Raffaella Carrà

Raffaella Maria Roberta Pelloni, known to the world as Raffaella Carrà, was born on June 18, 1943, and passed away on July 5, 2021. Renowned as an Italian singer, dancer, television presenter, and actress, Carrà captivated audiences across Europe and Latin America through her vibrant performances and numerous hit records. Her work in television made her a beloved figure, and she is celebrated as a gay icon.

Carrà began her cinematic journey at the tender age of nine in the film *Tormento del passato* (1952). By 1960, after completing her education at Italy's national film school, she had already appeared in several films, including *Long Night in 1943*. Throughout the early 1960s, she starred in a variety of Italian peplum films such as *Fury of the Pagans* and *Ulysses Against the Son of Hercules*, alongside comedies and action films like *5 marines per 100 ragazze* and *La Celestina P... R...*.

In 1965, she ventured to the United States, signing with 20th Century Fox. There, she featured in *Von Ryan's Express* alongside Frank Sinatra and made a guest appearance on the TV series *I Spy*. However, feeling nostalgic for her homeland, she returned to Italy, where she continued to appear in films and television shows, although her acting roles became less frequent in later years. Raffaella Carrà remains an iconic figure in entertainment history.