Serena Grandi

Last updated
Serena Grandi
Born
Serena Faggioli

(1958-03-12) 12 March 1958 (age 67)
Bologna, Italy
OccupationActress
Years active1980–present

Serena Faggioli (Bologna, 23 March 1958), known professionally as Serena Grandi, is an Italian actress, famous as a sex symbol in Italian cinema of the 1980s and 1990s. She was a popular pin-up model in Italy. During her film career, some films credited her as Vanessa Steiger, and she was notable in particular for two gory opuses, Antropophagus (1980) and Delirium (1987).

Contents

Biography

Serena Grandi was born in Bologna, Italy. She graduated in computer programming and was first employed in a scientific analysis laboratory. [1] She started her acting career in 1980, playing a supporting role in the comedy film La Compagna di viaggio by Ferdinando Baldi.

In the same year, Grandi played the role of Maggie in the controversial film Antropophagus , directed by Joe D'Amato. This film is well known among horror movie fans for its extreme gore sequences. [1] [2] After several minor roles, she took the title role in Tinto Brass' Miranda , which gave her the status of sex symbol in her native Italy and set the path for her stardom. [1]

Through the 1980s, Grandi made nearly 20 films, mainly appearing in commedie sexy all'italiana and erotic films, but also starring in sword epics such as The Adventures of Hercules and in some horror films. In 1987 Lamberto Bava gave her the role of Gloria in his film Delirium . In 1991 she married the antiquarian Beppe Ercole, 20 years her senior, with whom she had a son Edoardo; the couple divorced in 1998. [1]

In the 1990s, Grandi started to back away from the spotlight; during this time she focused her career on television series. [1]

In 2003-2004 Grandi spent 157 days under house arrest, accused of having sold a few grams of cocaine. The case was later dismissed. [1]

In 2006, Grandi was a candidate in the list of Social Action, a right-wing party led by Alessandra Mussolini, but she was not elected. The same year she published her first novel, L’amante del federale. In 2008, after a break of ten years, she returned to acting. [1]

In 2017 Grandi competed in Grande Fratello VIP , the Italian adaptation of Celebrity Big Brother .

Filmography

Films

Film roles showing year released, title, role played and notes
YearTitleRoleNotes
1980 Mia moglie è una strega Female passengerUncredited
Tranquille donne di campagnaAida
La compagna di viaggioTeodoro's wifeCameo appearance
I'm Photogenic WomanUncredited
Antropophagus Maggie
1981Teste di quoioNurse #1Cameo appearance
1982 Pierino colpisce ancora Rosina
Pierino la peste alla riscossa!WaitressCameo appearance
Malamore ProstituteCameo appearance
Sturmtruppen 2 - Tutti al frontePaesantUncredited
1983 Tu mi turbi Guardian angel
Acapulco, prima spiaggia… a sinistraMovie starCameo appearance
1984 A Boy and a Girl ProstituteCameo appearance
1985 The Adventures of Hercules Euryale
Miranda Miranda
1986 Desiring Julia Julia Tassi
Lady of the Night Simona
Exploits of a Young Don Juan Ursula
1987 Teresa Teresa
Rimini Rimini Lola Sarti/ Ramona
Delirium Gioia
Roba da ricchi DoraSegment: "Primo episodio"
1989 L'insegnante di violoncello Margherita Valle
1990 In the Name of the Sovereign People Rosetta
1991Per odio, per amoreAida
1992Donne sottotetto (Centro storico)Carola
Saint Tropez - Saint TropezAda
1993Graffiante desiderioMarcella Fabbri
1994 Delitto passionale Tania
1995La strana storia di Olga OOlga Roli
1997 Gli inaffidabili Fioranna
1998 Monella Zaira
Radiofreccia Freccia's mother
2008 Giovanna's Father Lella Ghia
ZoèMotherShort film
2010Dopo quella notteOrnella
A Second Childhood Aunt Amabile
2012Due uomini, quattro donne e una mucca depressaIma
2013 The Great Beauty LorenaWinner — Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
2019Tutto liscioEnrica
2021 We Still Talk Clementina

Television

Television roles showing year released, title, role played and notes
YearTitleRoleNotes
1985Sogni e bisogniMarisaEpisode: "L'imbiancone"
1986 Premiatissima Herself/co-hostVariety show (season 5)
1988 Zanzibar ValeriaEpisode: "La Vedova"
1990 Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride Addolorata PertinaceMiniseries
Paperissima SprintHerself/ HostComedy show (season 1)
1992Piazza di SpagnaMargherita MorgantiMain role; 5 episodes
1995Il prezzo della vitaSerenaTelevision film
Pazza famiglia Lisa2 episodes
1997Ladri si nasceThe WifeTelevision film
1998Le ragazze di Piazza di SpagnaSimona2 episodes
Anni '50MariaMiniseries
2004–2005Il ristoranteHerself/ ContestantReality show (runner-up)
2008Una madreSalvatriceMiniseries
2016–2021 Domenica Live Herself/ Recurring guestTalk show (seasons 5–9)
Pomeriggio Cinque Herself/ Recurring guestTalk show (seasons 9–15)
2017 Grande Fratello VIP Herself/ ContestantReality show (season 2)
2018FuroreMadameMain role (season 2); 8 episodes

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Giorgio Dell’Arti, Massimo Parrin. Catalogo dei viventi. Marsilio, 2009.
  2. ↑ Marco Giusti. Dizionario dei film italiani stracult. Sperling & Kupfer, 1999.
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