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 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1957–present |
| Partner(s) |
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| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Francesca Cardinale (niece) |
Claude Joséphine Rose Cardinale (born 15 April 1938), known as Claudia Cardinale, is a famous Italian actress. She was born and grew up in La Goulette, a part of Tunis.
In 1957, Claudia won a beauty contest called "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia". The prize was a trip to Italy. This trip quickly led to her getting film contracts. Franco Cristaldi, who later became her partner, helped guide her career for many years. After a small role in Goha (1958), Claudia became one of Italy's most recognized actresses. She starred in popular films like Rocco and His Brothers (1960), Girl with a Suitcase (1961), Cartouche (1962), The Leopard (1963), and Fellini's 8½ (1963).
From 1963, Claudia Cardinale also appeared in Hollywood movies. These included The Pink Panther (1963) with David Niven. She also acted in Blindfold (1965), Lost Command (1966), and The Professionals (1966). She worked with Tony Curtis in Don't Make Waves (1967) and in the Western film Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). In this movie, she played a strong character and received praise for her performance.
Claudia later returned to Italian and French films. She won the David di Donatello for Best Actress award for her roles in Il giorno della civetta (1968) and A Girl in Australia (1971). In 1974, she met director Pasquale Squitieri, who became her partner. She often appeared in his films, such as Blood Brothers (1974) and Claretta (1984). For Claretta, she won the Nastro d'Argento Award for Best Actress. In 1982, she starred in Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo.
Claudia Cardinale has spoken out for women's rights for many years. Since March 2000, she has been a UNESCO goodwill ambassador. This means she helps promote good causes for women's rights around the world. In 2011, the Los Angeles Times Magazine named her one of the 50 most beautiful women in film history.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Claudia Cardinale was born on 15 April 1938, in La Goulette, Tunis. At that time, Tunisia was a French protectorate. Her father, Francesco Cardinale, was a railway worker from Gela, Sicily. Her mother, Yolande Greco, was born in Italian Tripolitania to Sicilian parents. Her family later settled in La Goulette, which had a large Italian community.
At home, Claudia spoke only French. She also learned Tunisian Arabic and the Sicilian language of her parents. She did not learn Italian until she started acting in Italian films. Claudia went to the Saint-Joseph-de-l'Apparition School in Carthage with her younger sister Blanche. She then studied at the Paul Cambon School, planning to become a teacher. As a teenager, she was described as quiet and a bit wild. She was inspired by actress Brigitte Bardot.
Beginning Her Acting Journey
Claudia Cardinale's first film experience was in a short film called Anneaux d'or. This film was shown at the Berlin Film Festival and made her a local celebrity. This led to her being noticed by director Jacques Baratier, who offered her a small role in Goha. She took the role, which was her first feature film appearance.
A big moment came in 1957 during the Italian Cinema Week in Tunis. She won the "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia" competition. The prize was a trip to the Venice Film Festival. There, film producers noticed her. She was invited to study at the Experimental Cinematography Centre in Rome. She left after a short time because she found acting difficult, partly due to her struggles with the Italian language. She decided to go home, which surprised many and even led to a magazine story about her decision to leave a film career.
Back in Tunis, Claudia signed a seven-year contract with Franco Cristaldi's film company, Vides. Cristaldi played a big role in managing her early career.
Rising to Stardom in the 1950s
In 1958, Claudia Cardinale had a small role in Mario Monicelli's successful comedy Big Deal on Madonna Street. She played Carmelita, a Sicilian girl. This comedy was a huge hit and made Claudia instantly recognizable. Some newspapers even called her "Italy's sweetheart." Later that year, she had a main role in the romantic comedy Three Strangers in Rome.
In 1959, she appeared in the film Vento del sud and played a wife in Il magistrato. Claudia also starred in Pietro Germi's crime film The Facts of Murder. She considered this her first real test as an actress. She then played Maria in the British film Upstairs and Downstairs. In her early roles, her voice was often dubbed because producers thought it was too hoarse.
Success in the 1960s
In 1960, Claudia Cardinale starred with Marcello Mastroianni in Mauro Bolognini's drama film Il bell'Antonio. This film began a successful partnership between them. Claudia loved working with Bolognini, calling him a "great director" and a "sensitive and sincere friend." She played Pauline Bonaparte in the French film Napoleone ad Austerlitz. She also appeared in Audace colpo dei soliti ignoti and played Ginetta in Luchino Visconti's acclaimed film Rocco and His Brothers. Her performance in Silver Spoon Set also gained her much attention.
