Valentina Cortese, a renowned Italian actress, was born on New Year's Day in 1923 in the vibrant city of Milan. Her journey in the film industry began in 1940, where she initially played "ingenue" roles in various Italian productions of that era. However, it was her performances in Caccia all'uomo (1948) and Tempesta su Parigi (1948) that truly garnered attention, as she took on the dual roles of Fantine and Cosette in the screen adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel "Les misérables".
The international acclaim she received for her role in the British-made melodrama The Glass Mountain (1949) led to Hollywood offers, which she accepted with relish. Her sultry portrayal of a truck-driver's mistress in Jules Dassin's film noir Thieves' Highway (1949) was particularly noteworthy, while her performance in Robert Wise's thriller The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) showcased her exceptional talent in playing a woman pursued by a killer.
Following her return to Europe, Cortese had the privilege of working with some of the most esteemed directors of her time, including Michelangelo Antonioni, who cast her in Le amiche (1955),and Federico Fellini, who featured her in his surrealist fantasy Juliet of the Spirits (1965). Her robust part in Francois Truffaut's Day for Night (1973),where she played a fading alcoholic movie star, earned her a nomination for the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award.
In addition to her illustrious film career, Cortese also had a successful stage career, collaborating with writers and directors such as Giorgio Strehler and Franco Zeffirelli. She starred in the title roles of Schiller's "Mary Stuart" and Wedekind's "Lulu", cementing her status as a versatile and accomplished actress.
