Mariangela Melato (19 September 1941 – 11 January 2013) was an Italian cinema and theater actress. She began her stage career in the 1960s. Her first film role was in ''Thomas e gli indemoniati'' (1969), directed by

Pupi Avati Giuseppe Avati, better known as Pupi Avati (born 3 November 1938), is an Italian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known to horror film fans for his two giallo masterpieces, ''The House with Laughing Windows'' (1976) and '' Zeder ...

. She played in many memorable films during the 1970s, a period which was considered her golden age, and she received much praise for her roles in films like ''

The Seduction of Mimi ''The Seduction of Mimi'' ( it, Mimì metallurgico ferito nell'onore, lit=Mimi the Metalworker, Wounded in Honor) is a 1972 Italian comedy-drama film written and directed by Lina Wertmüller, starring Giancarlo Giannini as Mimi and featuring Ma ...

'' (1972), ''

Love and Anarchy ''Love and Anarchy'' ( it, Film d'amore e d'anarchia, ovvero: stamattina alle 10, in via dei Fiori, nella nota casa di tolleranza..., lit=Film of love and anarchy, or rather: this morning at 10, in via dei Fiori, in the well-known brothel ...) i ...

'' (1973), ''

Nada Nada may refer to: Culture *Nāda, a concept in ancient Indian metaphysics Places *Nada, Hainan, China *Nada, Kentucky, an unincorporated community in the United States *Nada, Nepal, village in Achham District, Seti Zone *Nada, Texas, United Sta ...

'' (1974), '' Swept Away'' (1974), '' Todo modo'' (1976), ''

Caro Michele ''Caro Michele'' is a 1976 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Monicelli. It was entered into the 26th Berlin International Film Festival, where Monicelli won the Silver Bear for Best Director. Cast * Mariangela Melato as Mara Castorelli ...

'' (1976) and ''

Il gatto ''Il gatto'' (internationally released as ''The Cat'') is a 1977 Cinema of Italy, Italian giallo-comedy film directed by Luigi Comencini. For this film, Mariangela Melato was awarded with a David di Donatello David di Donatello for Best Actress, fo ...

'' (1978). Melato also starred in several English-language productions as well, notably ''

Flash Gordon Flash Gordon is the protagonist of a space adventure comic strip created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by, and created to compete with, the already established ''Buck Rogers'' adve ...

'' (1980). She died from

pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer arises when cell (biology), cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to multiply out of control and form a Neoplasm, mass. These cancerous cells have the malignant, ability to invade other parts of t ...

at the age of 71.

Biography and career

Early years

Born in

Milan Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city h ...

, the daughter of a Triestino traffic policeman and a seamstress, Melato from a young age studied painting at the

Academy of Brera The Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera ("academy of fine arts of Brera"), also known as the or Brera Academy, is a state-run tertiary public academy of fine arts in Milan, Italy. It shares its history, and its main building, with the Pinacoteca di ...

, drawing posters and working as a window dresser at

La Rinascente (La) Rinascente (; ) is a collection of high-end stores with Italian and international brands in fashion, accessories, beauty, homeware, design and food. It operates eleven stores in Italy, including its general headquarters in Milan and two fl ...

to pay for her acting lessons with Esperia Sperani.

Lietta Tornabuoni Giulietta "Lietta" Tornabuoni (24 March 1931–11 January 2011) was an Italian film critic, journalist and author. Life and career Born in Pisa into an aristocratic family, Tornabuoni started her journalistic career in 1949 for the magazine ''N ...

, "Il bell'inferno della Melato", ,''La Stampa'', 18 May 1972. A striking, blonde actress, she began her stage career in 1960, entering the stage company of

Fantasio Piccoli Fantasio Piccoli (24 March 1917 – 27 October 1981) was an Italian theatre director. Life and career Born in Milan, the son of the author Valentino, in 1947 Piccoli founded and directed the stage company "Compagnia del Carrozzone" (also known ...

and debuting as an actress in the play ''Binario cieco''. From 1963 to 1965 she worked with

Dario Fo Dario Luigi Angelo Fo (; 24 March 1926 – 13 October 2016) was an Italian playwright, actor, theatre director, stage designer, songwriter, political campaigner for the Italian left wing and the recipient of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Literature. ...

in '' Settimo: ruba un po' meno'' and ''La colpa è sempre del diavolo'', then in 1967 she worked with

Luchino Visconti Luchino Visconti di Modrone, Count of Lonate Pozzolo (; 2 November 1906 – 17 March 1976) was an Italian filmmaker, stage director, and screenwriter. A major figure of Italian art and culture in the mid-20th century, Visconti was one of the fat ...

in ''The Nun of Monza''. In 1968, her final theater breakthrough with ''Orlando furioso'' by

Luca Ronconi Luca Ronconi (8 March 1933 – 21 February 2015) was an Italian actor, theater director, and opera director. Biography Ronconi was born in Sousse, Tunisia. After growing up in Tunisia, where his mother was a school teacher, Ronconi graduated ...

