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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).
Serena Grandi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Serena Faggioli 12 March 1958 Bologna, Italy |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1980–present |
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]
In 2017 Grandi competed in Grande Fratello VIP, the Italian adaptation of Celebrity Big Brother.
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mia moglie è una strega | Female passenger | Uncredited |
| Tranquille donne di campagna | Aida | ||
| La compagna di viaggio | Teodoro's wife | Cameo appearance | |
| I'm Photogenic | Woman | Uncredited | |
| Antropophagus | Maggie | ||
| 1981 | Teste di quoio | Nurse #1 | Cameo appearance |
| 1982 | Pierino colpisce ancora | Rosina | |
| Pierino la peste alla riscossa! | Waitress | Cameo appearance | |
| Malamore | Prostitute | Cameo appearance | |
| Sturmtruppen 2 - Tutti al fronte | Paesant | Uncredited | |
| 1983 | Tu mi turbi | Guardian angel | |
| Acapulco, prima spiaggia… a sinistra | Movie star | Cameo appearance | |
| 1984 | A Boy and a Girl | Prostitute | Cameo appearance |
| 1985 | The Adventures of Hercules | Euryale | |
| Miranda | Miranda | ||
| 1986 | Desiring Julia | Julia Tassi | |
| Lady of the Night | Simona | ||
| Exploits of a Young Don Juan | Ursula | ||
| 1987 | Teresa | Teresa | |
| Rimini Rimini | Lola Sarti/ Ramona | ||
| Delirium | Gioia | ||
| Roba da ricchi | Dora | Segment: "Primo episodio" | |
| 1989 | L'insegnante di violoncello | Margherita Valle | |
| 1990 | In the Name of the Sovereign People | Rosetta | |
| 1991 | Per odio, per amore | Aida | |
| 1992 | Donne sottotetto (Centro storico) | Carola | |
| Saint Tropez - Saint Tropez | Ada | ||
| 1993 | Graffiante desiderio | Marcella Fabbri | |
| 1994 | Delitto passionale | Tania | |
| 1995 | La strana storia di Olga O | Olga Roli | |
| 1997 | Gli inaffidabili | Fioranna | |
| 1998 | Monella | Zaira | |
| Radiofreccia | Freccia's mother | ||
| 2008 | Giovanna's Father | Lella Ghia | |
| Zoè | Mother | Short film | |
| 2010 | Dopo quella notte | Ornella | |
| A Second Childhood | Aunt Amabile | ||
| 2012 | Due uomini, quattro donne e una mucca depressa | Ima | |
| 2013 | The Great Beauty | Lorena | Winner — Academy Award for Best International Feature Film |
| 2019 | Tutto liscio | Enrica | |
| 2021 | We Still Talk | Clementina |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Sogni e bisogni | Marisa | Episode: "L'imbiancone" |
| 1986 | Premiatissima | Herself/co-host | Variety show (season 5) |
| 1988 | Zanzibar | Valeria | Episode: "La Vedova" |
| 1990 | Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride | Addolorata Pertinace | Miniseries |
| Paperissima Sprint | Herself/ Host | Comedy show (season 1) | |
| 1992 | Piazza di Spagna | Margherita Morganti | Main role; 5 episodes |
| 1995 | Il prezzo della vita | Serena | Television film |
| Pazza famiglia | Lisa | 2 episodes | |
| 1997 | Ladri si nasce | The Wife | Television film |
| 1998 | Le ragazze di Piazza di Spagna | Simona | 2 episodes |
| Anni '50 | Maria | Miniseries | |
| 2004–2005 | Il ristorante | Herself/ Contestant | Reality show (runner-up) |
| 2008 | Una madre | Salvatrice | Miniseries |
| 2016–2021 | Domenica Live | Herself/ Recurring guest | Talk show (seasons 5–9) |
| Pomeriggio Cinque | Herself/ Recurring guest | Talk show (seasons 9–15) | |
| 2017 | Grande Fratello VIP | Herself/ Contestant | Reality show (season 2) |
| 2018 | Furore | Madame | Main role (season 2); 8 episodes |
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