Over the course of her over 60-year career, the mysterious Claudia Cardinale captivated audiences with her amazing presence on television.
Cardinale took the frequently traumatized way to celebrity, not intending to become one of the best performers of the golden period.
She claims that “cinema saved my life,” having outlasted the now-deceased Hollywood heavyweights with whom she had a screen share and continuing to thrive at the age of 86.
To find out more about this actress and her current endeavors, continue reading!
Being a legendary actress, Claudia Cardinale will always be remembered for her contributions to Italian and foreign cinema. Throughout her career, she was able to portray a wide range of complex and memorable roles thanks to her talent, beauty, and versatility.
At eighteen, the Italian actor, who was born in Tunisia, was pursuing her education to become a teacher. The young woman with shiny hair and French accent was enthralled with the pomp of an Italian film festival when she emerged from the crowd and won the title of Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia.
“I was assisting my mother and Italian government representatives in setting up an Italian film festival in Tunisia. I wasn’t supposed to be there, but I couldn’t help but stare at the females on stage. I was called the Most Beautiful Girl in Tunisia after someone shoved me out onto the platform, the girl claimed.
The young lady had numerous offers from producers after winning a trip to the Venice film festival, which she saw as a portentous adventure.
Cardinale said in an interview that he initially declined the offers because “it’s like a man.” If you respond positively to him when he approaches, he will eventually move on. He will long to have you if you say no.
She turned down most of the offers because she was expecting a child.
She was unable to turn down one producer, though. The young Cardinale caught the eye of renowned Italian producer Franco Cristaldi, who is recognized for his work on feature films from the 1950s through the 1990s, and he signed her to an 18-year contract.
A personal contract was also in place; after their marriage, Cristaldi completely controlled her, molding her into an Italian Brigitte Bardot and deciding on her social life, weight, and movie choices.
Cristaldi insisted that her pregnancy remain a secret.
It was revealed that her son was her younger brother.
Cardinale had a few small parts in Italian movies under Cristaldi’s direction, and because of her roles, she was known as “Italy’s sweetheart.”
Her breakthrough performance came in the romantic comedy Three Strangers in Rome in 1958. Seven months into her pregnancy—which, at Cristaldi’s insistence, she kept a secret—Cardinale fell into a depressive state and contemplated suicide, appealing with her management to end the arrangement.
Rather, Cristaldi sent her to London to avoid media attention, fabricating a story about her absence to acquire English for a part.
Her baby Patrick was born in 1975, and she claimed that the father of the kid, an unnamed male, had raped her. Her son Patrick’s identity remained concealed until he reached nineteen.
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‘Violent truth’
The graphic details of Cardinale’s pregnancy were revealed to Italian writer Enzo Biagi in 2017, when she confided in him, saying, “A man I didn’t know, much older than me, forced me to go up to car and raped me.” It was horrific, but the most lovely thing is that the violence gave birth to my amazing Patrick. In actuality, I chose not to have an abortion even though it was a really difficult scenario for a single mother.”
“That man came back and demanded that I have an abortion when he found out that I was pregnant,” she went on. I didn’t consider getting rid of my creature for even a second!
“With him I was practically an employee, a subordinate who was paid a month for the four films I made a year: I didn’t even call him by name, but by surname,” Cardinale claimed of Cristaldi, who ruled her life. I felt enslaved, and my parents were enraged.He was the one with me since I wasn’t in love. In summary, Cristaldi was undoubtedly a fantastic producer, but it’s best to ignore his personal life.
Her career was unaffected by her toxic marriage to Cristaldi, which she ended in 1975.
The natural beauty immediately established herself as one of Italy’s top actors after starring alongside Omar Sharif in the French-Tunisian film Goha. After that, she landed major parts in Rocco and his Brothers (1960) and The Leopard (1963), costarring with Burt Lancaster, which won an Oscar. She also acted in Marcello Mastroianni’s film 8½. Award-winning director Martin Scorsese lists both of the movies in which she portrayed an apparently unachievable object of desire as two of his top 12.
‘Italian Brigitte Bardot’
Gaining traction in Hollywood, she starred alongside David Nivens in The Pink Panther and then shared the screen with legends like John Wayne and Rita Hayworth in 1964’s Circus World.
Credit: Shutterstock
Celebrated for her performance as a sex worker in the 1968 American-Italian production Once Upon a Time in the West, Cardinale shared the screen with legendary actors Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, and Henry Fonda.
However, viewers relished witnessing Cardinale, also known as the Italian Brigitte Bardot, alongside her friend and adversary, the genuine Bardot, in 1971’s The Legend of Frenchie King. What distinguished her from Bardot? “I always thought it was more erotic to leave some room to imagination, hinting at things rather than showing everything,” she claimed, denying ever having shown up nude in a movie.
Hollywood work was lucrative but also demanding. Cardinale stated that she wished to leave the patriarchal Hollywood system in a Life article that called her “the most admired international film star since Sophia Loren.” Cardinale made the statement, “If I have to give up the money, I give it up,” in reference to the lesser pay in Europe. I want to avoid seeming cliche.
‘You cannot stop time’
Cardinale stated that even if her career has slowed down, she is content to have left the sexualized spotlight behind.
My childhood desire was to travel the world. And I succeeded in doing it. I never changed my appearance, and I never was nude. It really doesn’t appeal to me. Since time cannot be stopped, I prefer to be who I am,” Cardinale remarked.
In 1975, Cardinale wed Italian director Pasquale Squitieri, with whom he remained until his passing in 2017. Claudia is the couple’s lone daughter.
