Claudia Cardinale, Star Of “8 ½” And “The Pink Panther,” Dies At 87
Italian actress Claudia Cardinale, celebrated for her roles in iconic films like Federico Fellini’s “8 ½” and Blake Edwards’ “The Pink Panther,” has died at the age of 87. News of her passing broke on July 17, 2024, in Paris, France, according to reports from French media.
Born in Tunisia in 1938,Cardinale rose to prominence in Italian cinema during the 1960s. She frist gained international recognition for her performance in “8 ½” (1963), directed by Fellini, where she played Claudia, a glamorous muse.
Her versatility quickly led to roles in diverse genres. In 1963, she starred opposite David Niven, Peter Sellers, and Robert Wagner in Edwards’ groundbreaking comedy “The Pink Panther,” portraying a character described as part-ingenue and part-straight man to sellers’ manic performance. On set in Rome, Cardinale was known for holding her own amidst the challenging dynamic between Edwards and sellers, and alongside niven.
Cardinale continued to challenge herself with complex roles,notably portraying Jill McBain,a ”reformed” prostitute,in Sergio Leone’s 1968 spaghetti western “Once upon a Time in the West.” Her performance showcased a “knowing,quietly persistent feistiness,” establishing her as a forward-looking pioneer in the genre.
Throughout her career, Cardinale worked with some of cinema’s most renowned directors, including Luchino Visconti, who cast her alongside Burt Lancaster in ”The Leopard” (1963), a film that won the Golden Palme at the Cannes Film Festival.she was photographed with Visconti and Lancaster walking a cheetah on the beach at Cannes during promotion for the film.
Cardinale’s beauty was often noted, but she consistently demonstrated a talent for using it to subvert stereotypes and embrace challenging characters with “grand verve and vivacity.” Her legacy endures as a symbol of strength, charm, and cinematic artistry.