Vitti, Monica (1931–)

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Vitti, Monica (1931–)

Italian actress and director. Born Maria Luisa Ceciarelli on Nov 3, 1931, in Rome, Italy; graduate of National Academy of Dramatic Art, 1953.

Extremely famous in Italy, made stage debut in Machiavelli's La mandragora (1953); joined director Michelangelo Antonioni's theater group (mid-1950s) and appeared as Sally Bowles in his version of I am a Camera (1957); made film debut in Anton's Ridere, Ridere, Ridere (Laugh, Laugh, Laugh, 1955); is particularly known for her leading roles in Antonioni films L'avventura (1960), La Notte (The Night, 1961), L'eclisse (The Eclipse, 1962), and Il deserto rosso (Red Desert, 1964); also appeared in Vadim's Chateau en Suede (Nutty, Naughty Chateau, 1963), Losey's Modesty Blaise (1966), and Janscó's La pacifista (1971); continued appearing in films throughout 1970s and 1980s, writing the scripts for Flirt (1983) and Francesca e mia (1986); also directed and co-wrote film, Scandalo Segreto (Secret Scandal, 1989).

See also Women in World History.