. She made her film debut in 1969 with

's ''Thomas e gli indemoniati''.

1970s

The seventies were the golden decade for Melato; she starred in memorable film roles including the school teacher in

Nino Manfredi Saturnino "Nino" Manfredi (22 March 1921 – 4 June 2004) was an Italian actor, voice actor, director, screenwriter, playwright, comedian, singer, author, radio personality and television presenter. He was one of the most prominent Italian a ...

commedia all'italiana Commedia all'italiana (, pl. Commedie all'italiana, "Comedy in the Italian way") or Italian-style comedy is an Italian film genre born in Italy in the 1950s and developed in the 1960s and 1970s. It is widely considered to have started with Mari ...

Between Miracles ''Between Miracles'' ( it, Per grazia ricevuta) is a 1971 Italian comedy-drama film written and directed by Italian actor Nino Manfredi, in his List of directorial debuts, debut as feature film director. Plot A qualified surgeon is urgently calle ...

'' (1971) and the female leads in

Elio Petri Eraclio Petri (29 January 1929 – 10 November 1982), commonly known as Elio Petri, was an Italian film director, screenwriter, theatre director, and critic associated with the political cinema in the 1960s and '70s. His film ''Investigat ...

's ''

The Working Class Goes to Heaven ''The Working Class Goes to Heaven'' (Italian: ''La classe operaia va in paradiso''), released in the US as ''Lulu the Tool'', is a 1971 political drama film directed by Elio Petri. It depicts a factory worker's realisation of his own condition as ...

'' (1971) and

Vittorio De Sica Vittorio De Sica ( , ; 7 July 1901 – 13 November 1974) was an Italian film director and actor, a leading figure in the neorealist movement. Four of the films he directed won Academy Awards: ''Sciuscià'' and ''Bicycle Thieves'' (honorary) ...

's ''

Lo chiameremo Andrea ''Lo chiameremo Andrea'' (also known as ''We'll Call Him Andrew'') is a 1972 Italian comedy film directed by Vittorio De Sica. Plot The story is of Nino Manfredi as Paolo Antonazzi and Mariangela Melato as Maria Antonazzi, teachers at the same ...

'' (''We'll Call Him Andrew'', 1972). Then Melato received much praise for her role as

Giancarlo Giannini Giancarlo Giannini (born 1 August 1942) is an Italian actor and voice actor. He won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for his performance in ''Love and Anarchy'' (1973) and received an Academy Award nomination for ''Seven Beauties' ...

's Milanese mistress in ''

'' (1972), directed by

Lina Wertmüller Arcangela Felice Assunta Wertmüller von Elgg Spanol von Braueich (14 August 1928 – 9 December 2021), known as Lina Wertmüller (), was an Italian film director and screenwriter. She is best known for her 1970s art house films '' Seven Beauti ...

. This was to be the start of a very successful working relationship between Wertmüller, Melato and Giannini that continued with ''

'' (1973), in which Melato played an anarchist prostitute, and finally with ''

Swept Away by an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August ''Swept Away... by an Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August'' ( it, Travolti da un insolito destino nell'azzurro mare d'agosto), usually shortened to ''Swept Away'', is a 1974 Italian romantic adventure comedy drama written and directed b ...

'' (1974). Melato's critically acclaimed comedic performance in this film as a spoiled, unsympathetic aristocrat is one of her more internationally known roles. For the remainder of the 1970s, Melato worked with some of Europe's most renowned directors, including Claude Chabrol in ''

'' (1974),

in '' Todo modo'' (1976) and

Luigi Comencini Luigi Comencini (; 8 June 1916 – 6 April 2007)
''The Guardian'' was an Italian

in ''

'' (1978). She also worked on television; playing the role of Princess

Bithiah The Pharaoh's daughter ( he, בַּת־פַּרְעֹה, lit=daughter of Pharaoh) in the story of the finding of Moses in the biblical Book of Exodus is an important, albeit minor, figure in Abrahamic religions. Though some variations of her stor ...

, in the miniseries ''

Moses the Lawgiver ''Moses the Lawgiver'' is a 6-hour Italian/British television miniseries filmed in 1973/74 and starring Burt Lancaster as Moses. It was an ITC/RAI co-production filmed in Rome and on location in Israel and Morocco. Many of the writers, cast ...

'' (1974), also released in a theatrical version.

