Serena Faggioli (Bologna, 23 March 1958), known professionally as Serena Grandi, is an Italian actress, famous as a sex symbol in Italian cinema of the 1980s and 1990s. She was a popular pin-up model in Italy. During her film career, some films credited her as Vanessa Steiger, and she was notable in particular for two gory opuses, Antropophagus (1980) and Delirium (1987).
Biography
Serena Grandi was born in Bologna, Italy. She graduated in computer programming and was first employed in a scientific analysis laboratory.[1] She started her acting career in 1980, playing a supporting role in the comedy film La Compagna di viaggio by Ferdinando Baldi.
In the same year, Grandi played the role of Maggie in the controversial film Antropophagus, directed by Joe D'Amato. This film is well known among horror movie fans for its extreme gore sequences.[1][2] After several minor roles, she took the title role in Tinto Brass' Miranda, which gave her the status of sex symbol in her native Italy and set the path for her stardom.[1]
Through the 1980s, Grandi made nearly 20 films, mainly appearing in commedie sexy all'italiana and erotic films, but also starring in sword epics such as The Adventures of Hercules and in some horror films. In 1987 Lamberto Bava gave her the role of Gloria in his film Delirium. In 1991 she married the antiquarian Beppe Ercole, 20 years her senior, with whom she had a son Edoardo; the couple divorced in 1998.[1]
In the 1990s, Grandi started to back away from the spotlight; during this time she focused her career on television series.[1]
In 2003-2004 Grandi spent 157 days under house arrest, accused of having sold a few grams of cocaine. The case was later dismissed.[1]
In 2006, Grandi was a candidate in the list of Social Action, a right-leaning party led by Alessandra Mussolini, but she was not elected. The same year she published her first novel, L’amante del federale. In 2008, after a break of ten years, she returned to acting.[1]
