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Valentina Cortese
★ Acting

Valentina Cortese

1923 – 2019 · Milan, Lombardy, Italy · Active 1941–2017

Born in Milan in 1923, Valentina Cortese emerged as a prominent figure in Italian cinema, showcasing her talents in a variety of genres. She starred in The Evil Eye (1963), where her performance added depth to the giallo narrative, and Ring of Darkness (1979), a film that further solidified her place in cult cinema. Cortese's ability to navigate both drama and exploitation films makes her a significant contributor to the conversation surrounding these genres, bringing a unique flair to her roles in Listen, Let's Make Love (1968) and Tender Dracula (1974). Her work continues to resonate with fans of cult and grindhouse films.

▶ Watch on SassyFlix 7 films available
Ring of Darkness

Ring of Darkness

1979 ★ 4.6
as Elena Merrill

Once a Satanist who surrendered her soul and body to the devil himself, Carlotta Rhodes begins to regret her tryst with Lucifer when her teenage daughter, Daria, starts showing the evil influence of dear old Dad. Convinced that she can stop the devil's power on earth, Carlotta calls upon an exorcist for help.

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Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

95 credits
2010s 1 credit
2017
Movie ★ 8.2
2000s 3 credits
2007
Movie
2001
Movie ★ 9.0
2000
Movie ★ 6.4
1990s 3 credits
1994
Sparrow as Madre Superiora
Movie ★ 7.4
1993
La Classe américaine as The Helicopter Man's Wife (archive footage) (uncredited)
Movie ★ 7.6
1991
Buster's Bedroom as Serafina Tannenbaum
Movie ★ 4.3
1980s 8 credits
1989
I promessi sposi as Donna Prassede
TV ★ 7.1
1988
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen as Queen Ariadne / Violet
Movie ★ 7.0
1988
Facciaffittasi as Gina Grandi
Movie ★ 9.0
1988
Facciaffittasi as Gina Grandi
TV
1987
Blue Tango as Rachele Cigno
Movie ★ 6.0
1987
Via Montenapoleone as madre di Guido
Movie ★ 3.8
1981
Movie ★ 10.0
1980
When Time Ran Out... as Rose Valdez
Movie ★ 5.4
1970s 23 credits
1979
Ring of Darkness as Elena Merrill
Movie ★ 4.9
1978
Tanto va la gatta al lardo... as Wilma/Leonilde Bosco Casagrande
Movie ★ 5.8
1977
Widows' Nest as Dolores
Movie ★ 7.0
1977
TV ★ 7.8
1976
Movie ★ 4.6
1976
Movie ★ 6.8
1975
Movie ★ 5.8
1975
Kidnap Syndicate as Grazia Filippini
Movie ★ 6.7
1974
Appassionata as Elisa Rutelli
Movie ★ 5.6
1974
Amore mio non farmi male as Sabina Foschini
Movie ★ 5.1
1974
The Kiss as Elizabeth Blixen
Movie ★ 3.5
1974
Movie ★ 4.2
1973
Day for Night as Séverine
Movie ★ 7.8
1972
Brother Sun, Sister Moon as Pica Di Bernardone
Movie ★ 7.0
1972
Movie ★ 5.3
1972
Movie ★ 5.5
1971
Movie ★ 5.1
1971
Movie ★ 5.3
1970
Movie ★ 4.6
1970
First Love as Mutter
Movie ★ 5.7
1970
Give Her the Moon as Madeleine de Lépine
Movie ★ 5.7
1970
The Secret of Santa Vittoria as Gabriella (uncredited)
Movie ★ 7.0
1960s 14 credits
1969
Movie ★ 5.7
1969
TV
1968
The Legend of Lylah Clare as Countess Bozo Bedoni
Movie ★ 6.0
1968
Movie ★ 4.5
1966
Black Sun as Maria
Movie ★ 4.8
1965
Movie ★ 7.2
1965
Movie ★ 6.3
1965
Movie ★ 6.8
1965
Movie ★ 7.5
1964
The Visit as Mathilda Miller
Movie ★ 7.2
1963
The Girl Who Knew Too Much as Laura Craven-Torrani
Movie ★ 6.9
1962
Story of San Michele as Eleonora Duse
Movie ★ 6.5
1961
Barabbas as Julia
Movie ★ 6.9
1961
Square of Violence as Erica Bernardi
Movie ★ 6.4
1950s 18 credits
1958
Movie ★ 6.3
1957
Movie ★ 7.3
1956
The Rocket from Calabuch as Eloísa, la maestra de escuela
Movie ★ 7.5
1955
Le Amiche as Nene
Movie ★ 6.7
1955
Magic Fire as Mathilde Wesendonk
Movie ★ 4.9
1955
Adriana Lecouvreur as Adriana Lecouvreur
Movie ★ 9.0
1955
Il Conte Aquila as Teresa Casati
Movie ★ 8.0
1954
The Barefoot Contessa as Eleanora Torlato-Favrini
Movie ★ 6.7
1954
Jailbirds as Luprandi's wife
Movie ★ 5.5
1954
Movie ★ 6.8
1954
Movie ★ 3.6
1953
Movie ★ 8.0
1953
Movie
1952
Secret People as Maria Brentano / Brent / Lena Collins
Movie ★ 6.4
1951
The House on Telegraph Hill as Victoria Kowelska
Movie ★ 6.4
1951
TV ★ 7.2
1950
Shadow of the Eagle as Elizabeth, Princess Tarakanova
Movie ★ 6.5
1950
Lux Video Theatre as Emilie Gallatin
TV ★ 6.7
1940s 25 credits
1949
Movie ★ 7.2
1949
Malaya as Luana
Movie ★ 6.9
1949
Black Magic as Zoraida
Movie ★ 6.3
1949
The Glass Mountain as Alida Morrosini
Movie ★ 6.8
1948
Movie ★ 6.0
1948
Movie ★ 10.0
1948
Movie ★ 6.0
1948
Movie ★ 9.0
1947
Il passatore as Barbara
Movie ★ 6.0
1947
Movie ★ 10.0
1946
Movie ★ 9.0
1946
Rome: Free City as La ragazza
Movie ★ 5.4
1945
No One Comes Back as Valentina
Movie ★ 6.0
1945
Chi l'ha visto? as Luisella
Movie ★ 7.0
1943
Giorni felici as Marianna
Movie ★ 8.0
1943
Movie ★ 7.0
1942
Quarta pagina as Valentina
Movie ★ 8.0
1942
Movie ★ 6.5
1942
Movie ★ 8.0
1942
Movie ★ 6.1
1942
Soltanto un bacio as Maria Renda / Luisa Renda
Movie ★ 10.0
1941
Movie ★ 7.0
1941
Movie ★ 9.0
1941
Primo amore as Nerina Redi
Movie ★ 9.0