Valentina Cortese - Actor Profile

Valentina Cortese

Acting
Updated: May 10, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 1, 1923
Birth Place: Milan, Lombardy, Italy

About Valentina Cortese

Valentina Cortese (January 1, 1923 - July 10, 2019) was an Italian film actress. The Milan-born actress starred in The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) directed by Robert Wise, and costarring Richard Basehart and William Lundigan. Cortese, aged 28, married Basehart in 1951, and had one son with him before they divorced in 1960. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1975 for her performance in François Truffaut's Day for Night. Cortese appeared in Jules Dassin's Thieves' Highway (1949), Joseph L. Mankiewicz's The Barefoot Contessa (1954), Michelangelo Antonioni's Le Amiche (1955), Gérard Brach's The Boat on the Grass, Terry Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), and in the Franco Zeffirelli projects such as the 1972 film Brother Sun, Sister Moon, his 1977 miniseries, Jesus of Nazareth and the 1993 film Sparrow.

Valentina Cortese Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Valentina Cortese reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Valentina Cortese's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 92% of Valentina Cortese's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains L'ebreo errante, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Valentina Cortese Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Valentina Cortese's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Valentina Cortese has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2017 Diva! - Super Hit Similar →
2001 Michelangelo Antonioni: The Eye That Changed Cinema Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2000 Federico Fellini's Autobiography Self Average Similar →
1994 Sparrow Madre Superiora Hit Similar →
1993 La Classe américaine The Helicopter Man's Wife (archive footage) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1988 The Adventures of Baron Munchausen Queen Ariadne / Violet Hit Similar →
1988 Facciaffittasi Gina Grandi Super Hit Similar →
1981 La Ferdinanda. Sonate für eine Medici-Villa Caterina de Dominicis Super Hit Similar →
1977 Widows' Nest Dolores Hit Similar →
1976 Nick the Sting Regina Hit Similar →
1975 Kidnap Syndicate Grazia Filippini Hit Similar →
1973 Day for Night Séverine Super Hit Similar →
1972 Brother Sun, Sister Moon Pica Di Bernardone Hit Similar →
1970 The Secret of Santa Vittoria Gabriella (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1965 Juliet of the Spirits Valentina Hit Similar →
1965 The Possessed Irma Hit Similar →
1965 Reporter’s Diary: 'Zoom on Fellini' Self Super Hit Similar →
1964 The Visit Mathilda Miller Hit Similar →
1963 The Girl Who Knew Too Much Laura Craven-Torrani Hit Similar →
1962 Story of San Michele Eleonora Duse Hit Similar →
1961 Barabbas Julia Hit Similar →
1961 Square of Violence Erica Bernardi Average Similar →
1957 Kean: Genius or Scoundrel Fanny Hit Similar →
1956 The Rocket from Calabuch Eloísa, la maestra de escuela Super Hit Similar →
1955 Le Amiche Nene Hit Similar →
1955 Il Conte Aquila Teresa Casati Super Hit Similar →
1955 Adriana Lecouvreur Adriana Lecouvreur Super Hit Similar →
1954 The Barefoot Contessa Eleanora Torlato-Favrini Hit Similar →
1954 Il matrimonio - Hit Similar →
1953 La passeggiata Lisa Super Hit Similar →
1952 Secret People Maria Brentano / Brent / Lena Collins Average Similar →
1951 The House on Telegraph Hill Victoria Kowelska Average Similar →
1950 Shadow of the Eagle Elizabeth, Princess Tarakanova Hit Similar →
1949 Malaya Luana Hit Similar →
1949 Thieves' Highway Rica Hit Similar →
1949 The Glass Mountain Alida Morrosini Hit Similar →
1948 Crossroads of Passion Maria Pilar Super Hit Similar →
1948 L'ebreo errante Ester Super Hit Similar →
1947 Il corriere del re - Super Hit Similar →
1946 Un americano in vacanza Maria Super Hit Similar →
1945 Chi l'ha visto? Luisella Hit Similar →
1943 4 girls dream - Hit Similar →
1943 Giorni felici Marianna Super Hit Similar →
1942 Quarta pagina Valentina Super Hit Similar →
1942 Soltanto un bacio Maria Renda / Luisa Renda Super Hit Similar →
1942 Girl of the Golden West Madge Hit Similar →
1942 Orizzonte di sangue - Super Hit Similar →
1941 Primo amore Nerina Redi Super Hit Similar →
1941 Il bravo di Venezia Alina Super Hit Similar →
1941 L'attore scomparso - Hit Similar →

Valentina Cortese - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Valentina Cortese?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Valentina Cortese is "L'ebreo errante" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Valentina Cortese acted in?

Valentina Cortese has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Valentina Cortese?

Other notable films include "Soltanto un bacio", "Il corriere del re", and "La Ferdinanda. Sonate für eine Medici-Villa".

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