Later years

After attaining international success, Melato starred in several American productions, playing one of her most famous parts as the villainess General Kala in ''

'' (1980), and co-starring with

Ryan O'Neal Ryan O'Neal (born April 20, 1941) is an American actor and former boxer. He trained as an amateur boxer before beginning his career in acting in 1960. In 1964, he landed the role of Rodney Harrington on the ABC nighttime soap opera '' Peyton Place ...

in the comedy '' So Fine'' (1981). Unable to find real success in the United States and Hollywood, she returned to Italy, and appeared in a number of comedies and dramas. She also reunited with Lina Wertmüller for the filming of '' Summer Night'' (1986), but gradually she appeared in fewer films, and more on the stage, notably as the lead in ''

The Miracle Worker ''The Miracle Worker'' refers to a broadcast, a play and various other adaptations of Helen Keller's 1903 autobiography ''The Story of My Life''. The first of these works was a 1957 ''Playhouse 90'' broadcast written by William Gibson and sta ...

''.

Death

Melato died from pancreatic cancer on 11 January 2013 in Rome, Italy at age 71.

Selected filmography

* '' Let's Have a Riot'' (1970) * ''L'Invasion'' (1970) - Valentina * '' Thomas e gli indemoniati'' (1970) - Zoe * '' Io non scappo... fuggo'' (1970) * ''

The Swinging Confessors ''The Swinging Confessors'' ( it, Il prete sposato), also known as ''Intimacy'' and ''The Married Priest'', is a 1970 Italian comedy film written and directed by Marco Vicario. Plot A young Sicilian priest who moved to Rome comes into contac ...

'' (1970) - Prostitute * ''

Basta guardarla ''Basta guardarla'' (''Just Look at Her'') is a 1970 Italian comedy film directed by Luciano Salce. Plot Enrichetta, a young peasant girl who lives in the village of Copparola di Sotto, Ciociaria, joins the avanspettacolo company of Silver Boy ...

'' (1971) - Marisa do Sol * ''

'' (1971) - Maestrina * ''

'' (1971) - Lidia * ''Cometogether'' (1971) * '' Incontro'' (1971) * '' La violenza: quinto potere'' (1972) - Rosaria Licata * ''

'' (1972) - Fiorella Meneghini * ''

Execution Squad ''Execution Squad'' ( it, La polizia ringrazia) is a 1972 crime film directed by Steno and starring Enrico Maria Salerno. Set during Italy's tumultuous '' anni di piombo'' ("Years of Lead"), the film obtained a great commercial success. Cast * ...

'' (1972) - Sandra * ''

'' (1972) - Maria Antonazzi * ''

Il generale dorme in piedi ''Il generale dorme in piedi'' (''The general sleeps standing up'') is a 1972 commedia all'italiana. It represents the directorial debut of Francesco Massaro and it is based on a novel with the same name written by Giuseppe D'Agata. It was filmed ...

'' (1972) - Lola Pigna * ''

'' (1973) - Salomè * ''

'' (1974) - Veronique Cash * ''

'' (1974) - La fille du maire * '' Policewoman'' (1974) - Giovanna 'Gianna' Abbastanzi * '' Swept Away'' (1974) - Raffaella Pavone Lanzetti * ''

Faccia di spia ''Faccia di spia'' (also known as ''C.I.A. Secret Story'') is a 1975 Italian political drama film written and directed by Giuseppe Ferrara. Cast * Adalberto Maria Merli as captain Felix Ramos * Mariangela Melato as Tania *Francisco Rabal as Mehd ...

'' (1975) - Tania * ''

Di che segno sei? ''Di che segno sei?'' (translation: ''What's Your Sign?'') is a 1975 Italian comedy film directed by Sergio Corbucci, starring Alberto Sordi. Plot The film is divided into four episodes. In the first Paolo Villaggio plays the role of a sailor fr ...

'' (1975) - Marietta 'Claquette' * '' The Guernica Tree'' (1975) - Vandale * '' Attenti al buffone'' (1975) - Giulia * '' Todo Modo'' (1976) - Giacinta * ''

'' (1976) - Mara Castorelli * ''

Beach House Beach House is an American musical duo formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 2004. The band consists of Victoria Legrand (vocals, keyboards) and Alex Scally (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals). Their self-titled debut album was released in 2006 t ...

'' (1977) - Giulia * '' The Cat'' (1977) - Ofelia Pegoraro * '' La presidentessa'' (1977) - Yvette Jolifleur * ''

Saxofone The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed on a mouthpiece vibrates to pr ...

'' (1978) - Fiorenza * ''

To Forget Venice ''To Forget Venice'' ( it, Dimenticare Venezia) is a 1979 Italian drama film written and directed by Franco Brusati. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 52nd Academy Awards. Cast * Mariangela Melato as Ann ...