In 1961, Cardinale played a young mother in Valerio Zurlini's Girl with a Suitcase. She was praised by critics for her performance. Later in 1961, she starred in Bolognini's La Viaccia. Both Girl with a Suitcase and La Viaccia were shown at the 1961 Cannes Film Festival. People began to see her as a rising star, even compared to Brigitte Bardot.
The next year, Cardinale starred with Jean-Paul Belmondo in the adventure film Cartouche. This made her a major star in France. She also played Angiolina in Bolognini's Senilità.
A Landmark Year: 1963
The year 1963 was very important for Claudia Cardinale's career. She appeared in several major films. She starred with Burt Lancaster in Visconti's The Leopard. She also played a film actress in Federico Fellini's 8½. Both films are considered among the greatest films ever made. She worked on both films at the same time, experiencing Visconti's strict style and Fellini's more relaxed approach.
Before this time, Claudia's own voice was not used in her Italian films because it was thought to be too hoarse. She also had a French accent. In 8½, she was finally allowed to use her own voice. With her roles in The Leopard and 8½, Claudia became a top-ranking star.
In 1963, Cardinale also starred in La ragazza di Bube, where she used her own voice. She won her first Nastro d'Argento for Best Actress for this film in 1965. She also acted in her first American film, The Pink Panther. She played Princess Dala, a wealthy woman.
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In 1964, Cardinale starred in Time of Indifference. She then spent three years in the United States, making several Hollywood films. She chose to sign contracts for individual films, not exclusive deals with one studio. Her first Hollywood film was Circus World (1964) with John Wayne. By the end of the 1960s, she returned to making films mainly in Italy. She preferred living in Europe and did not like the Hollywood "star system."
In 1965, Cardinale appeared in Visconti's Vaghe stelle dell'Orsa. Later that year, she starred with Rock Hudson in Blindfold. She became good friends with Hudson, who was very supportive of her. While in Hollywood, she also became friends with Barbra Streisand and Steve McQueen.
By 1966, Claudia Cardinale was considered the most popular film star in Italy. She starred in the war film Lost Command (1966) with Anthony Quinn. She also played a Mexican marquessa in the Western The Professionals, again with Burt Lancaster. In 1967, she appeared in Una rosa per tutti and Don't Make Waves with Tony Curtis.
In 1968, Cardinale starred in The Day of the Owl, winning a David di Donatello for Best Actress award. She reunited with Rock Hudson in A Fine Pair. She also appeared in The Hell with Heroes and played Jill McBain in Sergio Leone's epic Western Once Upon a Time in the West. Her performance in this film is very well-known. In 1969, Cardinale starred in Nell'anno del Signore and The Red Tent.
Films in the 1970s
In 1970, Claudia Cardinale starred in The Adventures of Gerard. In 1971, she teamed up with Brigitte Bardot in the French Western-comedy The Legend of Frenchie King. She also appeared in A Girl in Australia, which earned her a Best Actress award.
In 1972, Cardinale appeared in L'udienza and La Scoumoune. After a role in One Russian Summer (1973), she starred in Blood Brothers (1974). On the set of this film, she met director Pasquale Squitieri, who later became her partner.
In 1975, Cardinale played a character who stood up against the fascist government in Italy in Libera, My Love. She also appeared in the comedies The Immortal Bachelor and Blonde in Black Leather. In 1976, she was in A Common Sense of Modesty. The next year, she had a role in the miniseries Jesus of Nazareth. Cardinale also starred in her partner's film Il prefetto di ferro, which won a David di Donatello for Best Film. In 1978, she appeared in Goodbye & Amen – L'uomo della CIA and Corleone. After another Squitieri film, L'arma, in 1978, Cardinale played Eleana in the adventure war film Escape to Athena (1979).
Career in the 1980s
After a role in Si salvi chi vuole (1980) and The Salamander, Cardinale played a love interest in the war film The Skin (1981). In 1982, she appeared in Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo. She played a successful business owner who helps fund a project in South America. The film was highly praised. Later that year, Cardinale appeared in the comedy Le Cadeau.
