Trivia of Gina Lollobrigida

Trivia of Gina Lollobrigida (4 July 1927 - 16 January 2023)

*Young Gina did some modeling went on to participate successfully in several beauty contests. In 1947, she entered a beauty competition for Miss Italy, and came in third place.

*In 1950, Howard Hughes signed Lollobrigida on a preliminary seven-year contract to make three pictures a year. She refused the final terms of the contract, preferring to remain in Europe and Hughes suspended her. Despite selling RKO Pictures in 1955, Hughes retained Lollobrigida's contract. The dispute prevented her from working in American movies filmed in the U.S. until 1959, though not from working in American productions shot in Europe, although Hughes often threatened legal action against the producers.

*Her first widely seen English-language film, Beat the Devil (1953), was shot in Italy. In this film, directed by John Huston, she played the wife of Humphrey Bogart.Humphrey Bogart described Gina Lollobrigida as "the most woman I've seen for a long time--makes Marilyn Monroe look like Shirley Temple."He nicknamed her "Frigidaire".

*Was good friends with Shelley Winters. Winters named her daughter's middle name "Gina", in honor of Lollobrigida.

*Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren have had a long-running feud that has been compared to some of the greatest Italian feuds.Some sources thought their feud may actually have started over casting for the Bread, Love, and Dreams film franchise. Lollobrigida played the lead in the first two movies, but she wanted higher pay for the third. The producers refused, instead re-casting Loren in the role. Whatever the cause, the actresses managed to continue their dislike for each other for well over 50 years.

*Aside from acting, Lollobrigida has also pursued other passions like photography and singing. In 1959, she recorded her first album, “Gina Lollobrigida,” which showcased her beautiful soprano voice.Though her singing career was short-lived, but it was a bright glimpse into her vast talent. Two of her top songs are:Virtual Violin” (1957): This iconic song from the movie “Tutta La Citta Canta” showcased Lollobrigida’s beautiful vocal range and her captivating charm in front of the camera. And “Adriatic Sea” (1957): This song was from the Italian movie “La Donna Più Bella del Mondo.” The song was an instant hit and highlighted her pure soprano voice.

*She also worked extensively as a photojournalist across the globe during the 1970s documenting revolution through Cuba, Africa, and Tanzania all while taking behind-the-scenes photographs from sets on which she acted — like being transformed into female radical Che Guevara for "Country of shame" (1966). She even had an exclusive interview with Fidel Castro.