Personal Info
Birth date
1923-01-01 (102 Years)
Day of death
2019-07-10
Gender
Female
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Also known as
Valentina Cortesa
Valentina Cortese
Biography
Valentina Cortese (January 1, 1923 - July 10, 2019) was an Italian film actress. The Milan-born actress starred in The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) directed by Robert Wise, and costarring Richard Basehart and William Lundigan. Cortese, aged 28, married Basehart in 1951, and had one son with him before they divorced in 1960. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1975 for her performance in François Truffaut's Day for Night. Cortese appeared in Jules Dassin's Thieves' Highway (1949), Joseph L. Mankiewicz's The Barefoot Contessa (1954), Michelangelo Antonioni's Le Amiche (1955), Gérard Brach's The Boat on the Grass, Terry Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), and in the Franco Zeffirelli projects such as the 1972 film Brother Sun, Sister Moon, his 1977 miniseries, Jesus of Nazareth and the 1993 film Sparrow.
Filmography
Jesus of Nazareth
7.8
Overview:
Dramatizes the Birth, Life, Ministry, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, largely according to the Holy Bible's New Testament Gospels.I promessi sposi
6.4
Overview:
Set between 1629 and 1631. Renzo Tramaglino and Lucia Mondella are Lombard peasants forced to separate and endure a thousand vicissitudes because of the bullying of the squire Don Rodrigo. However, during their journey they will find various people willing to help them, from Friar Cristoforo to the Innominato, from Federigo Borromeo to Donna Prassede.Lux Video Theatre
6.333
Overview:
Lux Video Theatre is an American anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1959. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
6.957
Overview:
An account of Baron Munchausen's supposed travels and fantastical experiences with his band of misfits.Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
7.25
Overview:
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both comedies and drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The title was shortened to Schlitz Playhouse, beginning with the fall 1957 season.Appassionata
5.7
Overview:
Two teenage friends conspire to find out how much their youthful sensuality can disrupt one of their households, headed by a dentist and his mentally-ill wife.Barabbas
6.888
Overview:
Epic account of the thief Barabbas, who was pardoned for his crimes and spared crucifixion when Pilate offered the Israelites a choice to pardon Barabbas or Jesus. Struggling with his spirituality, Barabbas goes through many ordeals leading him to the gladiatorial arena, where he tries to win his freedom and confront his inner demons, ultimately becoming a follower of the man who was crucified in his place.Day for Night
7.776
Overview:
A committed film director struggles to complete his movie while coping with a myriad of crises, personal and professional, among the cast and crew.The Barefoot Contessa
6.781
Overview:
Has-been director Harry Dawes gets a new lease on his career when the independently wealthy tycoon Kirk Edwards hires him to write and direct a film. They go to Madrid to find Maria Vargas, a dancer who will star in the film.Brother Sun, Sister Moon
7
Overview:
In his delirium from his return from war, Francesco Bernardone goes back in his memories to the days when he lived for parties and carnal pleasures. He slowly recovers, but after the illness he is no longer the Francesco that everybody knew. Instead of spending hours in taverns, he meditates on the beauty of God's creatures, soon renouncing his riches and his family with plans to rebuild an abandoned church and his life.When Time Ran Out...
