Pink Panther actress Claudia Cardinale dies at 85

Italian screen legend Claudia Cardinale, renowned for her iconic roles in European cinema during the 1960s and 1970s, has passed away at the age of 87, as reported by AFP on Tuesday, September 23.

According to her agent, Laurent Savry, the actress died peacefully at her home in Nemours, France, due to natural causes. Cardinale had been largely out of the public eye since 2022, following complications from a hip surgery in 2019. Le Monde reflected on her life, noting that she "faded gracefully," with no extended illness reported. In accordance with French privacy laws, no autopsy or medical details were made public.

Claudia Cardinale's Notable Roles

Claudia Cardinale, who appeared in over 100 films and television productions, was celebrated for her roles, including her portrayal of youthful purity in Federico Fellini’s “8½” (1963), alongside Marcello Mastroianni. That same year, she was acclaimed for her role as Angelica Sedara in Luchino Visconti’s adaptation of “The Leopard.” In 1968, she played a reformed prostitute in Sergio Leone’s iconic spaghetti western “Once Upon a Time in the West.”

Claudia Cardinale's entry into the film industry was sparked by her win at the "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia" beauty contest in 1957. This victory led to her discovery by Italian film producer Franco Cristaldi, who became her mentor and later her husband.

Claudia’s early life

Born on April 15, 1938, in Tunis, Tunisia, to Sicilian parents, Cardinale grew up in La Goulette, a neighborhood of Tunis. Her win at the beauty contest earned her a trip to Italy, which marked the beginning of her film career.

Early career and rise to stardom

Claudia Cardinale's breakthrough role came in 1958 with "Big Deal on Madonna Street," produced by Franco Cristaldi, who managed her career and later became her partner. Despite her performances being initially dubbed due to her deep voice and French-accented Italian, Cardinale's striking screen presence and captivating beauty quickly established her as a leading actress.

Cardinale was often likened to Brigitte Bardot, following in the footsteps of Sophia Loren's international success. While she may not have achieved the same level of fame as Loren, Cardinale garnered acclaim for her collaborations with renowned European and Hollywood directors. Her work with cinematic giants like Luchino Visconti, Federico Fellini, and Sergio Leone showcased her talent and cemented her status as a symbol of Italian cinema's golden era.