Raf Vallone Italian actor Date of Birth: 17.02.1916 Country: Italy

1. Early Life and Career
2. War and Resistance
3. Neorealism and International Success
4. Personal Life and Later Years
5. Autobiographical Work

Early Life and Career

Raffaele Vallone was born in Tropea, Calabria, Italy on February 17, 1916. His father was a lawyer and his mother came from an aristocratic family. Vallone studied law and philosophy at the University of Turin. After graduating, he joined his father's law firm.

Vallone also had a successful football career. He played for several Serie A teams, winning the Italian Cup in 1935-1936. After retiring from football, Vallone became the cultural editor of the newspaper 'L'Unità' and also wrote film and theater reviews for 'La Stampa.'

War and Resistance

During World War II, Vallone fought with the Italian Resistance against the fascists. He began his acting career with a small role in the film 'Noi vivi' (1946), but did not initially intend to pursue acting.

Neorealism and International Success

Vallone's breakthrough role came in Giuseppe De Santis' 'Riso amaro' (1949), one of the first neorealist films. He became a prominent actor in Italian cinema throughout the 1950s, often playing rugged and passionate characters.

In the 1960s and 1980s, Vallone continued to appear in numerous international films, including Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Godfather' (1990) and 'The Italian Job' (1969). He worked alongside legendary actresses such as Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, and Anna Magnani.

Personal Life and Later Years

In 1952, Vallone married actress Elena Varzi. They appeared together in several films and had three children. Vallone continued to act until the end of his life, notably in the 1999 film 'Toni.' He died in Rome on October 31, 2002, at the age of 86.

Autobiographical Work

In 2001, Vallone published his autobiography, 'Alfabeto della memoria.' The book provides insights into his life and career, including his experiences during the war and his thoughts on acting.