Cardinale responded to reports in 2022 that she had been hospitalized against her will. She claimed to be in good health and to be living adjacent to her family in France. I also want to wish a pleasant summer to all.
As the goodwill ambassador for the Defense of Women’s Rights at UNESCO, Cardinale is actively working with the organization these days.
Claudia Cardinale led a life that was both successful and terrible. We hope she stays well and that her tale will continue to motivate other women, as it is truly admirable. What is your preferred Cardinale movie?
She rose to fame on Dallas, take a moment to prepare yourself for her appearance today at 84
Linda Gray became a household name thanks to her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the beloved soap opera Dallas. Over the course of more than 300 episodes, she not only showcased her incredible talent but also faced numerous personal challenges along the way. Today, at 84 years old, Gray continues to shine.
Throughout the history of film and television, we have witnessed remarkable performances by countless actors. Some portrayals resonate so deeply that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role. For instance, who could envision Little House on the Prairie without Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls or Mary Poppins without Dick Van Dyke as Bert? Similarly, Linda Gray’s portrayal of Sue Ellen is irreplaceable, and fans of the show are grateful she was cast in such a pivotal role.
Gray’s life has been nothing short of extraordinary, resembling a roller coaster filled with ups and downs. She has confronted life-threatening illnesses, addiction, and a challenging marriage. Despite these adversities, she has always emerged stronger, committed to making the most of her life and career.
Starring alongside Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy on Dallas, Gray recently opened up about her experiences working with Hagman and the dynamic chemistry they shared on set.
Born on September 12, 1940, in Santa Monica, California, Gray faced a significant challenge in her childhood when she was diagnosed with polio. Her grandfather had also contracted the virus, leaving her family in distress. However, Linda maintained a surprisingly optimistic outlook during her own diagnosis. “They didn’t know what it was when he was 17, and he was always in a wheelchair”, she recalled. “When I was diagnosed, everyone went crazy in my family, but I wasn’t. I thought I could have a wheelchair like Grandpa.”
Growing up in Culver City, California, where her father owned a watchmaker shop, Linda was drawn to the performing arts from a young age. She often entertained her neighbors and even starred as Cinderella in a school production at Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles.
While her father provided a stable presence, he was emotionally distant. As Gray noted in her 2015 memoir, The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction, “He was just kind of there, like a piece of furniture”, and emotional discussions were off-limits. In contrast, her mother, Marge, a former artist and ballerina, struggled with alcoholism, leaving Linda and her sister to take charge of the household. “She wasn’t mean, she was just blurred, in her own world”, Gray wrote. This upbringing inspired Linda to pursue a different path, determined to avoid her mother’s fate.
With dreams of a career in medicine initially, Gray soon shifted her focus to acting, influenced by the Hollywood landscape surrounding her. She spent her teenage years modeling for various companies and airlines.
At 21, Linda married photographer Edward Lee Thrasher, but the marriage became a struggle. Her aspirations took a backseat as she became a wife and mother, welcoming son Jeff in 1960 and daughter Kehly six years later. Linda felt emotionally neglected, describing the marriage as “cold” and ultimately deciding to leave after 21 years.
Despite her husband’s disapproval of her pursuing acting, Gray took the plunge and began landing television commercials. She had minor roles in films like Under the Yum Yum Tree and Palm Springs Weekend but hit the jackpot when, at 27, she became Anne Bancroft’s body double for The Graduate poster (1967). Ironically, she later portrayed Mrs. Robinson in a 2001 stage adaptation of the same film.
In her memoir, Gray also shared a humorous rejection letter from Glamour magazine she received in the early 1960s, which she kept as a reminder of resilience. “It kicked me from behind, and made me want to go and do something”, she said.
Though she loved motherhood, the lack of a fulfilling career frustrated her. When she finally enrolled in acting classes, her husband dismissed the idea, suggesting she wait until their children were older. At 37, she forged ahead and trained alongside younger actors. It wasn’t long before she secured her first significant role as a guest star on Marcus Welby, M.D. in 1974.
The turning point came in 1978 when Gray was cast as Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas. Initially meant to be a recurring role for just five episodes, her performance resonated with audiences and critics alike, leading to her becoming a series regular and turning her into a star.
Dallas, set against the backdrop of family rivalry and scandal at Southfork Ranch, showcased Gray’s exceptional talent. Her chemistry with Larry Hagman was palpable, but she clarified that it stemmed from a sibling-like bond. “He was the bad big brother that I never had”, she explained. Their dynamic translated beautifully on-screen, captivating both the network executives and viewers alike.
The show broke numerous viewing records, becoming one of the most-watched television series in history. The iconic episode revealing who shot J.R. Ewing drew an estimated 80 million viewers, a record that stood until surpassed by MASH*.
For her role, Gray received two Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress. After divorcing Ed Thrasher in 1983, her son Jeff pursued a career in directing and earned an Emmy nomination in 2018. Tragically, he passed away in 2020 after battling leukemia. Gray honored him on Instagram, celebrating his life and the love he shared with those around him.
Throughout her tenure on Dallas, Gray appeared in 308 episodes. Following the show’s conclusion, she continued to work in television and reprised her role as Sue Ellen in the 2012 revival of Dallas, which aired for two seasons. She received a Special Award at the 2014 USA Film Festival, further cementing her legacy.
Now, at 84, Linda Gray remains as stunning as ever. She has navigated many challenges, from her childhood struggles to her difficult marriage and the loss of her son. Through it all, she has learned to transform adversity into resilience.
We admire her strength and wish her continued success in the years to come! Feel free to share this inspiring story with your family and friends.
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