Claudia Cardinale photographed on January 1, 1960
Italian actress Claudia Cardinale was a prominent figure during Hollywood's golden age. She has graced over 100 films throughout her illustrious career, with her most prolific period spanning from 1960 to 1970.
Claudia Cardinale pictured on January 1, 1960
During this decade alone, she starred in approximately 30 films, including iconic titles such as "8½" (1963), "The Leopard" (1963), and "The Professionals" (1966), where she shared the screen with Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin.
Claudia Cardinale photographed on January 1, 1963
Her remarkable performances also include the cult classic "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968), directed by the legendary Sergio Leone. When asked in an interview about her memories of working with Leone, Cardinale recalled that his method of work was unique.
Claudia Cardinale on the set of "The Professionals," 1966
She mentioned that he would have the music composed before shooting began and would have the actors listen to the score before filming a scene. When speaking on her acting career in the US, the Tunisian native explained, "My main advantage was that I didn't ask to go to Hollywood, they called me."
Claudia Cardinale on the set of "One Upon a Time in the West," 1968
In that era, whenever a new star emerged, Hollywood studios were quick to claim them, striving to monopolize all the rising talent. They often bound actors with restrictive contracts, which could end up stifling their careers.
Claudia Cardinale pictured on January 1, 1968
However, Cardinale managed to protect her own path. She resisted signing an exclusive contract with Universal, opting instead to agree to one contract at a time, which allowed her to navigate the industry on her own terms and sustain her career.
Claudia Cardinale during a visit to the Alhambra on January 1, 1968, Granada, Spain.
During her three-year tenure in Hollywood, Cardinale not only made her mark in "The Pink Panther" and "The Professionals," but also shared the screen with prominent stars such as Rock Hudson in "Blindfold" and joined John Wayne and Rita Hayworth in "Circus World."
Claudia Cardinale during a visit to the Alhambra on January 1, 1968, Granada, Spain.
She also had the opportunity to mingle with many Hollywood legends, including Barbra Streisand, Steve McQueen, and Warren Beatty.
Claudia Cardinale during a visit to the Alhambra on January 1, 1968, Granada, Spain.
Cardinale first attended Cannes in 1961, presenting two films: Valerio Zurlini’s "Girl With a Suitcase," where she portrayed an independent-minded singer, and Mauro Bolognini’s "The Lovemakers," in which she starred opposite Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Claudia Cardinale pictured on March 10, 1969
She returned to the Croisette in 1963 with two landmark films, Luchino Visconti’s "The Leopard" and Federico Fellini’s "8½." The legendary star explained in an interview that she filmed the two movies simultaneously.
A portrait of Claudia Cardinale pictured on March 1, 1969
Cardinale revealed that she had very long hair during that time, but Visconti wanted her to have dark hair, while Fellini preferred a blonde look. As a result, she had to change her hair color every two weeks to satisfy their different visions.
Claudia Cardinale on the set of "A Fine Couple," 1969
Cardinale later embarked on a three-year period during which she made several Hollywood films, including two with Rock Hudson: "Blindfold" and "Lost Command."
Claudia Cardinale on the set of "In the Year of God," 1969
Of this experience, she revealed, "At that time Universal wanted me to sign an exclusive contract. But I said: 'No, I'm European. I'm going back.' But they really insisted!"
Claudia Cardinale on the set of "In the Year of God," 1969
Unlike many other actresses, Cardinale has never appeared in a nude scene. Outside of her film work, she dedicates her energy to women's causes and shows little interest in cosmetic surgery.
Claudia Cardinale posing on December 31, 1969, in Rome, Italy.
She once revealed in an interview, "I've never done – what you say? – lifting in the face. Things like this. My mother used to say, 'Wait until you are older, you will always be smiling.' It's true. So why would you hide it?"
Claudia Cardinale in the capital of the Soviet Union on March 1, 1969, in Moscow, Russia.
The movie star, whose film "And Now...Ladies and Gentlemen" was screened out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival once, is still very much active in the entertainment industry.
Claudia Cardinale pictured in front of the Novodevichy monastery on March 1, 1969, in Moscow, Russia.
Her last film project was in the Tunisian-Italian movie, "The Island of Forgiveness." Of her continued presence on the screens when she was 77, Cardinale, expressed, "The most important thing is to stay active. I don't like all these facelifts and plastic surgery, because you can’t stop time."
An undated picture of Claudia Cardinale
The "All Roads Lead to Rome" star once won the "Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia" in 1957. Now 86, take a look at the iconic actress's transformation over the years showing her striking beauty.
Cardinale in the 1950s
Claudia Cardinale on the set of "Upstairs and Downstairs," 1959
Claudia Cardinale pictured dancing on a terrace on January 1, 1959 in Rome, Italy.
Cardinale in the 1960s
Claudia Cardinale on the set of "The Pink Panther," 1962
Claudia Cardinale photographed on January 1, 1965
Claudia Cardinale pictured on January 1, 1968
Cardinale in the 1970s
Claudia Cardinale pictured on January 1, 1970, in New York.
Claudia Cardinale photographed on December 3, 1970, in Paris, France.
Cardinale in the 1980s
Claudia Cardinale photographed on January 1, 1982, in Paris, France.
Claudia Cardinale pictured at the Deauville Festival on January 1, 1983, in France.
Claudia Cardinale photographed at her home on November 1, 1984, in Rome, Italy.
Cardinale in the 1990s
Claudia Cardinale pictured on June 1, 1997 in Paris, France.
Claudia Cardinale attends the Lumières de Paris Awards ceremony on January 14, 1999, in Paris, France.
Claudia Cardinale on the set of "La Venexiana," 1999
Cardinale in the 2000s
Claudia Cardinale at the screening of "Burn After Reading" during the 65th Venice International Film Festival on August 27, 2008, in Venice, France.
Claudia Cardinale presents her book "My Tunisia" on June 16, 2009, in Tunis, Tunisia.
Cardinale in the 2010s
Claudia Cardinale attends the premiere of "Inside Out" in 2015
Claudia Cardinale attends the Giorgio Armani Prive show on July 7, 2015, in Paris, France.
Claudia Cardinale at the screening of "Italiani Brava Gente" during the 13th Rome Film Fest on October 27, 2018, in Rome, Italy.
Cardinale in the 2020s
Claudia Cardinale during a photo session in the Tunisian capital Tunis on on May 27, 2022, in Tunis, Tunisia.
Claudia Cardinale attends the inauguration of the Claudia Cardinale street on May 29, 2022, in La Goulette, Tunisia.
Cardinale's journey through the decades shows her enduring talent, grace, and resilience. As one of the most iconic stars of Hollywood’s golden age, she has not only left an indelible mark on the film industry but also served as an inspiration for embracing authenticity and natural beauty.
