Anna Maria Pierangeli, born on June 19, 1932, in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, was a talented actress who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. Her twin sister, Marisa Pavan, also pursued a career in film, and the two sisters shared a passion for acting. Pierangeli adopted her surname and split it in half, adopting the stage name Pier Angeli, which would become synonymous with her film career.
Pier Angeli's early roles were largely uncredited, including an appearance in the 1948 Italian production "The Million Dollar Nickel." She continued to work in film throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s, often in small or uncredited roles. During this time, she also appeared in stage productions and worked in menial jobs to make ends meet.
In 1951, Pier Angeli's career began to take off, with a starring role in the film "Teresa." She went on to appear in several more films throughout the early 1950s, including "The Light Touch" and "Miss Nitouche." Her performances caught the attention of Hollywood moguls, and she soon found herself working in the United States.
Pier Angeli's marriage to singer Vic Damone in 1954 lasted only four years and produced one son. She continued to work in film throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, appearing in a mix of Italian and American productions. Her roles during this time included "Somebody Up There Likes Me" opposite Paul Newman and "Sodom and Gomorrah."
Despite her successes, Pier Angeli's career began to slow down in the late 1960s. She made a few more films, including "Battle of the Bulge," before making her final appearance on screen in the 1971 film "Octaman." Tragically, Pier Angeli died on September 10, 1971, at the age of 39, due to a barbiturate overdose in her Beverly Hills home.