5.341
Overview:
An active volcano threatens a south Pacific island resort and its guests as a power struggle ensues between the property's developer and a drilling foreman.The House on Telegraph Hill
6.3
Overview:
Concentration camp survivor Victoria Kowelska finds herself involved in mystery, greed, and murder when she assumes the identity of a dead friend in order to gain passage to America.The Assassination of Trotsky
5.1
Overview:
A Stalinist assassin tracks exiled revolutionary Leon Trotsky to Mexico in 1940.Juliet of the Spirits
7.248
Overview:
Middle-aged Giulietta grows suspicious of her husband, Giorgio, when his behavior grows increasingly questionable. One night when Giorgio initiates a seance amongst his friends, Giulietta gets in touch with spirits and learns more about herself and her painful past. Slightly skeptical, but intrigued, she visits a mystic who gives her more information -- and nudges her toward the realization that her husband is indeed a philanderer.The Secret of Santa Vittoria
6.9
Overview:
During World War II, Italian villagers hide their wine from the German army.La Classe américaine
7.611
Overview:
George Abitbol, the classiest man in the world, dies tragically during a cruise. The director of an American newspaper, wondering about the meaning of these intriguing final words, asks his three best investigators, Dave, Peter and Steven, to solve the mystery. (Sixteen French actors dub scenes from various Warner Bros. films to create a parody of Citizen Kane, 1941.)Thieves' Highway
7.264
Overview:
Nick Garcos comes back from his tour of duty in World War II planning to settle down with his girlfriend, Polly Faber. He learns, however, that his father was recently beaten and burglarized by mob-connected trucker Mike Figlia, and Nick resolves to get even. He partners with prostitute Rica, and together they go after Mike, all the while getting pulled further into the local crime underworld.The Girl Who Knew Too Much
7
Overview:
A tourist witnesses a murder and finds herself caught up in a series of bloody killings.The Legend of Lylah Clare
5.896
Overview:
A dictatorial film director hires an unknown actress to play the lead role in a planned movie biography of a late, great Hollywood star.The Glass Mountain
6
Overview:
An aspiring composer, in the British Air Force for WWII, is downed in Italy and rescued by an Italian girl. He returns home to his wife, inspired to write an opera and aware that he's fallen in love with his rescuer.The Visit
7
Overview:
Carla Zachanassian had a child by Serge Miller as a teenager. When Serge refused to marry her, she was driven out of town. By her own wit and cunning, she has returned as a multi-millionaire for a visit. The town lays out the red carpet expecting big things from Carla, only to learn that her sole purpose is to see Serge Miller killed...Kidnap Syndicate
6.7
Overview:
After his son is kidnapped, a millionaire industrialist seeks revenge, in spite of the potential danger that his rash actions will bring about for his child and another kidnapped boy, the son of a poor mechanic.Secret People
6.3
Overview:
This tale of intrigue finds Valentina Cortese involved in an assassination plot. She helps the police apprehend the conspirators after an innocent bystander is accidentally killed.Il cav. Costante Nicosia demoniaco, ovvero Dracula in Brianza
6
Overview:
A boorish, snobish toothpaste factory owner, Constantino Nicosia, gives his wife and everyone a hard time having let success and wealth go to his head. But after the superticous Nicosia has an encounter with an elderly gypsy aunt, and a business trip to Romania results in another encounter with a suave vampire, named Count Dragalescu, Nicosia returns with blood-sucking like qualities which makes him re-examine his life and existence.Kean: Genius or Scoundrel
6.8
Overview:
England, first half of the 19th century. Edmund Kean is a celebrated theatre actor, notorious for his tumultuous private life. He is in love with the beautiful countess Koefeld, wife of the Danish ambassador, to the consternation of his friend, the Prince of Wales. He is also hounded by Anna Damby, who wants to become an actress to escape a marriage to Lord Mewill.Malaya
6.5
Overview:
After living abroad for several years, journalist John Royer returns to the United States just after the U.S. enters World War II. His boast that he could easily smuggle rubber, a key wartime natural resource, out of Malaya has him tasked with doing just that. He manages to get someone from his past, Carnaghan, sprung from Alactraz and together they head off to South East Asia posing as Irishmen. Once there, Carnaghan lines up some of his old cronies and with Royer and a few plantation owners plans to smuggle the rubber out from under the Japanese army's watchful eye.Rome: Free City
