Elena Varzi (21 December 1926 – 1 September 2014) was an Italian film actress.

Life and career

Born in

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, in spite of a non-professional acting background, Varzi made her film debut in a leading role, as the Sicilian Maria Antonia in

Renato Castellani Renato Castellani (4 September 1913 in Varigotti, Liguria – 28 December 1985 in Rome) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. Early life Son of a representative of Kodak, he was born in Varigotti, a hamlet at the time of Final Pia, ...

's neorealist post-war comedy-drama ''

It's Forever Springtime ''It's Forever Springtime'' (Italian: ''È primavera...'') is a 1950 Italy, Italian drama film directed by Renato Castellani. Plot Beppe Agosti, Florentine, baker's boy and orphan, is very popular with girls, especially the servants, for his ea ...

''. Her second role, as the mistress of a Sicilian bandit in Pietro Germi's ''

Path of Hope A path is a route for physical travel – see Trail. Path or PATH may also refer to: Physical paths of different types * Bicycle path * Bridle path, used by people on horseback * Course (navigation), the intended path of a vehicle * Desire ...

'', received critical acclaim. It was during filming ''

The Forbidden Christ ''The Forbidden Christ'' ( it, Il Cristo proibito) is a 1951 Italian drama film directed by Curzio Malaparte. Plot Bruno is a veteran of the Russian campaign who returned on foot to his Montepulciano. Unlike the other veterans, his happiness ...

'' that Varzi met and later married

Raf Vallone The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's Air force, air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal ...

. She eventually left her film career, devoting herself to the family. She was the mother of Arabella, Saverio, and Eleonora Vallone. Her husband died in 2002.

Death

Varzi died of cardiac arrest at her holiday cottage in

Sperlonga Sperlonga (locally ) is a coastal town in the province of Latina, Italy, about halfway between Rome and Naples. It is best known for the ancient Roman sea grotto discovered in the grounds of the Villa of Tiberius containing the important and spect ...

Latina Latina or Latinas most often refers to: * Latinas, a demographic group in the United States * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America. *Latin Americans Latina and Latinas may also refer ...

, on 1 September 2014. She was 87.

Partial filmography

* ''

'' (1950) * ''

'' (1951) * '' Rome 11:00'' (1952) * ''

The Eyes Leave a Trace ''The Eyes Leave a Trace'' (Spanish: ''Los ojos dejan huellas'') is a 1952 Spanish-Italian thriller film directed by José Luis Sáenz de Heredia.Mira p.237 It stars Italian actor Raf Vallone and his wife Elena Varzi. It was co-produced in Italy, ...

'' (1952) * '' Sunday Heroes'' (1953) * ''

Human Torpedoes Human torpedoes or manned torpedoes are a type of diver propulsion vehicle on which the diver rides, generally in a seated position behind a fairing. They were used as secret naval weapons in World War II. The basic concept is still in use. ...

'' (1954)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Varzi, Elena 1926 births 2014 deaths Actresses from Rome Italian film actresses