re-released in U.S. as Pleasure Girl) ---Claudia's character name: Aida Zepponi"

1961..........Les Lions sont lachés ....aka The Lions are Loose

1961..........Senilità (1961) .... Angiolina Zarri

1962..........Cartouche ......aka Swords of Blood......Philippe de Broca (1962's Cartouche)
1960..........Viaccia, La .... Bianca

1963..........8 1/2 ...aka Fellini's 8 1/2..........Among her important films is to be mentioned "8 1/2 (1963)" of Federico Fellini with her partner Marcello Mastroiani'........In 1963, Cardinale received her widest exposure to date, playing herself -- the object of star Marcello Mastroianni's fantasies -- in Federico Fellini's masterpiece 8 1/2.....AVAILABLE

1963.........Il Gattopardo........aka The Leopard .....---Claudia's character name: Angelica Sedara/Bertiana.....That same year, she also appeared in Visconti's epic Il Gattopardo.....The Leopard features Burt Lancaster and is considered a masterpiece. Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale are close to the final word in romantic pairings.......AVAILABLE

1964..........Pink Panther, The .... Princess Dala

1963..........Ragazza di Bube, La .... Mara

1964..........Circus World .... Toni Alfredo ........ first American production, Henry Hathaway's Circus World.

1964..........Indifferenti, Gli ...A Time of Indifference........ Carla

1964..........Magnifico cornuto, Il ....The Magnificent Cuckold ...... Maria Grazia

1965..........Sandra Of a Thousand Delights...Sandra (Claudia Cardinale) comes back to Volterra, in Tuscany, the little town where she spent her childhood. She is with her American husband, Andrew (Michael Craig ). She wishes to pay homage to her father who died when she was still a little child. In Volterra, Andrew meets for the first time Gianni (Jean Sorel), Sandra's brother. He soon realizes that Sandra and Gianni have a secret since their childhood.

Secrets and whisperings. All of Visconti's talent is in this movie, beautiful scenes with beautiful actors, mystery, psychological torment,... Past and present, death and life are intertwined on the screen and little by little, one starts suspecting something else... Slowly, the terrible secret so well kept within the walls of the palazzo's garden, emerges. Only "grande familie" can generate and keep secrets like that. Only Visconti, born and raised in one of them could depict that so well. Received the Grand-Prix at the Venice Film Festival.

1965..........Blindfold .... Vicky Vincenti

1965..........Vaghe stelle dell'Orsa .... Sandra ........ Cardinale continued dividing her time between Hollywood and Europe for the remainder of the decade, appearing in diverse projects ranging from the 1965 Visconti war drama Vaghe Stelle dell'Orsa

1966..........Le Fate ........... aka Sex Quartet....aka: The Queens

1966..........Lost Command .... Aicha

1966..........Professionals, The .... Maria Grant .....Richard Brooks western The Professionals.

1967..........Don't Make Waves .... Laura Califatti
1967..........Rosa per tutti, Una ........Every Man's Woman...... Rosa

1968..........Giorno della civetta, Il ..aka: Mafia .. Rosa Nicolosi .....

1968..........Hell with Heroes, The .... Elena

1970..........La Tenda Rossa.... aka The Red Tent ...aka: .........Krasnaya palatka .... Valeria ...However, with the 1969 Mikhail Kalatozov adventure La Tenda Rossa Cardinale began appearing almost exclusively in European films

1969..........Una Coppia Tranquilla

1969..........C'era una volta il West ..........Once Upon a Time in the West ........ In 1968, she also co-starred in the Sergio Leone classic Once Upon a Time in the West. . Jill McBain

1969..........Certo, certissimo, anzi... probabile .... aka........Certain, Very Certain, As a Matter of Fact... Probable .......Marta

1969..........Nell'anno del Signore .... Giuditta Di Castro

1969..........Ruba al prossimo tuo....---More commonly known by U.S. title: A Fine Pair..... Esmeralda Marini

1970..........Adventures of Gerard, The .... Teresa, Countess of Morales

1971..........Les Petroleuses.....aka The Legend of Frenchie King.... .... Marie

1971..........Queen of Diamonds...aka:........Butterfly Affair, The ---aka Popsy Pop ---Claudia's character name: Popsy

1971..........Bello, onesto, emigrato Australia sposerebbe compaesana illibata....aka..The Girl in Australia

1971..........Udienza, L' .... Aiche

1972..........Scoumoune, La .... Genevieve Saratov .......In a classic case of comeuppance, when the town heavy gets into trouble, no one cares or comes to his aid. Early appearance by Gerard Depardieu as the burglar......AVAILABLE.

