Anna Magnani

Anna Magnani had great faith in astrology and numerology. She also claimed to be a Clairvoyant and maintained that she could gain information through extra sensory perception. She had a volatile temper that might have come in the way of a permanent relationship.

In 1935, Anna Magnani married film director Goffredo Alessandrini. The marriage did not last long. The couple separated in 1942; but their marriage was annulled much later in 1950. They did not have any issue.

She had a brief relation with Massimo Serato, an Italian actor and had a son by him. He was born on October 29, 1942 and was named Cellino (Luca). Unfortunately, the child contracted polio when he was eighteen months old. Anna sent him to clinic in Switzerland for treatment; but he could never recover fully. His daughter Olivia Magnani is now a famous actress.

Anna Magnani was born on March 7, 1908 in PortaPia in Rome, Italy. In all probability, her father was an Italian from Calabria region; but some also say that he was an Egyptian by birth. Anna did not know his name and had never met him.

Her mother Marina Magnani was married in Egypt but came back to Rome before Anna was born. She later left Anna in the care of her own mother and did not return.

As a child Anna was frail and plain. She was brought up by her maternal grandmother in the slum district of Rome. She provided her with love and care. Yet, Anna felt forlorn and befriended street kids, who were often rough and tough.

Her grandparents enrolled her at a French Convent school in Rome. Here, she learnt to play the piano and also to speak French. The Nuns in the school used to enact Christmas plays and young Anna watched them with fascination. Soon she also developed a passion for acting.

When she turned 17, Anna joined Eleonora Duse Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She supported her education by singing at nightclubs and cabarets.

It is possible that Anna Magnani started her career as a singer of traditional Roman folk songs. Later she switched to stage acting. In 1926, she joined an acting company and toured all over Italy with them. Next in 1927, they went to Argentina for the same purpose.

In the same year, Anna Magnani took part in a silent cinema called ‘Scampolo’. Her next chance came in 1934, when she was offered the role of Anna, la suaamantein ‘The Blind Woman of Sorrento’ (Italian:Lacieca di Sorrento). After that, she had to wait until 1941 for her next major role.

Meanwhile, she kept on playing small roles in a number of films. Some of these movies include 'Tempo massimo' (1934); 'Quei due' (1935); 'Cavalleria (1936); 'Trenta secondi d'amore' (1936); 'La principessa Tarakanova (1938)) and 'Unalampada all finestra' (1940).

Finally in 1941, she was selected as the second female lead in Vittorio de Sica’s ‘Teresa Venerdì’ (Friday Theresa). From then onwards, she continued playing significant roles in a number of films. 'La fuggitiva' in 1941 and 'La fortunaviene dal cielo' in 1942 were two such films.

In 1943, Anna was offered interesting roles in several films. Some of them were 'Finalmente soli'; 'L'ultimacarrozzella' (The Last Wagon); 'Gliassidellarisata'; 'Campo de' fiori' (The Peddler and the Lady); 'La vita è bella' and 'L'avventura di Annabella (Annabella's Adventure)'.

‘Rome, Open City’ was the first major film in her life. It was the first Italian film to attract international attention. Her acting too was highly appreciated by the critiques.

The Oscar winning ‘The Rose Tattoo’ is another major work in her life. In this film she had portrayed the role of a widowed mother and received multiple awards for this role. The film too did well at box office and earned $4.2 million in USA alone.