Isabella Rossellini Biography

ISABELLA ROSSELLINI

Date of Birth: June 18, 1952

You could say that film is in her blood as the daughter of famous actress Ingrid Bergman and director Roberto Rossellini. Isabella Rossellini was born in Rome, Italy where she was raised as well as spending some of her youth in Santa Marinella and Paris. Diagnosed with scoliosis at 13, Isabella had to endure extensive surgeries on her back and leg, putting her out of commission and in a body cast for a year while she recovered.

When she left home and headed for New York City, Isabella attended Finch College, working as a translator, a television reporter and even a circus ringmaster to pay for school. Isabella was also a frequent guest on Robert Benigni's (Life is Beautiful) Italian comedy show named The Other Sunday. Life in New York became permanent when Isabella met and married director Martin Scorsese, but she divorced him to marry former model Jon Wiedemann, with whom she had daughter Elettra. Unfortunately, that marriage also ended in divorce, after only three years.

During her relationship with Wiedemann, a career in modeling presented itself to Rossellini when she was photographed for both the British and the American versions of Vogue. Her modeling work led to her being offered the position of the exclusive spokesperson for the cosmetics brand Lancôme, a gig that lasted 14 years, until she was unceremoniously replaced due to her age. While Isabella was spokesperson she helped with the development of the Lancôme fragrance, Trésor, which came in handy when developing her own line of fragrance years later called Isabella Rossellini's Manifesto.

Rossellini began her film career with a small part as a nun in the film A Matter of Time opposite her mother, but her career didn't kickstart until the mid-1980s, when she played opposite Russian ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, considered one of the greatest dancers of all time, in White Nights (1985). Another great role followed when she was cast as Dorothy Vallens, the nightclub singer, in David Lynch's film Blue Velvet. Some of her other films include Death Becomes Her and Immortal Beloved. She has also had recurring roles on hit television series such as Alias, 30 Rock and Shut Eye. In 1997 she received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her work in the TV movie, Crime of the Century (1996).

She continues to work in steadily, including The Accidental Husband (2009) and Joy (2015). She has also appeared on Broadway and occasionally does voice work as well, most recently in the Disney/Pixar sequel Incredibles 2 (2018).

Rossellini, known for raising awareness about environmental issues, is also a trainer of guide dogs for the blind.

Filmography

Incredibles 2 (2018)
Silent Life (2018)
Closet Monster (2015) (voix)
Joy (2015)
Enemy (2013)
The Zigzag Kid (2012)
Du vent dans mes mollets (2012)
Keyhole (2011)
Poulet aux prunes (2011)
Late Bloomers (2011)
La solitude des nombres premiers (2010)
My Dog Tulip (2009)
Flat Love (2009)
The Accidental Husband (2009)
Two Lovers (2009)
Brand Upon the Brain! (2006)
Infamous (2006)
The Architect (2006)
La Fiesta del chivo (2005)
Heights (2005)
King of the Corner (2004)
The Tulse Luper Suitcases (2003)
Roger Dodger (2002)
Empire (2002)
Il Cielo cade (2000)
The Imposters (1998)
Left Luggage (1998)
The Funeral (1996)
Big Night (1996)
Croce e delizia (1995)
Immortal Beloved (1994)
Wyatt Earp (1994)
Fearless (1993)
The Innocent (1993)
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Caccia alla vedova (1991)
Dames galantes (1990)
Wild at Heart (1990)
Red Riding Hood (1989)
Cousins (1989)
Zelly and Me (1988)
Siesta (1987)
Tough Guys Don't Dance (1987)
Blue Velvet (1986)
White Nights (1985)
Il Pap'occhio (1980)
Il Prato (1979)
A Matter of Time (1976)