Biography

In the past people who made history were men, not women. Most Italian women wanted male children because they are very powerful, and they knew they could work the man like a puppet. But the feminist movement has made many women lose their sex appeal and become a 'war object.' In the streets today only the transvestites are really attractive.

I learned how to observe dramatic situations by watching Chaplin. But the greatest single influence on my acting was Eduardo De Filippo, a dialect comedian who taught me much about using mimicry. He was the most wonderful stage actor and, although people like Toto and Anna Magnani have been important to me, De Filippo was my mentor. For over 30 years I have been trying to look for what was my style in myself. I am still like Diogenes with his lamp, searching, searching...

If I were a lawmaker, it would be compulsory for people to live together one year before marriage. I believe half would withdraw before the year were up. I told my daughters not to commit themselves. They should experience sex and life. Changing men and sleeping around is not as bad as marrying, having children, and ruining lives. Before I was married, I had relationships with women who had husbands, and it was terrible to see how unhappy they were. There is no training period in a marriage.