Valentina Cortese
Biography
Valentina Cortese was an Italian film and theatre actress born in Milan, Lombardy, Italy on January 1, 1923. Her screen career spanned over five decades across more than 100 productions, encompassing work in both Europe and the United States. She starred in The House on Telegraph Hill in 1951, directed by Robert Wise and costarring Richard Basehart and William Lundigan. Cortese married Richard Basehart in 1951, had one son with him, and divorced him in 1960. Her filmography also includes Thieves' Highway in 1949, directed by Jules Dassin, The Barefoot Contessa in 1954 under Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Le Amiche in 1955 directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, The Boat on the Grass, and The Adventures of Baron M. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1975 for her performance in François Truffaut's Day for Night. She passed away on July 10, 2019, at the age of 96.
Career overview
Valentina Cortese was an Italian film and theatre actress. Her screen career spanned over 100 productions across more than five decades. She appeared in numerous films, including The House on Telegraph Hill, Thieves' Highway, The Barefoot Contessa, Le Amiche, and The Boat on the Grass.
Cortese's performances were recognized with an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1975 for her work in François Truffaut's Day for Night. She also had notable roles in films directed by other prominent directors, such as Jules Dassin, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and Michelangelo Antonioni.
Throughout her career, Cortese demonstrated her versatility as an actress, taking on various roles in a range of films. Her extensive filmography and long career in the entertainment industry showcase her dedication and talent as a performer.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
96 titles- Diva! (2017)
- Le ragazze di Milano (2007) as Self
- Michelangelo Antonioni: The Eye That Changed Cinema (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Federico Fellini's Autobiography (2000) as Self
- Sparrow (1994) as Madre Superiora
- La Classe américaine (1993) as The Helicopter Man's Wife (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Buster's Bedroom (1991) as Serafina Tannenbaum
- I promessi sposi (1989) as Donna Prassede
- The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) as Queen Ariadne / Violet
- Facciaffittasi (1988) as Gina Grandi
- Facciaffittasi (1988) as Gina Grandi
- Via Montenapoleone (1987) as madre di Guido
- Blue Tango (1987) as Rachele Cigno
- La Ferdinanda. Sonate für eine Medici-Villa (1981) as Caterina de Dominicis
- When Time Ran Out... (1980) as Rose Valdez
- Ring of Darkness (1979) as Elena Merrill
- Tanto va la gatta al lardo... (1978) as Wilma/Leonilde Bosco Casagrande
- Jesus of Nazareth (1977) as Herodias
- Widows' Nest (1977) as Dolores
- The Big Operator (1976) as Witwe
- Nick the Sting (1976) as Regina
- Il cav. Costante Nicosia demoniaco, ovvero Dracula in Brianza (1975) as Olghina Franchetti
- Kidnap Syndicate (1975) as Grazia Filippini
- Son tornate a fiorire le rose (1975) as Sabina Foschini
- Appassionata (1974) as Elisa Rutelli
- Tender Dracula (1974)
- Amore mio non farmi male (1974) as Sabina Foschini
- The Kiss (1974) as Elizabeth Blixen
- Day for Night (1973) as Séverine
- Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972) as Pica Di Bernardone
- The Assassination of Trotsky (1972) as Natalia Trotsky
- Chronicle of a Homicide (1972) as Luisa Sola
- The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire (1971) as Madame Sobieski
- The Boat on the Grass (1971) as Catherine
- First Love (1970) as Mutter
- The Love Mates (1970) as Eva
- The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1970) as Gabriella (uncredited)
- Give Her the Moon (1970) as Madeleine de Lépine
- Il killer (1969)
- Oh, Grandmother's Dead (1969) as Ornella
- The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968) as Countess Bozo Bedoni
- Listen, Let's Make Love (1968) as Lallo's Mother
- Black Sun (1966) as Maria
- Juliet of the Spirits (1965) as Valentina
- The Possessed (1965) as Irma
- Reporter’s Diary: 'Zoom on Fellini' (1965) as Self
- Antonioni: Documents and Testimonials (1965) as Self
- The Visit (1964) as Mathilda Miller
- I grandi camaleonti (1964) as Giuseppina Bonaparte
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) as Laura Craven-Torrani
- Story of San Michele (1962) as Eleonora Duse
- Barabbas (1961) as Julia
- Square of Violence (1961) as Erica Bernardi
- Love and Troubles (1958) as Marisa
- Kean: Genius or Scoundrel (1957) as Fanny
- The Rocket from Calabuch (1956) as Eloísa, la maestra de escuela
- Le Amiche (1955) as Nene
- Magic Fire (1955) as Mathilde Wesendonk
- Il Conte Aquila (1955) as Teresa Casati
- Adriana Lecouvreur (1955) as Adriana Lecouvreur
- The Barefoot Contessa (1954) as Eleanora Torlato-Favrini
- Angels of Darkness (1954) as Vally
- Il matrimonio (1954)
- Jailbirds (1954) as Luprandi's wife
- La passeggiata (1953) as Lisa
- Lulù (1953)
- Secret People (1952) as Maria Brentano / Brent / Lena Collins
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Dr. Bruni
- The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) as Victoria Kowelska
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Emilie Gallatin
- Shadow of the Eagle (1950) as Elizabeth, Princess Tarakanova
- Black Magic (1949) as Zoraida
- Thieves' Highway (1949) as Rica
- Malaya (1949) as Luana
- The Glass Mountain (1949) as Alida Morrosini
- Les Misérables (1948) as Fantine
- L'ebreo errante (1948) as Ester
- Les Misérables - Storm Over Paris (1948) as Cosetta
- Crossroads of Passion (1948) as Maria Pilar
- Il corriere del re (1947)
- Il passatore (1947) as Barbara
- Rome: Free City (1946) as La ragazza
- Un americano in vacanza (1946) as Maria
- Chi l'ha visto? (1945) as Luisella
- No One Comes Back (1945) as Valentina
- 4 girls dream (1943)
- Giorni felici (1943) as Marianna
- The Jester's Supper (1942) as Lisabetta
- Girl of the Golden West (1942) as Madge
- Soltanto un bacio (1942) as Maria Renda / Luisa Renda
- Orizzonte di sangue (1942)
- Quarta pagina (1942) as Valentina
- La regina di Navarra (1942)
- Primo amore (1941) as Nerina Redi
- Il bravo di Venezia (1941) as Alina
- L'attore scomparso (1941)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Valentina Cortese best known for?
Valentina Cortese is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including I promessi sposi (1989), The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), When Time Ran Out... (1980), The Adventures of Blinky Bill (1993).
When and where was Valentina Cortese born?
Valentina Cortese was born on January 1, 1923 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. They passed away on July 10, 2019.
How many credits does Valentina Cortese have?
Valentina Cortese has accumulated over 96 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1941 to 2017.
What is Valentina Cortese's background in cinema and television?
Valentina Cortese was an Italian film and theatre actress born in Milan, Lombardy, Italy on January 1, 1923. Her screen career spanned over five decades across more than 100 productions, encompassing work in both Europe and the United States. She starred in The House on Telegraph Hill in 1951, directed by Robert Wise a...
Valentina Cortese by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Jesus of Nazareth (1977) as Herodias — aged about 54
- Day for Night (1973) as Séverine — aged about 50
- The Rocket from Calabuch (1956) as Eloísa, la maestra de escuela — aged about 33
- Juliet of the Spirits (1965) as Valentina — aged about 42
- The Visit (1964) as Mathilda Miller — aged about 41
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Dr. Bruni — aged about 28
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