In 1983, Cardinale had a role in the miniseries Princess Daisy and the French-Canadian film Le Ruffian. In 1984, she played a love interest in Henry IV. Squitieri's film Claretta (1984), starring Cardinale, was shown at the 41st Venice International Film Festival. Cardinale won the Nastro d'Argento for Best Actress for her role. In 1985, Cardinale starred in Woman of Wonders.
In 1986, Cardinale made two television films. In La storia, she played a widow during World War II. In her partner's miniseries Naso di Cane, she showed her talent for comedy. In 1987, Cardinale starred in A Man in Love. Her performance as a mother with cancer was praised by critics. After a role in Blu elettrico (1988), Cardinale played Yolande de Polastron in the film La Révolution française in 1989. This film celebrated the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution.
Films in the 1990s
In 1990, Cardinale starred in Squitieri's Atto di dolore and La battaglia dei tre tamburi di fuoco. In 1991, she appeared with Omar Sharif in Mayrig, a film about an Armenian family moving to Marseille. She was praised for her role as the mother. A sequel, 588, rue Paradis, was made the next year.
In 1993, Cardinale received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award at the Venice Film Festival. She also appeared in Son of the Pink Panther, celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Pink Panther. In 1994, Cardinale had a role in Elles ne pensent qu'à ça..., and in 1995, she was in the French TV series 10-07: L'affaire Zeus.
In 1997, Cardinale featured in the British-Italian TV series Nostromo. She and the cast were nominated for an ALMA Award. Later in 1997, Cardinale appeared in Sous les pieds des femmes and her partner's Stupor Mundi. In 1998, Cardinale played a wealthy baroness in Riches, belles, etc.. The next year, she played a peasant mother in the historical film Li chiamarono... briganti!.
Work in the 2000s and Beyond
In 2000, Claudia Cardinale began her stage career in La Venexiana in Paris. She also appeared in her partner's TV film, Élisabeth - Ils sont tous nos enfants. Two years later, Cardinale toured Italy with the play Come tu mi vuoi. She also appeared in the film And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen with Jeremy Irons.
In 2005, Cardinale appeared in a stage production of Tennessee Williams's Sweet Bird of Youth. In 2006/2007, she was in another Williams play, The Glass Menagerie. In 2007, Cardinale appeared in the comedy film Cherche fiancé tous frais payés. After a role in the TV movie Hold-up à l'italienne (2008), Cardinale starred in The String (2009). She played a Tunisian mother with a strong relationship with her son.
In 2010, Cardinale received the Golden Orange Best Actress Award for her role in Signora Enrica. She played an elderly Italian woman who takes in a young Turkish student.
In 2012, Cardinale appeared in Gebo and the Shadow and The Artist and the Model. In 2013, she starred in Joy de V. and the war drama The Silent Mountain. In 2014, Cardinale played a kind Italian chaperone in the British film Effie Gray. She has made over 140 movies and continues to work.
On 11 October 2018, she received the Tabernas de Cine award at the Almería Western Film Festival. In 2020, Cardinale starred in the Swiss miniseries Bulle and had a role in the Netflix film Rogue City.
Personal Life
Claudia Cardinale met Italian film producer Franco Cristaldi in 1958. They had a marriage party, but their marriage was not officially recognized in Italy. They later separated.
Claudia lived with Pasquale Squitieri, an Italian film director, for 42 years. He passed away on 18 February 2017.
Claudia Cardinale has two children. Her son, Patrick, was born when she was 19. Her daughter, Claudia, was born later with Pasquale Squitieri.
Claudia is fluent in Arabic, French, Italian, English, and Spanish. Her niece, Francesca Cardinale, is also an actress.
Claudia Cardinale is a political liberal and has supported feminist causes. She has been awarded the Cavaliere di Gran Croce dell'OMRI. Since March 2000, she has been a UNESCO goodwill ambassador for Women's Rights. She was also a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO World Water Day in 2006.
Cardinale published her autobiography, Io Claudia, Tu Claudia, in 1995. She has received many awards, including an honorary Golden Lion in 1993 and an Honorary Golden Bear in 2002. She believes that mystery is important for an actress and has always kept her personal life private. She says that to be an actress, you need inner strength to become different characters and then return to being yourself.
Filmography
See also
In Spanish: Claudia Cardinale para niños
