History of Sophia Loren in Timeline
"Sophia Loren, born Sofia Villani Scicolone, is an iconic Italian actress with a career exceeding 70 years. Renowned for her work in both Italian and American cinema, she is celebrated as one of the greatest stars of classical Hollywood and a lasting icon from the Golden Age of Hollywood."
1907: Birth of Sophia Loren's Father
Sophia Loren's father, Riccardo Scicolone Murillo, was born in 1907.
1910: Birth of Sophia Loren's Mother
Sophia Loren's mother, Romilda Villani, was born in 1910.
September 1934: Birth of Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren was born Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone in September 1934.
September 20, 1934: Birth in Rome
Sophia Loren was born on September 20, 1934, in Rome, Italy.
1938: Birth of Sophia Loren's Sister
Sophia Loren's sister, Maria, was born in 1938.
1950: Miss Italia Pageant
At 15, Sophia Loren, under the name Sofia Lazzaro, participated in the Miss Italia 1950 beauty pageant and won the title of "Miss Elegance 1950".
1950: Sophia Loren's Acting Debut
At 16 years old, Sophia Loren began her film career in 1950 after participating in a beauty pageant.
1950: First Met Carlo Ponti
Sophia Loren, at the age of 15, crossed paths with Carlo Ponti, then 37, marking the beginning of their long and complicated relationship.
1951: Uncredited Role in "Quo Vadis"
At 16, Sophia Loren appeared as an uncredited extra in the film "Quo Vadis" (1951).
1951: Role as an Odalisque
Sophia Loren, credited as Sofia Lazzaro, appeared in the Italian film "Era lui... sì! sì!" in 1951, playing the role of an odalisque.
1952: Minor Role in "La Favorita"
Sophia Loren played a minor role in the film "La Favorita" in 1952.
1953: Name Change and First Starring Role
Carlo Ponti suggested Sophia Loren change her name from Sofia Lazzaro for a wider appeal. That same year, she had her first starring role in the film "Aida" (1953), which garnered critical acclaim.
1953: Lead Role in "Two Nights with Cleopatra"
Sophia Loren played the lead role in the film "Two Nights with Cleopatra" in 1953.
1954: Breakthrough in "The Gold of Naples"
Sophia Loren's breakthrough role came in 1954 with the film "The Gold of Naples", directed by Vittorio De Sica.
1954: Co-starring with Marcello Mastroianni
The year 1954 marked the beginning of Sophia Loren's frequent collaborations with Marcello Mastroianni, starting with the films "Too Bad She's Bad" and "La Bella Mugnaia" (1955).
1956: International Breakthrough with Paramount Pictures
Sophia Loren's international career was launched in 1956 when she signed a five-picture contract with Paramount Pictures.
September 1957: First Marriage to Carlo Ponti
Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti married in a proxy ceremony in Mexico on September 1957. At the time, Loren was 23 and Ponti was 45, and although separated from his first wife, he was not yet legally divorced.
1957: Starring in "The Pride and the Passion"
In 1957, Sophia Loren starred in the Napoleonic war epic "The Pride and the Passion", alongside Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra.
1957: Affair with Cary Grant
Sophia Loren and Cary Grant embarked on an affair during the filming of "The Pride and the Passion" in 1957. The relationship ended before the film was completed, leading to complications on the set of their next project together, "Houseboat".
1958: Houseboat with Cary Grant
Sophia Loren starred alongside Cary Grant in the film "Houseboat" in 1958, a role originally intended for Grant's then-wife, Betsy Drake. The film's production was marked by the fallout of Grant and Loren's affair.
1958: International Stardom
Sophia Loren's five-picture contract with Paramount Pictures in 1958 solidified her status as an international film star.
1960: Cannes Film Festival Award and Oscar Win for "Two Women"
Sophia Loren's performance in "Two Women" in 1960 earned her the best performance prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Actress. Despite her success, she was absent from the ceremony due to fear of fainting.
1960: Academy Award for Best Actress
Sophia Loren won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in "Two Women" in 1960, a significant achievement as the first win for a non-English performance.
