The March 1965 cover of Esquire magazine featured Virna Lisi shaving her face, an image that cemented her international reputation as a glamorous yet unconventional presence. Born in Ancona in 1936, the Italian actor navigated a career that spanned over six decades, evolving from a Hollywood-styled temptress into a critically acclaimed character performer.
Early Career and Television Popularity
Lisi debuted in 1953 with the film La corda d'acciaio after being discovered in Rome by producers Antonio Ferrigno and Ettore Pesce. Early roles in films like Le diciottenni focused on her physical appearance, yet she expanded her range through stage work at the Piccolo Teatro di Milano under director Giorgio Strehler. During the 1960s, she achieved domestic fame in Italy through television dramas and a highly successful toothpaste advertisement. The campaign's slogan, implying that a woman with her mouth could say anything she desired, turned her into a household name.
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In the mid-1960s, American studios attempted to market Lisi as a successor to Marilyn Monroe. She made her Hollywood debut opposite Jack Lemmon in the 1965 comedy How to Murder Your Wife. This period included roles in Not with My Wife, You Don't!, Assault on a Queen with Frank Sinatra, and The Secret of Santa Vittoria alongside Anthony Quinn. Despite these high-profile projects, Lisi remained selective, notably rejecting the role of Tatiana Romanova in From Russia with Love and the title character in Barbarella, as she sought to avoid purely sexualized roles.
Artistic Renaissance and Awards
After a brief retirement in the early 1970s to focus on her family life with her husband, architect Franco Pesci, and their son, Corrado, Lisi returned to professional acting with increased depth. Her later career featured roles in Beyond Good and Evil, Ernesto, and The Cricket. Her portrayal of Catherine de' Medici in the 1994 film La Reine Margot earned her significant international recognition, including the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival and a César Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued working consistently until her final film, Latin Lover, released in 2014.
Fast facts
- Born: 1936, Ancona
- Died: 18 December 2014, Rome
- Spouse: Franco Pesci
- Burial site: Cimitero Flaminio
- Cannes Best Actress: 1994, La Reine Margot
- César Award: 1995, Best Supporting Actress
- Notable TV work: L'onore e il rispetto (2006)
Questions readers ask
Why did Virna Lisi retire briefly in the 1970s?
She stepped away from the film industry to prioritize her marriage to Franco Pesci and their son, Corrado.
What was Virna Lisi's final film?
Her last motion picture appearance was in the 2014 Italian comedy-drama Latin Lover.
Achievements
- Worked as actor
