Maria Luisa Pierangeli (19 June 1932 – 6 December 2023), known professionally as Marisa Pavan, was an Italian actress who first became known as the twin sister of film star Pier Angeli (Anna Maria Pierangeli) before achieving success in her screen career.[1] She received an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the 1955 film The Rose Tattoo.
Early life and career
Pavan and her fraternal twin sister, Pier Angeli, were born in 1932 in Cagliari, Sardinia, the children of Enrichetta (née Romiti) and Luigi Pierangeli, a construction engineer.[1] The two girls also had a younger sister, Patrizia Pierangeli, who became an actress as well. Her stage name, Pavan, was the surname of a Jewish general in the Italian Army she and her family hid during the Nazi occupation of Rome in World War II.[2]
Pavan had no dramatic training when she signed a Hollywood contract with Paramount at age 19.[3] Although her screen debut was in 1952 in What Price Glory,[4] Pavan's breakthrough role came three years later, when she was cast as Anna Magnani's daughter in The Rose Tattoo. That part was initially assigned to her twin sister, but by the time production began, Angeli was unavailable for the role.[citation needed] Pavan's performance earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.[5] She also won the Golden Globe Award for (Best Supporting Actress) for her performance in the film.[6]
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