Isabella Rossellini, a renowned Italian actress and model, has made a lasting impact in the American film industry since her arrival in 1979 and holds dual citizenship of Italy and the United States. Born on June 18, 1952, in Rome, Italy, Rossellini is a member of the esteemed Bergman-Rossellini family, with her mother being the legendary Swedish-born actress Ingrid Bergman, a three-time Oscar winner, and her father being the iconic Italian director Roberto Rossellini, a pioneer of the neo-realist movement.
Rossellini's early life was marked by her parents' illustrious careers, and she was destined for greatness. She began her acting career in the 1970s, making her film debut in Vincente Minnelli's A Matter of Time (1976),alongside her mother. She then appeared in a few Italian productions and worked as an American correspondent for the Italian television network RAI before transitioning to Hollywood.
Her breakthrough role came in 1985 with Taylor Hackford's Cold War drama White Nights, followed by her iconic performance as the abused chanteuse in David Lynch's Blue Velvet (1986),earning her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. Rossellini's versatility as an actress was further showcased in her performance as Lisle, the enigmatic socialite, in Death Becomes Her (1992),for which she received a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Throughout her illustrious career, Rossellini has worked with some of the most acclaimed directors in the industry, including Martin Scorsese, with whom she was married from 1979 to 1982, and David Lynch, her long-time partner. Her guest appearance on the television series Chicago Hope (1994) earned her a nomination for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 1997.
