Claudia Cardinale is Italy’s counterpart to France’s Brigitte Bardot. She quickly rose to stardom to almost just as quickly disappear from the scene later on. Now, Claudia Cardinale celebrates her 85th birthday.
The Italian star was originally discovered at a beauty contest held in 1957 by the Unitalia film company. The “most beautiful Italian woman of Tunis” subsequently won a trip to the Venice Film Festival that was to become a decisive turning point in her life. The sultry young woman was born on April 15, 1938, in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Her mother was French, and her father Italian.
In 1958, Cardinale, known as CC, played her first role in “Goha” opposite Omar Sharif before being trained as an actress at the Italian Film Academy in Rome. Her talents as an actress renowned for her dauntless rambunctiousness gained her fame, and her gaze into the camera became legendary.
Famous director Luchino Visconti gave her minor roles in “Rocco and his Brothers” (1960), as well as in the historical drama “The Leopard” (1962) with Alain Delon. As she later recounted in a biographical interview, she rebuffed all of her famous film partners, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Marcello Mastroianni, Alain Delon and Burt Lancaster.
A beauty queen turned into a film diva
Cardinale is Italy’s counterpart of Brigitte Bardot. But in contrast to Bardot, Cardinale never appeared nude in a film: “I always thought it was more erotic to leave some room to imagination, hinting at things rather than showing everything,” she told the German magazine Stern in 2014.
CC achieved her breakthrough with her performance in the highly popular Italo western “Once Upon a Time in the West” (1969). The classical western directed by Sergio Leone and starring Henry Fonda and Charles Bronson was shot in Rome’s Cinecittà studios and in Spain with some scenes set in Utah’s Monument Valley. The film that flopped in the US only acquired cult status in Europe.
CC’s career already saw a downswing in the 1970s. She then turned to television films, especially entertainment films where she showed some talent as a comedian. She got her last main role in a movie in 1971 when she starred opposite her main rival, Brigitte Bardot, in the Italo western comedy “Frenchie King.”
Spending time in a jungle with Werner Herzog
Ten years later, CC starred in German director Werner Herzog’s historical film “Fitzcarraldo” (1981). Although Claudia Cardinale had a difficult time enduring the bouts of anger of her eccentric film partner Klaus Kinski, she greatly enjoyed shooting and working with director Werner Herzog: “Being in the middle of the jungle with insects all around me and nothing to eat was one of my most wonderful adventures,” she later stated.
Claudia Cardinale and other heroines of European film
Claudia Cardinale is seen as Italy’s counterpart to France’s Brigitte Bardot. The actress who became a star in the 1950s and 60s now celebrates her 85th birthday.
Claudia Cardinale
She’s the youngest of Italy’s three major female stars. Claudia Cardinale worked with outstanding directors like Luchino Visconti and Federico Fellini. She fascinated audiences with her charming smile and acting skills in westerns, among them “Once Upon a Time in the West” and “The Professionals” (pictured).
Gina Lollobrigida
One of the most highly acclaimed European stars of the 1950s and 60s was Gina Lollobrigida who was born in the East of Rome in 1927. “Lollo” even made it to Hollywood where she was equally showered with praise. In the 1970s, however, she withdrew from showbiz.
Sophia Loren
Another Italian actress, Sophia Loren, who was a few years younger than Lollo, became her fiercest rival. The mutual hatred and jealousy of the two stars was a frequent topic in tabloids. In contrast to Lollobrigida, Sophia Loren continued to perform in movies even as an older woman.
Brigitte Bardot
During the same time, another sexpot rose to stardom in France with movies like “And God Created Woman” and “Love is my Profession.” Brigitte Bardot, the superstar of the Grande Nation, withdrew from film production in the 1970s to devote herself to animal rights causes.
Catherine Deneuve
A decade later, Bardot’s compatriot Catherine Deneuve broke onto the film scene. Deneuve differed much from both Loren and Lollo by playing roles as aloof and myterious women early in her career. Deneueve’s talent as an actress guaranteed her success throughout her life.
Romy Schneider
The two decades between 1960 and 1980 were also the golden era of German-French actress Romy Schneider. Born in Vienna, she made her breakthrough in the German-speaking world as “Sissi” before moving to France. In Paris, she became one of the most charismatic and impressive actresses of European film scene. But in her private life, she was anything but lucky. She died in 1982.
