Anna Magnani

Anna Magnani (March 7, 1908 - September 26, 1973) was an Italian actress. Born in Rome (although some biographies say Egypt), she was born illegitimate, and never knew who her father was. When she was abandoned by her mother at an early age, Anna was raised by her maternal grandmother. She attended the Academy of Dramatic Art in Rome, paying her way by working at nightclubs and cabarets. She had a small part in a silent film, Scampolo, in 1928, but did not become well-known until the 1940s, starring in Vittori DiSica's Teresa Venerdì and in Roma, città aperta (Open City).

In 1955 she went to Hollywood, and starred in the film version of Tennessee Williams' The Rose Tattoo, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. In 1957, she was nominated for Best Actress for Wild is the Wind. She also starred in The Secret of Santa Vittoria.

Magnani had celebrated love affairs, with director Roberto Rossellini and with actor Massimo Serato, with whom she had a son, who was stricken with polio. Her single marriage, to director Goffredo Alessandrini, did not last long.

She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6381 Hollywood Blvd.