Nicoletta Braschi

Born on 19 April 1960 in Cesena, Italy, Nicoletta Braschi pursued formal training at Rome’s prestigious Academy of Dramatic Arts where she first encountered future husband Roberto Benigni in 1980. Their shared love for improvisational comedy quickly blossomed into a professional partnership, and Braschi made her cinematic debut alongside Benigni in the 1983 cult comedy Tu mi turbi (You Upset Me). Over the next few years she expanded her range with supporting roles in Jim Jarmusch’s Down by Law and Mystery Train, gaining valuable exposure to international audiences while honing a nuanced, naturalistic acting style. Johnny Stecchino (1991) and the Oscar‑winning La vita è bella (1997) marked the apex of her collaborative work with Benigni, the former cementing her status as a leading figure in contemporary Italian comedy and the latter showcasing her dramatic depth as the resilient wife of a Jewish protagonist enduring the horrors of a concentration camp. The latter performance earned her a Screen Actors Guild nomination as part of the ensemble and propelled both actors onto the world stage. In 1997 she delivered a critically acclaimed turn in Ovosodo, portraying a melancholy teacher whose encouragement changes a student’s trajectory; this role secured her a David di Donatello award, Italy’s highest cinematic honor. Beyond screen acting, Braschi contributed to the film community as a juror at prestigious festivals, including Berlin (2002) and Cannes (2013), and ventured into production with The Tiger and the Snow (2005). After a brief hiatus, she returned to the screen in Paolo Guarnieri’s Happy as Lazzaro (2018) and continues to explore theatre, notably starring in the Italian rendition of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal (2010). Her enduring partnership with Benigni, combined with a versatile portfolio spanning comedy, drama, and production, solidifies her legacy as one of Italy’s most influential contemporary performers.