Best known in conjunction with her work under the direction of husband Federico Fellini, Giulietta Masina was among the most acclaimed international actresses of the postwar era; a skilled, button-eyed comedienne equally capable of delivering poignant, emotionally charged dramatic performances, her accomplishments were often overshadowed by the groundbreaking achievements of her more celebrated spouse. Born February 22, 1921, in San Giorgio di Piano, Italy, Masina initially studied literature but later turned to acting; while attending university in Rome, she joined a drama ensemble and later signed on with the Ateneo Theatre Group. At the same time, Fellini was working as a radio scriptwriter, and based on her photographs, he cast Masina in Cico e Pallina, a series about a newlywed couple. They fell in love while working on the program and were married in 1943. Masina then retired from performing, but returned to the stage several years later.
By the late '40s, Fellini had become a well-known figure within Italian cinematic circles, and his connections helped Masina break into films; after briefly appearing in Roberto Rossellini's 1946 picture Paisà, two years later she starred in Alberto Lattuada's Senza Pieta, a performance which earned her a Silver Ribbon (Italy's most prominent motion-picture award) as Best Supporting Actress. Masina's next performance was in…  » Read more