Valeria Golino
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1965-10-22
    • Born Place: Naples, Campania, Italy

Valeria Golino

Valeria Golino is an acclaimed Italian actress and director, born on October 22, 1965, in Naples, Italy. Her upbringing was marked by an artistic household, with an Italian father who was a Germanist scholar and a Greek mother who was a painter. She spent her formative years alternating between Athens and Sorrento. At age 11, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, which led to a six-month stay in Chicago for treatment, where she learned English. At 14, she began a career in fashion modeling across Athens, Milan, London, and Los Angeles, appearing in various commercials and modeling campaigns.Golino's entry into acting was somewhat serendipitous. While still in high school, she was discovered by director Lina Wertmüller through her uncle, journalist Enzo Golino, and cast in her debut film A Joke of Destiny (1983). Though she initially harbored aspirations of becoming a cardiologist, this experience led her to abandon modeling and pursue acting. Her early career in Italian cinema saw her gain critical attention, notably with Storia d'amore (1986), which earned her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival.Her international breakthrough came in the late 1980s when she moved to Los Angeles. She starred in Hollywood productions like Big Top Pee-wee (1988) and, most notably, as Susanna in the Academy Award-winning Rain Man (1988) alongside Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. She further showcased her comedic talent in the popular Hot Shots! (1991) and its sequel Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993). Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Golino skillfully balanced mainstream Hollywood films with more independent and European art-house productions.Golino's diverse filmography includes a wide range of genres and collaborations with notable directors. She has appeared in films such as Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Four Rooms (1995), Escape from L.A. (1996), Frida (2002), and Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019). Her commitment to her craft is evident in her fluency in English, French, Italian, and Greek, which has allowed her to work across various international productions.Beyond acting, Valeria Golino has also ventured into directing. Her directorial debut, Miele (Honey), premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and earned critical acclaim, including a commendation from the Ecumenical Jury and nominations for various awards. She followed this success with her second feature film, Euphoria (2018), which also received positive reviews and accolades. Golino continues to be a prominent figure in both Italian and international cinema, known for her versatility, nuanced performances, and keen artistic vision. She is one of only three actresses to have won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival twice.

Person History