Pier Angeli

Pier Angeli

Name	Pier Angeli
Birth name
Birth date	19 June 1932
Birth place	Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
Death date	10 September 1971
Death place	Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1950–1971
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Pier Angeli (born Anna Maria Pierangeli; 19 June 1932 – 10 September 1971) was an Italian actress known for her work in both European and American films. Her career spanned over two decades, during which she became a prominent figure in the film industry, celebrated for her beauty and acting talent.

Early Life

Pier Angeli was born in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, to a family with a strong artistic background. Her twin sister, Marisa Pavan, also became a noted actress. Angeli's early life was marked by her family's relocation to Rome, where she was discovered by a talent scout while still a teenager.

Career

Angeli's film debut came in 1950 with the Italian film Domani è troppo tardi (Tomorrow Is Too Late), which was a significant success and established her as a rising star in Italian cinema. Her performance caught the attention of Hollywood, leading to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

In Hollywood, Angeli starred in several notable films, including The Light Touch (1951) alongside Stewart Granger, and The Story of Three Loves (1953). Her role in Teresa (1951) earned her a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress.

Angeli's career continued to flourish with performances in films such as The Silver Chalice (1954) with Paul Newman, and Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956), where she starred opposite Paul Newman again. Her portrayal of Norma Graziano in the latter film was critically acclaimed.

Personal Life

Pier Angeli's personal life was often in the spotlight, particularly her relationships with high-profile figures. She was romantically linked to James Dean, although the relationship ended due to external pressures. Angeli married singer and actor Vic Damone in 1954, with whom she had a son. The marriage ended in divorce in 1958.

Angeli later married Italian composer Armando Trovajoli, with whom she had another son. This marriage also ended in divorce.

Later Years and Death

In the 1960s, Angeli's career began to decline, and she returned to Europe, where she continued to work in films, albeit with less frequency and success. Her final film appearance was in Octaman (1971).

Pier Angeli died of a barbiturate overdose on 10 September 1971, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 39. Her death was ruled a suicide.

Legacy

Despite her tragic end, Pier Angeli remains a memorable figure in the history of cinema. Her performances continue to be appreciated by film enthusiasts, and her life story has been the subject of various retrospectives and biographies.

Also see

• Marisa Pavan
• James Dean
• Vic Damone
• Golden Globe Award
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer