Livia De Paolis was born and raised in Rome, Italy, where her family's legacy in the film industry dates back to 1941 with De Paolis I.N.C.I.R., the only privately owned film studios in the country at the time. Her grandfather founded the studios, which operated until 1991, housing the productions of over 2000 films, including works by renowned directors such as Federico Fellini, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Roberto Rossellini.
De Paolis graduated magna cum laude from the University 'Sapienza' of Rome, earning a master's degree in philosophy. She then moved to New York City, where she focused on contemporary theatre for several years, collaborating with innovative figures in the New York theater community.
Prior to embarking on a filmmaking career, De Paolis worked with Richard Foreman on the production of the show ZOMBOID!, and performed numerous times at Foreman's Ontological Hysteric Theater. She played the role of Yvette in the world premiere of Charles Mee's Fire Island with 3-Legged Dog at the 3LD Art and Technology Center, and also performed as Linda in Losing Something with the same company.
De Paolis originated the title role in John Patrick Shanley's one-act play Veronica, featuring music and two original songs by Henry Krieger. The play was presented at the Powerhouse Theater at Vassar College during the New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Season, and later at the Hudson Theater Guild in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where she played opposite Sam Harris, lead singer of X Ambassadors.
Her first feature film, Emoticon ;),premiered at the Chinese Theater in LA during Dances With Films in 2013 and was the opening night movie at the 2013 Gen Art Film Festival in New York, where it won the Best Cast Collaboration Award. Emoticon ;) was theatrically released by Indiecan Pictures.
De Paolis's work, both in theatre and in film, has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Time Out magazine, Bust magazine, and numerous others. For her achievements in theatre, De Paolis was granted a green card as an artist of extraordinary ability and now holds both Italian and American citizenship. She currently resides in London.
