Lea Massari, the discreet diva of Italian cinema, has passed away at 91. Known for her powerful performances with directors like Mario Monicelli and Sergio Leone, she was also a prominent figure in Rai's black-and-white dramas. Her death occurred on June 23, and a private funeral was held at the cathedral of Sutri (Viterbo), followed by burial in her family's chapel in the municipal cemetery. The actress had been retired from the stage and public life for over thirty years. With a natural beauty and a reserved temperament, Massari won the admiration of audiences in Italy and France, where she acted alongside stars like Jean-Paul Belmondo and Yves Montand. Lea Massari received a David di Donatello award for Best Actress for her roles in "Una vita difficile" and "I sogni muoiono all'alba," both released in 1961. She also earned two Nastro d'Argento awards for Best Supporting Actress for "The First Night of Quiet" (1972) and "Christ Stopped at Eboli" (1978).
Born Anna Maria Massatani in Rome on June 30, 1933, she grew up in the Monteverde Vecchio neighborhood. During her youth, she lived in Spain, France, and Switzerland with her engineer father. Upon returning to Rome, she enrolled in the Faculty of Architecture and worked as a model while collaborating with set and costume designer Piero Gherardi, who introduced her to cinema. In 1954, she landed her first film role in *Proibito*, directed by Mario Monicelli, and took on a stage name in memory of her fiancé, Leo, who tragically died before their wedding. She became unforgettable in the theater as the first Rosetta in *Rugantino* and later intrigued French cinema, working with actors like Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Her notable roles included Clara, the mother in *Soffio al cuore*, and she achieved significant success with films such as *L’uomo che non seppe tacere* (1972) and *La prima notte di quiete* (1972), alongside Alain Delon. She won a Nastro d’argento for Best Supporting Actress for her role in *Christ Stopped at Eboli*. Eventually, she retreated from the public eye, moving to Sardinia with her husband and animals. After a divorce, she returned to Rome, but has since remained silent and withdrawn from the spotlight, rarely making appearances or giving interviews.
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