Laura Betti, born Laura Trombetti, burst onto the Italian entertainment scene with a flair for the eccentric and a voice that echoed through jazz clubs, captivating cinema audiences. Hailing from Casalecchio di Reno, near Bologna, she initially made a name for herself as a jazz singer, drawing crowds with her sultry performances in Rome's vibrant nightlife.
Her cinematic debut came in Federico Fellini's iconic La Dolce Vita (1960),a role that marked the beginning of her ascent in Italian film. Renowned for portraying quirky, intense characters, Betti shone in a range of roles, including Regina in Bernardo Bertolucci's 1900 (1976),Emilia in Pier Paolo Pasolini's Teorema (1968),where she won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress, and Mildred in Mario Bava's Hatchet for the Honeymoon (1970).
Her close friendship with Pasolini, forged in 1963, played a significant role in shaping her career; she starred in seven of his films, including the controversial Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975),and later honored his legacy with a 2001 documentary and the establishment of the Centro Studi Archivio Pier Paolo Pasolini in Bologna.
Betti's versatility extended beyond acting, as she also ventured into writing, directing, and music. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, she released several recorded singles, showcasing her vocal prowess. Her later roles in films like Le Champignon des Carpates (1990) and Raul - Diritto di uccidere (2005) solidified her status as a dynamic force in the industry.
Known for her bold personality, Betti once clashed with actress Dagmar Lassander on set, ensuring her own role outshone her rival's. Her contributions to cinema, marked by passion and unpredictability, endure through her archived works and the Pasolini foundation she championed until her passing in 2004.
