Monica Bellucci was born on September 30th, 1968, in the village of
Citta di Castello, in Umbria, Italy. Initially pursuing a career as a
lawyer, Monica decided to start modeling in order to help pay for her
tuition while at the University of Perugia. But of course, the
glamorous life of a model -- which includes travel and a sweet income
-- tempted Monica away from her law studies. In 1988, Monica moved to
one of Europe's fashion centers -- Milan. There, she signed with Elite
Model Management and found plenty of modeling work. By 1989, Monica
was making it big in Paris and across the Atlantic, in New York. But
although she had achieved huge success in so little time as a model
(posing for Dolce & Gabbana and French Elle), Monica thrived for more.
Monica's classic and elegant good looks are matched only by an equally
sophisticated and refined fashion sense. She made her film debut in
1990, with roles in Vita coi figli and Briganti (a.k.a Bandits: Love
and Liberty). The following year, Monica starred as Francesca in the
film La Riffa, and made her American film debut with the role of
Dracula's Bride in 1992's Bram Stoker's Dracula, co-starring Gary
Oldman and Winona Ryder. Roles began to pour in for the Italian
beauty. After a role in Ostinato destino, she appeared in I Mitici
(a.k.a. The Heroes) in 1994, and Palla di neve in 1995. She also
starred as the Pharaoh's wife in the made-for-TV movie, Joseph. But it
was her role in the 1996 film, L'Appartement, that earned Monica her
acting accolades. In 1997, Bellucci was cast in Come mi vuoi (a.k.a As
You Want Me), Dobermann and Mauvais genre. After roles in more
European films such as 1998's L'Ultimo capodanno, A los que aman, and
Compromis, she starred in 1999's Comme un poisson hors de l'eau
(a.k.a. Like a Fish Out of Water). But it was the critical success of
the Italian film Malena (2000), in which Monica starred in the title
role, that really catapulted her to fame. In 2001, Bellucci starred in
Brotherhood of the Wolf (co-starring her husband Cassel) and as
Cleopatra in Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatre. The following year
she starred in Tears of the Sun, with Bruce Willis, and of course, as
Persephone in the highly anticipated sequels to 1999's The Matrix. In
2004, Monica Bellucci was seen as Magdalene in Mel Gibson's
controversial blockbuster, The Passion of the Christ, and returned to
French film with Agents secrets. She can also add 2004's The Brothers
Grimm (with Matt Damon and Heath Ledger), Spike Lee's She Hate Me, and
2005's Lord of War (with Nicolas Cage) to her filmography.
With over 20 movies to her credit she isn't a novice to film,
unfortunately her fame comes from Italian cinema. Monica has not
benefited from the Hollywood marketing machine that movie studios are
capable of. Although the model-turned-actress has reached incredible
heights in both streams of her career, she still dreams of working
with the legendary Robert De Niro. Critics are quick to compare Monica
Bellucci to previous Italian beauties, but she has her own brand of
sensual style. With roles as a topless vampire in "Dracula", and her
recent role as a sci-fi vixen in the Matrix sequels, Monica has proven
to be a bold blend of a seductive actress and a talented star.