Greta Scacchi Biography

Greta Scacchi, Actress
Occup.Actress
FromItaly
BornFebruary 18, 1960
Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Age65 years
Early Life and Background
Greta Scacchi was born on February 18, 1960, in Milan, Italy. Her birth name is Greta Scacchi, and she comes from a multicultural background; her Italian father, Luca Scacchi, was an art dealer, and her English mother, Pamela Risbey, was an English dancer and antiques dealer. After her parents separated, Greta moved with her mother to England, where she would spend much of her formative years.

Education and Training
Scacchi attended several schools across England and later Germany, where her mother remarried. She developed an interest in acting during her time at school, and after moving back to England as a teenager, she studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. There she honed her skills among other aspiring actors.

Breakthrough and Early Career
Greta’s film debut came in 1982 with the movie "Heat and Dust", directed by James Ivory and produced by the famous Merchant Ivory team. Her performance garnered significant attention, establishing her as a talented newcomer in both the British and international cinema scenes. Scacchi’s early work also included notable roles in Italian cinema, reflecting her bicultural heritage.

Prominent Roles and International Stardom
Scacchi’s breakthrough came with the 1983 film "The Ebony Tower", in which she starred opposite Laurence Olivier. She quickly became known for her versatility and striking screen presence. In 1985, she achieved wider recognition with "Coca-Cola Kid", starring alongside Eric Roberts, and in 1987's "White Mischief".

In 1990, Scacchi starred with Tim Robbins in "The Player", directed by Robert Altman. Her role in this satirical look at Hollywood further cemented her reputation as an international star. She also appeared in "Presumed Innocent" (1990) opposite Harrison Ford, and in "Shattered" (1991) alongside Tom Berenger and Bob Hoskins.

Career in Theatre and Television
Aside from her film career, Scacchi has enjoyed success on stage and television. She has appeared in numerous stage productions, particularly with the National Theatre and in the West End, and earned critical acclaim for her performances in plays such as "A Doll’s House" and "Miss Julie".

On television, Scacchi has featured in various productions, including adaptations of literary works like "Emma" (as Mrs. Weston in the 1996 TV movie adaptation) and "Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny", in which she earned an Emmy nomination for her performance.

Personal Life and Collaborators
Scacchi has worked with a wide array of prominent actors, directors, and producers, including James Ivory, Robert Altman, Peter Greenaway (in "The Belly of an Architect", 1987), and Kenneth Branagh. She has a daughter, Leila George, with actor Vincent D’Onofrio; Leila has pursued her own career in acting.

Greta has dual citizenship in Italy and Australia (having lived in Australia since the 1990s) and continues to share her time between continents.

Activism and Later Work
Beyond acting, Scacchi is a vocal environmental activist, supporting various conservation initiatives and political causes, particularly in Australia. She has continued working in film, television, and theatre into the 21st century, taking on roles that display her depth and range. Notable recent works include "Looking for Alibrandi" (2000) and "Brideshead Revisited" (2008).

Legacy
Greta Scacchi is recognized for her compelling performances, linguistic versatility—she is fluent in Italian, English, and German—and her important contributions to European and international cinema. Her career has spanned more than four decades, and she is respected for her commitment to her craft and her enduring presence on screen and stage.

Our collection contains 24 quotes who is written / told by Greta, under the main topic Dating.

Related authors: Laurence Olivier (Actor), Harrison Ford (Actor), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete), Tim Robbins (Actor), Eric Roberts (Actor), Kenneth Branagh (Actor), Tom Berenger (Actor)

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24 Famous quotes by Greta Scacchi