Laura Antonelli

COP11 · September 14, 2010

Laura Antonelli (born 28 November 1941) is a retired Italian film actress, who appeared in 45 movies between 1965 and 1991.

Early years

Antonelli was born Laura Antonaz in Pola, then capital of the province of Istria, Italy (now Pula, Croatia).

Career

Originally trained in Naples to teach physical education, Antonelli first appeared in Italian advertisements for Coca Cola and made her first film, Le sedicenni, in 1965, followed by her American debut, Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966). Other roles followed; her breakthrough came in 1973's Malizia. She appeared in a number of sex farces such as Till Marriage Do Us Part/Mio Dio come sono caduta in basso!.

She worked in more serious films as well: L'innocente/The Innocent (1976), and Mogliamante/Wifemistress (1977), as a repressed wife experiencing a sexual awakening. Later she appeared in Passione d'Amore (1981). Antonelli's most recent role was in the sequel Malizia 2000 (1991).

She won the David di Donatello prize in 1973 and 1981 and the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Award, Nastro d'Argento in 1974.

In May, 1991, cocaine was found during a police raid on Antonelli's home. She was subsequently convicted of possession and dealing and sentenced to house arrest. She spent ten years appealing the conviction which was eventually overturned.