Serena Faggioli (born Bologna, 23 March 1958), known professionally as Serena Grandi, is an Italian actress, famous as a sex symbol in Italian cinema of the 1980s and 1990s. She was a popular pin-up model in Italy. During her film career, some films credited her as Vanessa Steiger, and she was notable in particular for two gory opuses, Antropophagus (1980) and Delirium (1987).
Biography Serena Grandi was born in Bologna, Italy. She graduated in computer programming and was first employed in a scientific analysis laboratory. She started her acting career in 1980, playing a supporting role in the comedy film La Compagna di viaggio by Ferdinando Baldi.
In the same year, Grandi played the role of Maggie in the controversial film Antropophagus, directed by Joe D'Amato. This film is well known among horror movie fans for its extreme gore sequences. After several minor roles, she took the title role in Tinto Brass' Miranda, which gave her the status of sex symbol in her native Italy and set the path for her stardom.
Through the 1980s, Grandi made nearly 20 films, mainly appearing in commedie sexy all'italiana and erotic films, but also starring in sword epics such as The Adventures of Hercules and in some horror films. In 1987 Lamberto Bava gave her the role of Gloria in his film Delirium. In 1991 she married the antiquarian Beppe Ercole, 20 years her senior, with whom she had a son Edoardo; the couple divorced in 1998.
In the 1990s, Grandi started to back away from the spotlight; during this time she focused her career on television series.
In 2003-2004 Grandi spent 157 days under house arrest, accused of having sold a few grams of cocaine. The case was later dismissed.
In 2006, Grandi was a candidate in the list of Social Action, a right-wing party led by Alessandra Mussolini, but she was not elected. The same year she published her first novel, L'amante del federale. In 2008, after a break of ten years, she returned to acting.
In 2017 Grandi competed in Grande Fratello VIP, the Italian adaptation of Celebrity Big Brother.
Filmography Films +Film roles showing year released, title, role played and notesYearTitleRoleNotes1980Mia moglie è una stregaFemale passengerUncreditedTranquille donne di campagnaAidaLa compagna di viaggioTeodoro's wifeCameo appearanceI'm PhotogenicWomanUncreditedAntropophagusMaggie1981Teste di quoioNurse #1Cameo appearance1982Pierino colpisce ancoraRosinaPierino la peste alla riscossa!WaitressCameo appearanceMalamoreProstituteCameo appearanceSturmtruppen 2 - Tutti al frontePaesantUncredited1983Tu mi turbiGuardian angelAcapulco, prima spiaggia… a sinistraMovie starCameo appearance1984A Boy and a GirlProstituteCameo appearance1985The Adventures of HerculesEuryaleMirandaMiranda1986Desiring JuliaJulia TassiLady of the NightSimonaUrsula1987TeresaTeresaRimini RiminiLola Sarti/ RamonaDeliriumGioiaRoba da ricchiDoraSegment: "Primo episodio"1989L'insegnante di violoncelloMargherita Valle1990In the Name of the Sovereign PeopleRosetta1991Per odio, per amoreAida1992Donne sottotetto (Centro storico)CarolaSaint Tropez - Saint TropezAda1993Graffiante desiderioMarcella Fabbri1994Delitto passionaleTania1995La strana storia di Olga OOlga Roli1997Gli inaffidabiliFioranna1998MonellaZairaRadiofrecciaFreccia's mother2008Giovanna's FatherLella GhiaZoèMotherShort film2010Dopo quella notteOrnellaA Second ChildhoodAunt Amabile2012Due uomini, quattro donne e una mucca depressaIma2013The Great BeautyLorenaWinner — Academy Award for Best International Feature Film2019Tutto liscioEnrica2021We Still TalkClementina
Television +Television roles showing year released, title, role played and notesYearTitleRoleNotes1985Sogni e bisogniMarisaEpisode: "L'imbiancone"1986PremiatissimaHerself/co-hostVariety show (season 5)1988ZanzibarValeriaEpisode: "La Vedova"1990Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia BrideAddolorata PertinaceMiniseriesPaperissima SprintHerself/ HostComedy show (season 1)1992Piazza di SpagnaMargherita MorgantiMain role; 5 episodes1995Il prezzo della vitaSerenaTelevision filmPazza famigliaLisa2 episodes1997Ladri si nasceThe WifeTelevision film1998Le ragazze di Piazza di SpagnaSimona2 episodesAnni '50Maria Miniseries2004–2005Il ristoranteHerself/ ContestantReality show (runner-up)2008Una madreSalvatriceMiniseries2016–2021Domenica LiveHerself/ Recurring guestTalk show (seasons 5–9)Pomeriggio CinqueHerself/ Recurring guestTalk show (seasons 9–15)2017Grande Fratello VIPHerself/ ContestantReality show (season 2)2018FuroreMadameMain role (season 2); 8 episodes
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