Luigia "Gina" Lollobrigida was an Italian actress, photojournalist, and politician. Nicknamed ‘Lo Lollo’, she was one of the biggest stars of European cinema in the 1950s and ‘60s and one of the last surviving icons of the glory days of film. Some of the well known films include Beat the Devil, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Solomon and Sheba, and Crossed Swords. Lollobrigida was born in Subiaco, Kingdom of Italy. In 1945 after the end of World War II her family moved to Rome and it is there that ... moreLuigia "Gina" Lollobrigida was an Italian actress, photojournalist, and politician. Nicknamed ‘Lo Lollo’, she was one of the biggest stars of European cinema in the 1950s and ‘60s and one of the last surviving icons of the glory days of film. Some of the well known films include Beat the Devil, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Solomon and Sheba, and Crossed Swords. Lollobrigida was born in Subiaco, Kingdom of Italy. In 1945 after the end of World War II her family moved to Rome and it is there that she took singing lessons and participated in several beauty contests. In 1947 she finished third in Miss Italy contest. Prior to that in 1946 Lollobrigida started appearing in Italian films in minor roles. Her 1950, 7 year contract with Howard Hughes which she refused at the last minute prevented her from working in American movies filmed in the U.S. In 1953 she starred in the film Italian romantic comedy Bread, Love and Dreams which became a box office success. She won a a Nastro d'Argento award for the film. Lollobrigida appeared in numerous films cementing her start symbol all over the world. She retired from film in 1997 and worked as a photographer and sculptor. She became interested in politics later in life unsuccessfully running for election to the European Parliament as a candidate for The Democrats. Lollobrigida received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.
