Sophia Loren by Gary Saderup

Sofia Villani Scicolone Dame Grand Cross OMRI (Italian: [soˈfiːa vilˈlaːni ʃʃikoˈloːne]; born 20 September 1934), known professionally as Sophia Loren (/ləˈrɛn/, Italian: [ˈlɔːren]), is an Italian actress. She was named by the American Film Institute as the 21st greatest female star of Classic Hollywood Cinema.[3] She is currently the only living actress and highest-ranked living person mentioned on the list. She is also now one of the last major surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. Encouraged to enroll in acting lessons after entering a beauty pageant, Loren began her film career at age 16 in 1950. She appeared in several bit parts and minor roles in the early part of the decade, until her five-picture contract with Paramount in 1956 launched her international career. Her film appearances around this time include The Pride and the Passion, Houseboat, and It Started in Naples. Loren's performance as Cesira in the movie Two Women (1961) directed by Vittorio De Sica