Anna Magnani (1908–73) was an Italian actress known for her powerful and passionate performances on stage and screen, particularly for her forceful portrayals of earthy, working-class women.
Born in Rome, Magnani briefly attended the Academy of Dramatic Art in Rome before joining a touring repertory company. She began her career as a stage actress in the 1930s before transitioning to film in the 1940s. She gained international recognition for her roles in films such as Roma città aperta (1945; Open City) and The Rose Tattoo (1955; based on Tennessee Williams’s book,) for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. Other movies include Il miracolo (1948; The Miracle,) Bellissima (1951,) and The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1969.)
Magnani was praised for her ability to bring depth and authenticity to her characters, often playing strong and passionate women. Despite her success, she remained fiercely independent and outspoken, refusing to conform to traditional expectations of female actors. Magnani’s legacy continues influencing actors and filmmakers today, cementing her place as one of the greatest actresses in Italian cinema history.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Anna Magnani
Great passions, my dear, don’t exist: they’re liars fantasies. What do exist are little loves that may last for a short or a longer while.
—Anna Magnani
Topics: Love
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