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Anna Magnani Biography

Birth Place:

Rome, Italy

Profession

Actor

Fast Facts

Was abandoned by her mother and raised in the slums of Rome by her maternal grandmother
Attended a French convent school where she developed a passion for acting by watching the nuns perform Christmas plays
Sang in nightclubs to support herself after leaving school
Won an Oscar for her portrayal of an Italian-American widow living in Louisiana in the film version of Tennessee Williams' play The Rose Tattoo
The part was reportedly written for her and was her first significant English-speaking film role
Was mentioned in the memoirs of Marlon Brando, her costar in The Fugitive Kind (1960)
Brando recounted how Magnani kissed him so fiercely that he had to squeeze her nose to stop her

1970Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
1959David di Donatello Awards-Best Actress: winner
1959BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actress: nominated
1958Berlin Film Festival-Silver Bear for Best Actress: winner
1958Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1958David di Donatello Awards-Best Actress: winner
1957Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1957Nastri d'argento-Best Actress: winner
1957BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actress: winner
1956Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
1955National Board of Review-Best Actress: winner
1955New York Film Critics Circle-Best Actress: winner
1955Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
1952Nastri d'argento-Best Actress: winner
1946Nastri d'argento-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1946Nastri d'argento-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1946National Board of Review-Best Actress: winner