Koscina, Sylva (1933–1994)

Yugoslavian actress, best known for her supporting role in Fellini's Juliet of the Spirits. Born on August 22, 1933, in Zagreb, Yugoslavia; died after a long illness complicated by heart problems on December 26, 1994, in Rome, Italy.

Selected films:

Il Ferroviere (The Railroad Man, 1955); Michel Strogoff (Michael Strogoff, 1956); Guendalina (1956); Le Fatiche di Ercole (Hercules, 1957); Gerusalemme Liberata (The Mighty Crusaders, 1957); Ercole e la Regina di Lidia (Hercules Unchained, 1958); Racconti d'Estate (Love on the Riviera, 1958); Erode il Grande (1959); L'Assedio di Siracusa (Siege of Syracuse, 1960); Le Mercenaire (Swordsman of Siena, French-Italian, 1962); Les Quatres Vérités (Three Fables of Love, French-Italian-Spanish, 1962); Jessica (1962); Copacabana Palace (Girl Game, 1962); Le Monachine (The Little Nuns, 1963); Judex (French-Italian, 1964); Hot Enough for June (Agent 83/4, UK, 1964); Giulietta degli Spiriti (Juliet of the Spirits, 1965); Made in Italy (1965); Deadlier Than the Male (UK, 1966); Three Bites of the Apple (U.S., 1967); Johnny Banco (1967); The Secret War of Harry Frigg (U.S., 1978); A Lovely Way to Die (U.S., 1968); Hornet's Nest (U.S., 1970); Battle of Neretva (1970); Homo Eroticus (Man of the Year, 1971); Uccidere in Silenzio (1972); La Mala Ordina (1972); Clara and Nora (Spanish, 1975); So Sweet So Dead (1975); House of Exorcism (1975); Delitto d'Autore (1976); Casanova and Co. (1977); Sunday Lovers (1980); Stelle emigranti (1983); Cinderella '80 (1984); Deadly Sanctuary (1986); Ricky and Barabba (1993); C'e Kim Novak al telefono (1994).

Known for her beautiful face and voluptuous figure, actress Sylva Koscina was born in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, in 1933 but began her career as a leading lady in Italian films. She was soon in demand internationally. Koscina spent her early years decorating costume melodramas and spectaculars, but her later work included romantic comedies and dramas. One biographer noted that her talent was such that at age 25, she was credible playing the mother of a 16-year-old. Koscina reached the peak of her popularity in the 1960s, and is most remembered for her supporting role in Federico Fellini's Juliet of theSpirits (1965), the director's first full-length color film. Koscina played the beautiful sister of the hapless Juliet, who was portrayed by Fellini's wife Giulietta Masina . Koscina's few American films include Three Bites of the Apple (1967) and The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968). The actress died in 1994, following a long illness complicated by heart problems.