Elsa Martinelli was an Italian actress best known for her roles in The Indian Fighter, Hatari!, and Blood and Roses. She became famous for her elegance and striking beauty, often compared to Audrey Hepburn.
Personal and Family Life
Born on January 30, 1935, in Grosseto, Tuscany, Elsa was one of eight children in a struggling family. She began working at a young age to support her family and eventually moved into modeling, which paved her way to acting. She was married twice, first to Count Franco Mancinelli Scotti di San Vito and later to Willy Rizzo, with whom she had one daughter named Cristiana Mancinelli.
Career Highlights
Elsa Martinelli’s career took off when she was discovered by Kirk Douglas while she was modeling in New York. She made her film debut in Hollywood with The Indian Fighter in 1955, but she later returned to Italy to build her career away from the American film industry. Throughout the 1960s, she starred in a variety of films, showing her versatility in roles ranging from a romantic lead to characters in horror films. Her notable works included Hatari! and The Pigeon That Took Rome.
Death and Legacy
Elsa Martinelli passed away on July 8, 2017, in Rome, Italy, at the age of 82 due to cancer. She was remembered as a style icon and a talented actress whose contributions to cinema remain appreciated. Her glamorous image and varied roles have left a lasting impact on film and fashion.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Indian Fighter | 1955-12-21 | Onahti |
| Hatari! | 1962-06-19 | Anna Maria ‘Dallas’ D’Allesandro |
| Blood and Roses | 1960-09-14 | Georgia Monteverdi |
| The Pigeon That Took Rome | 1962-06-19 | Antonella Massimo |
| Le Procès | 1962-12-21 | Hilda |
| OSS 117 prend des vacances | 1970-02-04 | Elsa |
| La decima vittima | 1965-12-02 | Olga |
| Un dollaro per 7 vigliacchi | 1968-05-30 | Vic Shaw |
| Je vous salue, mafia! | 1965-08-10 | Sylvia |
| Il mio corpo per un poker | 1968-03-15 | Belle Starr |