Claudia Cardinale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claudia Cardinale
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Cardinale in The Pink Panther (1963)
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| Born |
Claude Joséphine Rose Cardinale
15 April 1938 Tunis, French Tunisia
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| Citizenship | Italy (from father) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1957–present |
| Partner(s) |
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| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Francesca Cardinale (niece) |
Claudia Cardinale (born April 15, 1938) is a famous actress from Italy. She was born in Tunisia. She became well-known in the 1960s. Claudia starred in many important Italian and Hollywood films.
Some of her most famous movies include The Pink Panther, The Leopard, and 8½. She worked with famous directors like Luchino Visconti and Federico Fellini. Claudia Cardinale is also a UNESCO goodwill ambassador. She works to protect women's rights around the world.
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Early Life of Claudia Cardinale
Claudia Cardinale was born on April 15, 1938. Her full name is Claude Joséphine Rose Cardinale. She was born in La Goulette, a neighborhood in Tunis, Tunisia. At that time, Tunisia was a French protectorate.
Her father, Francesco Cardinale, was a railway worker from Gela, Sicily. Her mother, Yolande Greco, was also born in Tunisia. Her mother's parents were Italian immigrants from Trapani, Sicily. They had a small shipbuilding business. They later settled in La Goulette, which had a large Italian community.
Claudia grew up speaking French, Tunisian Arabic, and the Sicilian language. She did not learn to speak Italian until she started acting in Italian films. She went to school at Saint-Joseph-de-l'Apparition and Paul Cambon School. She planned to become a teacher.
Claudia Cardinale's Acting Career
Starting Out in the 1950s
Claudia Cardinale's first film was a short movie called Anneaux d'or. This film made her a local celebrity. She then got a small role in the movie Goha. In 1957, she won a beauty contest called "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia." The prize was a trip to the Venice Film Festival in Italy.
At the festival, film producers noticed her. She was invited to study acting in Rome. She left the school early and decided to go home. But soon after, she signed a contract with a film company called Vides. This company was owned by Franco Cristaldi. He helped guide her early career.
In 1958, Claudia had a small role in the comedy Big Deal on Madonna Street. This movie was a big success. It made her instantly recognizable in Italy. Some newspapers even called her "Italy's sweetheart." During this time, Claudia had a son named Patrick. She kept his birth private for many years. Her son grew up with her parents and sister. Later, she decided to share her story with the public.
In 1959, she acted in the crime film The Facts of Murder. This movie helped her learn a lot about acting. In her early films, her voice was often dubbed by other actresses. This was because her voice was considered too deep or hoarse.
Becoming a Star in the 1960s
In 1960, Claudia Cardinale starred in Il bell'Antonio with Marcello Mastroianni. This film was the start of a great partnership. She loved working with director Mauro Bolognini. She said he was a "great director" and a "sensitive and sincere friend."
In 1961, Claudia played a young mother in Girl with a Suitcase. She was praised by critics for her performance. She also starred with Jean-Paul Belmondo in La Viaccia. Both films were shown at the 1961 Cannes Film Festival. People started to see her as a rival to famous actresses like Brigitte Bardot.
The year 1963 was very important for her career. She starred in two highly acclaimed films. She played Angelica in Luchino Visconti's The Leopard. She also appeared as herself in Federico Fellini's 8½. Both movies are considered some of the greatest films ever made. In 8½, she was finally allowed to use her own voice.
That same year, she starred in her first American film, The Pink Panther. She played Princess Dala, a wealthy woman. Her co-star was David Niven. He said, "After spaghetti, you're Italy's happiest invention."
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In 1964, Claudia starred with John Wayne in the Hollywood film Circus World. She spent three years in the United States. However, she did not like the "star system" in Hollywood. She preferred to live and work in Europe. She only signed contracts for individual films.
In 1966, she starred in the war movie Lost Command with Anthony Quinn. She also appeared in the Western film The Professionals with Burt Lancaster. In 1968, she had one of her most famous roles. She played Jill McBain in Sergio Leone's epic Western Once Upon a Time in the West.
Working in the 1970s
In the 1970s, Claudia Cardinale continued to make many films. In 1971, she starred with Brigitte Bardot in the French Western-comedy The Legend of Frenchie King. She also won a David di Donatello for Best Actress award for her role in A Girl in Australia.
In 1974, she met director Pasquale Squitieri. He later became her partner. She often appeared in his films. These included I guappi (1974) and Corleone (1978). In 1977, she had a role in the miniseries Jesus of Nazareth.
Later Career: 1980s and Beyond
In 1982, Claudia Cardinale starred in Werner Herzog's critically acclaimed film Fitzcarraldo. In 1984, her performance in Squitieri's film Claretta won her the Nastro d'Argento for Best Actress award.
In 1991, she starred in Mayrig, a film about an Armenian family. Critics praised her performance as the mother. In 1993, she received an honorary Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival. This award celebrated her long and successful career. She also appeared in Son of the Pink Panther that year.
In the 2000s, Claudia Cardinale started acting on stage. She performed in plays like La Venexiana and Come tu mi vuoi. In 2010, she won the Best Actress Award at the Antalya "Golden Orange" International Film Festival for her role in Signora Enrica.
In 2012, she appeared in Gebo and the Shadow, which was highly praised. In 2014, she was in the British film Effie Gray. Claudia Cardinale continues to work. She has been in over 140 movies! She says, "I've been very lucky because I've had many fantastic directors with me."
Personal Life
Claudia Cardinale lived with film director Pasquale Squitieri for 42 years. He passed away in 2017. She has two children: Patrick and Claudia. Patrick was born when she was 19.
Claudia Cardinale can speak many languages. She is fluent in Arabic, French, Italian, English, and Spanish. Her niece, Francesca Cardinale, is also an actress.
Claudia is a strong supporter of women's rights. She has been a UNESCO goodwill ambassador since 2000. She works to defend women's rights. She also served as a goodwill ambassador for World Water Day in 2006.
In 1995, she published her autobiography called Io Claudia, Tu Claudia. She has received many awards for her acting. These include an honorary Golden Lion and an Honorary Golden Bear. In 2011, the Los Angeles Times Magazine named her one of the 50 most beautiful women in film history.
Claudia Cardinale believes in keeping some mystery about herself. She once said, "I've never revealed myself or even my body in films. Mystery is very important." She also shared her secret to success: "If you want to practise this craft, you have to have inner strength. Otherwise, you'll lose your idea of who you are."
Filmography
Images for kids
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Cardinale in Pietro Germi's The Facts of Murder (Un maledetto imbroglio) (1959)
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Cardinale in Il bell'Antonio (1960)
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Cardinale in Girl with a Suitcase (1961)
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Cardinale in Lost Command (1966)
See also
In Spanish: Claudia Cardinale para niños