'' (1979) - Anna * '' I giorni cantati'' (1979) - Angela * '' Oggetti smarriti'' (1979) - Marta * ''

'' (1980) - Kala * '' In the Pope's Eye'' (1980) - Unchosen actress * ''

Help Me Dream ''Help Me Dream'' (Italian: ''Aiutami a sognare'') is a 1981 Italian romance film directed by Pupi Avati and starring Mariangela Melato, Anthony Franciosa and Orazio Orlando. For this film Mariangela Melato was awarded with a David di Donatello Da ...

'' (1981) - Francesca * '' So Fine'' (1981) - Lira * ''

Tomorrow We Dance ''Tomorrow We Dance'' ( it, Domani si balla!) is a 1982 Italian comedy film written, directed and starring Maurizio Nichetti. Plot Aliens send a hypnotic signal through a TV channel, and the signal makes people dance and makes them forget their ...

'' (1982) - Mariangela * '' Il buon soldato'' (1982) - Marta * ''

My Darling, My Dearest ''My Darling, My Dearest'' ( it, Bello mio, bellezza mia) is a 1981 Italian comedy film directed by Sergio Corbucci. Plot Cast * Giancarlo Giannini: Gennarino Laganà * Mariangela Melato: Armida * Stefania Sandrelli: Clarabella * Massimo ...

'' (1982) - Armida * ''

Petomaniac ''Il petomane'', internationally released as ''Petomaniac'', is a 1983 Italian commedia all'italiana film directed by Pasquale Festa Campanile. It is loosely based on real life events of Joseph Pujol, best known as " Le Pétomane". Cast * Ugo ...

'' (1983) - Catherine Dumurier * ''

Secrets Secrets ''Segreti segreti'' (internationally released as ''Secrets Secrets'') is a 1985 Italian drama film directed by Giuseppe Bertolucci. For this film Lina Sastri was awarded with a David di Donatello for Best Actress. The film was on first viewing TV ...

'' (1985) - Giuliana, the judge * ''

My Dearest Son ''My Dearest Son'' ( it, Figlio mio infinitamente caro) is a 1985 Italian drama film. It represents the last film written and directed by Valentino Orsini. It is also the film debut of Italian actor Sergio Rubini. Plot Cast *Ben Gazzara as ...

'' (1986) - Stefania * '' Summer Night'' (1986) - Fulvia Bolk * ''

Dancers Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoire ...

'' (1987) - Contessa * ''

Mortacci ''Mortacci'' is a 1989 Italian dark comedy film directed by Sergio Citti. Plot summary In a small town cemetery, the deceased every night host a meeting. They are doomed not to enter the next stage of the afterlife, till the last living human ...

'' (1988) - Jolanda * ''

The End Is Known ''The End Is Known'' ( it, La fine è nota, french: La fin est connue) is a 1992 Italian-French mystery film directed by Cristina Comencini. It is an adaptation of the novel with the same name by Geoffrey Holiday Hall, in which the setting is move ...

'' (1993) - Elena Malva * ''

Dirty Linen ''Dirty Linen'' was a bi-monthly magazine of folk and world music based in Baltimore, Maryland. The magazine ceased publication in the spring of 2010. The magazine offered extensive reviews of folk music recordings, videos, books, and concert ...

'' (1999) - Cinzia * '' A Respectable Man'' (1999) - Anna Tortora * ''

Probably Love ''Probably Love'' ( it, L'amore probabilmente) is a 2001 Italian drama film directed by Giuseppe Bertolucci. It entered the "Cinema of the Present" section at the 58th Venice International Film Festival. ''Variety (magazine), Varietys film critic ...

'' (2001) - Mariangela Melato * ''

Love Returns ''Love Returns'' ( it, L'amore ritorna) is a 2004 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Sergio Rubini. For her performance Giovanna Mezzogiorno won the Nastro d'Argento for best supporting actress. Cast * Fabrizio Bentivoglio: Luca Florio ...

'' (2004) - Federica * ''

Vieni via con me ''Vieni via con me'' ''(Come away with me)'' is a TV programme presented by Fabio Fazio and Roberto Saviano, broadcast by the Italian public TV channel RAI Tre Rai 3 (formerly Rete 3) is an Italian free-to-air television channel owned and opera ...

'' (2005) - Maria Grande

References

External links

* *
Allmovie biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Melato, Mariangela 1941 births 2013 deaths Italian film actresses Italian television actresses Actresses from Milan David di Donatello winners Nastro d'Argento winners Ciak d'oro winners 20th-century Italian actresses 21st-century Italian actresses Deaths from pancreatic cancer Deaths from cancer in Lazio Brera Academy alumni