Below is a compiled list of the most interesting facts about Sophia Loren. Check it out!
Sophia Loren was born as Sofia Scicolone at the Clinica Regina Margherita in Rome, Italy, on September 20, 1934. Her father, Riccardo Scicolone, was married to another woman and refused to marry her mother, Romilda Villani, despite the fact that she was the mother of his two children (Sophia and her younger sister Maria Scicolone). Growing up in the slums of Pozzuoli during the second World War without any support from her father, she experienced much sadness in her childhood. Her life took an unexpected turn for the best when, at age 14, she entered into a beauty contest where she placed as one of the finalists. It was there that Sophia caught the attention of film producer Carlo Ponti, some 22 years her senior, whom she eventually married in 1966 once he finally obtained a divorce from his first wife. Perhaps he was the only father figure she ever had. Under his guidance, Sophia was put under contract and appeared as an extra in ten films beginning in 1950, before working her way up to supporting roles. In these early films, she was credited as “Sofia Lazzaro” because people joked her beauty could raise Lazzarus from the dead.
Interesting Facts about Sophia Loren
- Is one of five performers to win an Oscar playing a character that spoke mostly in a foreign language. The other are Marion Cotillard, Robert De Niro, Roberto Benigni and Benicio Del Toro.
- Has appeared in the 2007 edition of the famous Pirelli Calendar at age 72, making her the oldest model in its history.
- At times, male actors have been hesitant to appear with her, due to the fact that she stands nearly 5’9″ and wears towering heels and tall hair that can make her look over 6 feet tall.
- Has played the love interest of a much older man in the majority of her films, the most illustrative example being It Started in Naples (1960) with Clark Gable when she was 25 and he was 59.
- She had her marriage annulled to save Carlo Ponti from bigamy charges in Italy.
- Turned down roles that went to Joan Collins on Dynasty (1981) and Gina Lollobrigida on Falcon Crest (1981).
- Derives great pleasure from rolling her bare feet over a wooden rolling pin while watching television.
- Despite being Italian, she was dubbed by Lydia Simoneschi and Rita Savagnone in the Italian versions of most of her films.
- Was mentioned in the song “I Shall Be Free” by Bob Dylan on his 1963 album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan”.
- She was awarded a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California on January 9, 1994.
- She and Marcello Mastroianni appeared in 11 movies together: The Miller’s Wife (1955), Blood Feud (1978), What a Woman! (1956), A Special Day (1977), Sunflower (1970), Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963), Marriage Italian Style (1964), Skandalen i Rom (1970), Lockbetet (1954), Prêt-à-Porter (1994) and La pupa del gangster (1975).
- Has one sister, Maria Scicolone (born 1938); and two half-brothers, Giuliano Scicolone (born 1943) and Giuseppe Scicolone (born 1946).
Personal Quotes by Sophia Loren
You have to be born a sex symbol. You don’t become one. If you’re born with it, you’ll have it even when you’re 100 years old.
Sophia Loren
I’m a giraffe. I even walk like a giraffe with a long neck and legs. It’s a pretty dumb animal, mind you.
Sophia Loren
I eat a lot of salad, a little meat, and some fruit. That’s all. But I like sweets.
Sophia Loren