5.333
Overview:
In a post-war Rome (1946) a cat burglar inadvertently saves the life of a would-be suicide man who returns from the war to find that he has been betrayed by his fiancée while fighting in the war. From that moment the thief takes the ex-soldier under his wing. They leave house together for a night full of misadventures. In a streets of Rome they meet the struggling typist who can’t pay her rent and opts to street life; a wandering amnesiac who lost his memory and keeps asking everyone “Do you recognize me?”. Thieves, gamblers, hookers, policemen, soldiers and endless chain of cigarette-smoking and alcohol/espresso-drinking.Acting
2017Diva! as Unknown
2007Le ragazze di Milano as Self
2000Federico Fellini's Autobiography as Self
1994Sparrow as Madre Superiora
1993La Classe américaine as The Helicopter Man's Wife (archive footage) (uncredited)
1991Buster's Bedroom as Serafina Tannenbaum
1989I promessi sposi (5 Episodes) as Donna Prassede
1988The Adventures of Baron Munchausen as Queen Ariadne / Violet
1988Facciaffittasi as Gina Grandi
1987Via Montenapoleone as madre di Guido
1987Blue Tango as Rachele Cigno
1980When Time Ran Out... as Rose Valdez
1979Ring of Darkness as Elena Merrill
1978Tanto va la gatta al lardo... as Wilma/Leonilde Bosco Casagrande
1977Widows' Nest as Dolores
1977Jesus of Nazareth (4 Episodes) as Herodias
1976The Big Operator as Witwe
1976Nick the Sting as Regina
1975Son tornate a fiorire le rose as Unknown
1975Kidnap Syndicate as Grazia Filippini
1975Il cav. Costante Nicosia demoniaco, ovvero Dracula in Brianza as Olghina Franchetti
1974The Kiss of Death as Elizabeth Blixen
1974Tender Dracula as Unknown
1974Amore mio non farmi male as Unknown
1974Appassionata as Elisa Rutelli
1973Day for Night as Séverine
1972The Assassination of Trotsky as Natalia Trotsky
1972Brother Sun, Sister Moon as Pica Di Bernardone
1972Chronicle of a Homicide as Luisa Sola
1971The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire as Madame Sobieski
1971The Boat on the Grass as Catherine
1970The Love Mates as Eva
1970First Love as Mutter
1970Give Her the Moon as Madeleine de Lépine
1970The Secret of Santa Vittoria as Gabriella (uncredited)
1969Oh, Grandmother's Dead as Ornella
1969Il killer (3 Episodes) as Unknown
1968Listen, Let's Make Love as Lallo's Mother
1968The Legend of Lylah Clare as Countess Bozo Bedoni
1966Black Sun as Maria
1965Juliet of the Spirits as Valentina
1965Antonioni: Documents and Testimonials as Self
1965The Possessed as Irma
1965Reporter’s Diary: 'Zoom on Fellini' as Self
1964The Visit as Mathilda Miller
1963The Girl Who Knew Too Much as Laura Craven-Torrani
1962Story of San Michele as Eleonora Duse
1961Barabbas as Julia
1961Square of Violence as Erica Bernardi
1958Love and Troubles as Marisa
1957Kean: Genius or Scoundrel as Fanny
1956The Rocket from Calabuch as Eloísa, la maestra de escuela
1955Le Amiche as Nene
1955Il Conte Aquila as Teresa Casati
1955Adriana Lecouvreur as Adriana Lecouvreur
1955Magic Fire as Mathilde Wesendonk
1954The Barefoot Contessa as Eleanora Torlato-Favrini
1954Jailbirds as Luprandi's wife
1954Il matrimonio as Unknown
1954Angels of Darkness as Vally
1953Lulù as Unknown
1953La passeggiata as Lisa
1952Secret People as Maria Brentano / Brent / Lena Collins
1951Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1 Episode) as Dr. Bruni
1951The House on Telegraph Hill as Victoria Kowelska
1950Lux Video Theatre (1 Episode) as Emilie Gallatin
1950Shadow of the Eagle as Elizabeth, Princess Tarakanova
1949Malaya as Luana
1949Thieves' Highway as Rica
1949Black Magic as Zoraida
1949The Glass Mountain as Alida Morrosini
1948Crossroads of Passion as Maria Pilar
1948L'ebreo errante as Ester
1948Les Misérables - Storm Over Paris as Cosetta
1948Les Misérables as Fantine
1947Il corriere del re as Unknown
1947Il passatore as Barbara
1946Rome: Free City as La ragazza
1946Un americano in vacanza as Maria
1945Chi l'ha visto? as Luisella
1945No One Comes Back as Valentina
19434 girls dream as Unknown
1943Giorni felici as Marianna
1942Quarta pagina as Valentina
1942Soltanto un bacio as Maria Renda / Luisa Renda
1942La regina di Navarra as Unknown
1942The Jester's Supper as Lisabetta
1942Girl of the Golden West as Madge
1942Orizzonte di sangue as Unknown
1941Primo amore as Nerina Redi
1941Il bravo di Venezia as Alina
1941L'attore scomparso as Unknown