Valentina Cortese - Actor Profile

Valentina Cortese

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 1, 1923
Birth Place: Milan, Lombardy, Italy

About Valentina Cortese

Valentina Cortese (January 1, 1923 - July 10, 2019) was an Italian film actress. The Milan-born actress starred in The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) directed by Robert Wise, and costarring Richard Basehart and William Lundigan. Cortese, aged 28, married Basehart in 1951, and had one son with him before they divorced in 1960. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1975 for her performance in François Truffaut's Day for Night. Cortese appeared in Jules Dassin's Thieves' Highway (1949), Joseph L. Mankiewicz's The Barefoot Contessa (1954), Michelangelo Antonioni's Le Amiche (1955), Gérard Brach's The Boat on the Grass, Terry Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), and in the Franco Zeffirelli projects such as the 1972 film Brother Sun, Sister Moon, his 1977 miniseries, Jesus of Nazareth and the 1993 film Sparrow.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Valentina Cortese reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Valentina Cortese's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 46% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Valentina Cortese remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Michelangelo Antonioni: The Eye That Changed Cinema, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Valentina Cortese Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Valentina Cortese's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Valentina Cortese.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2017 Diva! - Super Hit Similar →
2001 Michelangelo Antonioni: The Eye That Changed Cinema Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2000 Federico Fellini's Autobiography Self Average Similar →
1994 Sparrow Madre Superiora Hit Similar →
1993 La Classe américaine The Helicopter Man's Wife (archive footage) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1988 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Queen Ariadne / Violet Hit Similar →
1980 When Time Ran Out... Rose Valdez Flop Similar →
1978 Tanto va la gatta al lardo... Wilma/Leonilde Bosco Casagrande Flop Similar →
1976 Nick the Sting Regina Hit Similar →
1975 Son tornate a fiorire le rose Sabina Foschini Flop Similar →
1975 Kidnap Syndicate Grazia Filippini Hit Similar →
1975 Il cav. Costante Nicosia demoniaco, ovvero Dracula in Brianza Olghina Franchetti Average Similar →
1974 Appassionata Elisa Rutelli Average Similar →
1973 Day for Night Séverine Super Hit Similar →
1972 The Assassination of Trotsky Natalia Trotsky Flop Similar →
1972 Brother Sun, Sister Moon Pica Di Bernardone Hit Similar →
1972 Chronicle of a Homicide Luisa Sola Flop Similar →
1971 The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire Madame Sobieski Flop Similar →
1970 First Love Mutter Flop Similar →
1970 Give Her the Moon Madeleine de Lépine Average Similar →
1970 The Secret of Santa Vittoria Gabriella (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1969 Oh, Grandmother's Dead Ornella Flop Similar →
1968 The Legend of Lylah Clare Countess Bozo Bedoni Average Similar →
1965 Juliet of the Spirits Valentina Hit Similar →
1965 Antonioni: Documents and Testimonials Self Average Similar →
1965 The Possessed Irma Hit Similar →
1965 Reporter’s Diary: 'Zoom on Fellini' Self Super Hit Similar →
1964 The Visit Mathilda Miller Hit Similar →
1963 The Girl Who Knew Too Much Laura Craven-Torrani Hit Similar →
1961 Barabbas Julia Hit Similar →
1961 Square of Violence Erica Bernardi Average Similar →
1958 Love and Troubles Marisa Average Similar →
1957 Kean: Genius or Scoundrel Fanny Hit Similar →
1956 The Rocket from Calabuch Eloísa, la maestra de escuela Hit Similar →
1955 Le Amiche Nene Hit Similar →
1954 The Barefoot Contessa Eleanora Torlato-Favrini Hit Similar →
1954 Il matrimonio - Hit Similar →
1952 Secret People Maria Brentano / Brent / Lena Collins Average Similar →
1951 The House on Telegraph Hill Victoria Kowelska Average Similar →
1950 Shadow of the Eagle Elizabeth, Princess Tarakanova Average Similar →
1949 Malaya Luana Hit Similar →
1949 Thieves' Highway Rica Hit Similar →
1949 Black Magic Zoraida Average Similar →
1949 The Glass Mountain Alida Morrosini Average Similar →
1948 Les Misérables - Storm Over Paris Cosetta Average Similar →
1948 Les Misérables Fantine Average Similar →
1946 Rome: Free City La ragazza Flop Similar →
1945 No One Comes Back Valentina Flop Similar →
1942 The Jester's Supper Lisabetta Average Similar →
1942 Girl of the Golden West Madge Average Similar →

Valentina Cortese - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Valentina Cortese?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Valentina Cortese is "Michelangelo Antonioni: The Eye That Changed Cinema" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has Valentina Cortese acted in?

Valentina Cortese has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Valentina Cortese?

Other notable films include "Diva!", "Day for Night", and "La Classe américaine".