Person
Liana Orfei
San Giovanni in Persiceto, Italy
Liana Orfei (San Giovanni in Persiceto, June 6, 1937). Belonging to the famous Orfei circus dynasty, Liana is a multifaceted figure in Italian entertainment, capable of successful…
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Liana Orfei (San Giovanni in Persiceto, June 6, 1937). Belonging to the famous Orfei circus dynasty, Liana is a multifaceted figure in Italian entertainment, capable of successfully ranging between circus, cinema, theater, and television. Active on the big screen primarily between the 1950s and 70s, she acted in approximately forty films, working with masters of the caliber of Federico Fellini (in the documentary The Clowns), Orson Welles, Mario Monicelli, and Dino Risi. Her versatility led her to perform in highly diverse genres, from commedia all'italiana to Westerns, and even horror and science fiction. In television, her participation in the musical television drama Scaramouche (1965) is well-remembered. She made her debut in the ring at just two years old as a clown (under the name Lacrima). In 1960, together with her brothers Nando and Rinaldo, she founded her own circus characterized by colossal and innovative productions, such as "Circorama" and the "Circus of the Thousand and One Nights"—the latter born from an idea by Fellini with costumes by Oscar winner Danilo Donati. In 1984, to respond to the industry's crisis, she founded the Golden Circus, an international festival that remains a reference point for circus arts today. In the theatrical field, she collaborated with distinguished names such as Eduardo De Filippo and Emma Gramatica, returning to the stage even in more recent years (in 2005 with the musical Se il tempo fosse un gambero). She was also a singer and entrepreneur: in the 1980s, she founded the theme park Divertimondo in Rimini, inspired by the emerging major amusement parks.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
-
2024
Mario Verdone: Il critico viaggiatore
Movie Self
-
2019
Les femmes de pierre
Movie
-
1977
Kolossal - The Magnificent Macisti
Movie Self - Camilla - Queen of the Volsci (archive footage)
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1970
The Clowns
Movie Circus Performer
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1970
Fortunata y Jacinta
Movie Jacinta
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1969
How, When, and with Whom
Movie Seamstress
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1968
¡Cómo sois las mujeres!
Movie Julia
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1968
The Prophet
Movie Albertina
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1967
Django Kills Softly
Movie Linda
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1966
The Devil in Love
Movie Olimpia
-
1966
Diamonds Are a Man's Best Friend
Movie Veronica Turner
-
1966
Our Husbands
Movie Attilia
-
1966
M.M.M. 83
Movie
-
1966
Les Combinards
Movie Liliana
-
1965
Scaramouche
TV show Irina Papandrei
-
1965
Casanova '70
Movie Lion Tamer
More credits
-
1964
Extraconiugale
Movie Carla (segment "La doccia")
-
1963
Hercules, Samson & Ulysses
Movie Dalila - Philistine Queen
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1963
Le motorizzate
Movie Cacace's Defence Counsel (segment "Il Vigile Ignoto")
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1963
Adventure at the Motel
Movie
-
1962
The Avenger
Movie Camilla, Queen of the Vulga
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1962
Damon and Pythias
Movie Adriana
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1962
Duel of Fire
Movie Maruzza
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1961
Rage of the Buccaneers
Movie Luana
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1961
The Giant of Metropolis
Movie Queen Taxen
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1961
Hercules in the Valley of Woe
Movie Dejanira
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1961
Nefertiti, Queen of the Nile
Movie Merith
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1961
The Tartars
Movie Helga
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1960
Pirates of the Coast
Movie Anna del Peru
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1960
Mill of the Stone Women
Movie Annelore
-
1960
Knight of 100 Faces
Movie Zuela
-
1960
Le signore
Movie Patrizia Viotti
-
1960
Gentlemen Are Born
Movie
-
1960
La Dolce Vita
Movie (uncredited)
-
1960
Terror of the Red Mask
Movie Jolanda
-
1959
Attack of the Moors
Movie
-
1959
Beach Types
Movie Magalì
-
1959
Guardatele ma non toccatele
Movie Allison
