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

(1958-03-12) 12 March 1958 (age 66)
Bologna, Italy
OccupationActress
Years active1980–present

Biography

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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.

Filmography

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Films

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Film roles showing year released, title, role played and notes
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

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Television roles showing year released, title, role played and notes
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

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Giorgio Dell’Arti, Massimo Parrin. Catalogo dei viventi. Marsilio, 2009.
  2. ^ Marco Giusti. Dizionario dei film italiani stracult. Sperling & Kupfer, 1999.
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