Penélope Cruz
One of the most famous Europen actresses in recent decades is Spanish actress Penélope Cruz. Cruz started her career in her home country before achieving fame in other European countries and, finally, Hollywood. Her performances received a lot of acclaim, especially in films by director Pedro Almodóvar, among them “Volver” (pictured).
Irene Papas
After 1945, actresses from smaller European nations were able to conquer the hearts of audiences across Europe. One of them was Irene Papas who is also renowned as a singer in her home country, Greece. She celebrated her biggest success in “Zorba the Greek” (1964) before also working in other European countries, and in Hollywood.
Tatjana Samoilova
While films from Italy, France, Germany and England dominated the film scene during the postwar era, it should not be forgotten that eastern Europe had much to offer too. One of the biggest female stars of Russian film was certainly Tatjana Samoilova who achieved world fame with the movie “The Cranes are Flying” (1957).
Krystyna Janda
Polish actress Krystyna Janda became known in the 1970s for her performances in films by Polish director Andrzej Wajda. She then performed in international co-productions with stars like Lino Ventura. In her home country, Krystyna Janda is also known as a singer and an an author.
In 1993, CC received a Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival to be followed in 2002 by an “honorary bear” at the Berlinale. The spirited actress performed in more than 100 films.
In 2017, CC once again drew attention at an international film festival. A photo depicting her as a young actress embellished a placard in Cannes where she had often been invited as an honorary guest. On April 15, Claudia Cardinale will turn 80. Happy birthday!
This article was originally published April 15, 2018 and updated.
I married the woman of my dreams, but later on I had to make one of the toughest decisions of my life.
Hi everyone, my name is Mark, and this is my wife, Lisa, along with my two kids from my previous relationship. I’m sharing my story today because my heart is heavy with doubt and pain. If you read on, you’ll understand my turmoil. Lisa is the most amazing human being on earth, and any man would be blessed to have her. But before marrying her, I had a ten-year relationship with the mother of my children, Larissa.
My beautiful wife Lisa
Two years ago, Larissa, who was a pretty loving mom, fell in love with a guy she met at work. Out of nowhere, she lost her mind and left me for him, abandoning our family. I was left alone with our two children, devastated and trying to pick up the pieces.
New Beginnings
A year and a half later, I met Lisa. She was a ray of sunshine in my otherwise bleak world. We connected deeply and fell in love quickly. Lisa was fantastic with the kids, treating them as her own. Her kindness and patience knew no bounds. A year after we met, we decided to tie the knot.
Just a few days ago, my youngest daughter, Anna, said, “Daddy, I love the new mommy. Can she stay here forever?” It melted my heart and reinforced my belief that Lisa was the right choice for us. However, just when I thought life was perfect, a storm was brewing on the horizon.
Ghosts from the Past
A few months after the wedding, my ex, Larissa, called out of the blue. She wanted to meet me. I was confused and conflicted. She was the mother of my children, so I felt obligated to see her. When we met, she looked like a shadow of her former self, pale and distraught. She confessed, “Mark, I NEED YOU BACK.”
FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSE ONLY
I was stunned. At that moment, all my old feelings for her came rushing back. It was overwhelming, and I couldn’t focus on anything else. I started being mean to Lisa, even though I knew she didn’t deserve it. I was torn between my past and my present.
A Heartbreaking Confession
Just a few days later, I did the unthinkable. I broke Lisa’s heart by telling her about my feelings for Larissa. She was devastated. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, “Why now, Mark? After everything we’ve been through?”
Lisa and I recommitted to our marriage and to our family. We took a family trip to the beach, spent more quality time together, and created new memories. Larissa, realizing that her place was in the past, eventually moved on, respecting our decision.
Happily Ever After
Today, Lisa and I are happier than ever. Our family has grown closer, and the kids are thriving. We’ve learned that true love isn’t just about the past; it’s about building a future together. Lisa and I continue to support and cherish each other every day, creating a loving home for our children.
Life threw us a curveball, but we caught it together. Our story is a testament to the strength of love and the power of forgiveness. And as Anna wished, Lisa is here to stay, forever a part of our family.
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