1973..........Days of Fury ....aka Il Giorno del furore.......aka.......One Russian Summer

1973..........I Guappi.... Lucia Esposito ......Franco Nero stars in Blood Brothers as an aspiring lawyer. For some reason, people are reluctant to help him in his goals. That's when he discovers that some of his blood relations are high-ranking members of the Mafia. Claudia Cardinale costars in this crime melodrama. Blood Brothers became a success thanks to the popularity of the Godfather films.......AVAILABLE

1973..........Libera, amore mio....... Libera Valente ....Set In Italy, 1936-46, WWII.....After her father (Adolfo Celi) is exiled to an island off the coast of Italy for his anti-Mussolini politics, Libera (Claudia Cardinale) is increasingly incensed by the fascist government of Italy and makes a number of bold and very personal gestures against it. At first, these only result in her husband's losing his jobs, but they are finally exiled to the same island that her father was sent to. There she develops a passion for Sandro (Bekim Fehmiu), another internee, but is restrained from having an affair by her strong sense of values. After World War II breaks out, the resistance to fascism becomes much more organized and more active. Libera joins them on a number of actions, usually when these coincide with her more personal vendetta against the Brown-shirts. ......AVAILABLE

1974..........Gruppo di Famiglia in un Interno ....aka Violence et passion...---"More commonly known by U.S. title: Conversation Piece"

1973..........A mezzanotte va la ronda del piacere .... Gabriella Sansoni...aka......Midnight Pleasures...aka.....The Immortal Bachelor

1975..........Qui comincia l'avventura ....aka....Blonde in Black Leather........This one has two beauties, Claudia Cardinele and Monica Vitti, and they ride around on a motorcycle......AVAILABLE.

1976..........Common Sense of Modesty, A

1977..........Goodbye and Amen

1977..........Il Prefetto Di Ferro..........aka The Iron Prefect

1977..........La Part du Feu......aka The Fire's Share.... La Part du Feu is a French idiom, and has to do with making a sacrifice for some gain. Hansen (Michel Piccoli) is a wheeler-dealer and building developer, who apparently manipulates people and situations just for the joy of it. In this melodrama, it was his wife Catherine's (Claudia Cardinale) money which enabled him to get into the real-estate business, but these days she is somewhat neglected. Jacques (Jacques Perrin) is his assistant, an eager but none too confident young man who has been having an affair with Catherine. The two of them worry a great deal about Hanson discovering their relationship.

1977..........Jesus of Nazareth.... The Adulteress

1979..........Corleone

1978..........La Petite Fille En Velours Bleu .... aka The Little Girl in Blue Velvet.....Laura (Lara Wendel) the 13-year-old daughter of an anti-fascist Italian Contessa (Claudia Cardinale). .....AVAILABLE

1978..........Arma, L' ... aka Gun, The ....aka.........The Sniper....... In this drama, a man finds himself becoming increasingly estranged from his wife and teenage daughter. To rectify the situation he gets a handgun and begins to try to prove that he is indeed a real man.......AVAILABLE

1979..........The Golden Raiders

1979..........Escape to Athena .... Eleana

1980..........Si salvi chi vuole i Brigante

1981..........Le Cadeau aka The Gift.........The Gift was based on Bankers Also Have Souls, a play by Valme and Terzolli. To honor retiring co-worker Gregoire (Pierre Mondy), a group of bank employees pool their money and purchase a farewell gift: gorgeous prostitute Barbara (Clio Goldsmith). Since Gregoire is married to the luscious Antonella (Claudia Cardinale), one wonders what planet his friends have been on the past few years......AVAILABLE

1982..........Pelle, La .... Principessa Consuelo Caracciolo

1983..........Salamander, The .... Elena Leporello

1982..........Burden of Dreams

1982..........Fitzcarraldo .... Molly ......Werner Herzog art-house hit Fitzcarraldo

1983..........Princess Daisy.... Anabelle de Fourdemont Valenski

1983..........Ruffian, Le .... La "baronne"

1983..........Stelle Emigranti

1984..........Claretta

1984..........Henry IV

1984..........L'Été Prochain..........aka Next Summe........AVAILABLEr

1985..........Donna delle meraviglie, La...... aka Woman of Wonders

1985..........La Storia

1987..........A Man in Love

1987..........Naso di cane

1987..........Sniper

1988..........Electric Blue

1989..........Ben Webster: The Brute and the Beautiful

1989..........Hiver 54, l'abbé Pierre .... Helene

1989..........Révolution française, La .... Duchesse de Polignac (segment "Annees

1990..........Act of Contrition

1990..........Batalla de los Tres Reyes, La

1990..........Mayrig .... Araxi (Mayrig)

1991..........588 Rue Paradis

1991..........Queen of Diamonds

1994..........René Lévesque .... Jacqueline

1994..........Women Have Only One Thing on Their Minds---aka Elles ne Present Qu'a ça.........W/ Carol Laure.....AVAILABLE

1995..........A Summer in La Goulette........AVAILABLE

1995..........0-07: L'affaire Zeus" .... Agent

1996..........Nostromo .... Teresa Viola

1997..........Cannes... les 400 coups .... Herself

> 1997..........Deserto di fuoco" .... Leila

1997..........Sous les pieds des femmes .... Aya

1998..........Riches, belles et cruelles

1999..........Briganti

1999..........Luchino Visconti .... Herself

1999..........Mein liebster Feind - Klaus Kinski .... Herself