Since the beginning, in the world of cinema, there are many Italian actors who have become famous abroad, great artists who, with their performances, have given prestige to Italian cinema.
Some of these actors belong to black and white cinema, others to more recent ones, but let's see in detail who they are.
The first Italian actors abroad
The first famous Italian actor, celebrated as a great star abroad, is, without a doubt, Rodolfo Valentino, one of the greatest stars of silent cinema.
Besides being an actor, Rodolfo Valentino was also a dancer considered a true sex symbol who earned the nickname Latin Lover.
After conquering Italy he also became famous in the United States thanks to one of his most famous films, “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”.
Between the 1950s and 1960s there were three great Italian actresses who conquered foreign audiences and critics, these are: Anna Magnani, Sophia Loren and Claudia Cardinale.
Anna Magnani, who went down in history with her performance in the film “Rome, Open City”, but made her way into the hearts of many by also acting in “Bellissima”, “Mamma Roma”, “The Rose Tattoo” and “Pelle di serpente” in which she starred alongside Marlon Brando.
Sophia Loren she was sought after by the best Italian and foreign directors, both for her striking beauty and for her notable acting skills.
Of all her many performances, the one that helped make her famous and appreciated abroad is in the film “Two Women” which won her an Oscar in 1962.
Claudia Cardinale Like Anna Magnani and Sofia Loren, she took part in important Hollywood productions, including “The Circus”, a film in which she acted with John Wayne and Rita Hayworth.
Among the Italian male actors on the podium there is, without a doubt, Marcello Mastroianni who, during his career, worked with the best Italian directors such as Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni, performances that were also highly appreciated abroad.
Giancarlo Giannini, together with Mariangela Melato, also became famous abroad thanks to some of the best films by director Lina Wertmüller such as “Mimì metallurgico” and “Swept Away”, the latter reinterpreted by his son Adriano alongside Madonna in 2002.
Famous Italian actors abroad today
There are many Italian actors in the contemporary scene who manage to gain appreciation abroad.
The most loved is definitely Pierfrancesco Favino who, thanks to his versatility and excellent knowledge of the English language, has participated in important productions such as “Angels & Demons” by Ron Howard, “World War Z” alongside Brad Pitt and “Miracle at St. Anna” by Spike Lee.
Another Italian actress very well known abroad is certainly the charming Monica Bellucci.
There are many foreign films in which she acts alongside international stars such as in “Matrix Reloaded” and “Matrix Revolutions” with Keanu Reeves, but it is the Italian film “Malena” that consolidated her status as a cinema icon.
Much loved abroad, it is the Neapolitan Valeria Golino who, with her participation in “Rain Man” alongside Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, saw the doors of Hollywood open.
After that performance she shot several American films such as “Hot Shots” and “Hot Shots 2” and “Lone Wolf”, directed by Sean Penn. Our very talented Valeria Golino is also loved in France.
Famous Italian actors in TV series
Among the famous Italian actors in TV series the most appreciated is Alessandro Borghi, thanks to his versatility and ability to empathize with the characters. His performance in the 2020 TV series “Devils” alongside Patrick Dempsey was very important.
The young and charismatic Matilda Angelis she is another Italian actress to be proud of.
Thanks to her versatility, she captured the attention of foreign audiences with the American TV series “The Undoing” acting alongside stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant.
Even the very good one Alessandra Mastronardi she managed to make an impact on foreign audiences.
After the Italian TV series “I Cesaroni” Alessandra made her way into Italian cinema and then into foreign cinema by acting in Woody Allen’s film “To Rome with Love” and again in the foreign TV series “Master of None” and “Medici”.
These and many others are the Italian actors who have made themselves appreciated abroad, interpreters of true masterpieces who have been able to best tell the stories and emotions in Italian and non-Italian films.
Leave a comment (0)