1960: The Millionairess and It Started in Naples
Sophia Loren starred in two notable films in 1960: "The Millionairess" alongside Peter Sellers and "It Started in Naples" with Clark Gable.
1961: Million Dollar Role in "El Cid"
In 1961, Sophia Loren's career peaked when she was paid $1 million for her role in the film "El Cid".
1962: Annulment of First Marriage
Facing potential bigamy charges, Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti had their 1957 marriage annulled in 1962, though they continued to live together.
1962: Maria Scicolone's marriage
In 1962, Sophia Loren's sister, Maria Scicolone, married Romano Mussolini, the youngest son of Benito Mussolini.
1963: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
In 1963, Loren starred in Vittorio De Sica's triptych "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" with Marcello Mastroianni.
1963: David di Donatello Award for "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow"
Sophia Loren received the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress for her role in "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" in 1963.
1964: David di Donatello Award and Oscar Nomination for "Marriage Italian Style"
In 1964, Sophia Loren won another David di Donatello Award and received a second Oscar nomination for her performance in "Marriage Italian Style".
1964: High Point in Career with "The Fall of the Roman Empire"
Sophia Loren reached another pinnacle of her career in 1964, receiving $1 million for her appearance in "The Fall of the Roman Empire".
1964: Golden Globe Award Wins
Sophia Loren's popularity earned her the first of four Golden Globe Awards as "World Film Favorite – Female" in 1964.
1965: Second Oscar Nomination for "Marriage Italian-Style"
Sophia Loren received her second Academy Award nomination in 1965 for her role in "Marriage Italian-Style", in which she starred opposite Marcello Mastroianni.
1965: Becoming French Citizens
Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti were granted French citizenship in 1965, facilitated by then Prime Minister Georges Pompidou, paving the way for their legal marriage.
1965: Lady L
Loren starred in Peter Ustinov's "Lady L" with Paul Newman in 1965.
April 1966: Second Marriage to Carlo Ponti
After annulling their previous marriage and obtaining French citizenship, Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti were able to legally wed in France on April 9, 1966, following Ponti's divorce from his first wife.
1966: Arabesque
Sophia Loren starred alongside Gregory Peck in the film "Arabesque" in 1966.
1967: A Countess from Hong Kong
1967 marked the release of Charlie Chaplin's final film, "A Countess from Hong Kong," starring Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando.
December 1968: Birth of Carlo Ponti Jr.
Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti welcomed their first son, Carlo Ponti Jr., on December 29, 1968.
1968: Motherhood and Shift in Career
After becoming a mother in 1968, Sophia Loren appeared in fewer films, focusing primarily on Italian productions.
1970: Sunflower
"Sunflower" garnered critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination in 1970.
1970: David di Donatello Award for "Sunflower"
Sophia Loren was awarded the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress for her role in the film "Sunflower" in 1970.
1972: Man of La Mancha
Despite receiving several award nominations, including two Golden Globes, "Man of La Mancha" (1972), directed by Arthur Hiller, faced critical and commercial disappointment.
January 1973: Birth of Edoardo Ponti
Edoardo Ponti, Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti's second son, was born on January 6, 1973.
November 1974: The Voyage and Brief Encounter Premieres
Sophia Loren starred in "The Voyage," the last film directed by De Sica, and a remake of "Brief Encounter," both of which premiered on US television on November 12, 1974, as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame series on NBC.
1974: David di Donatello Award for "The Voyage"
In 1974, Sophia Loren received the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress for her performance in "The Voyage".
1976: Death of Sophia Loren's Father
Sophia Loren's father, Riccardo Scicolone Murillo, died in 1976.
1976: Reconciliation with Father
Sophia Loren met her father for the third and final time at his deathbed in 1976.
1976: The Cassandra Crossing
Loren starred in "The Cassandra Crossing" in 1976, achieving international success and respectable box office performance in the US.
1977: David di Donatello Award for "A Special Day"
Sophia Loren's performance in "A Special Day" earned her another David di Donatello Award for Best Actress in 1977.
1977: A Special Day
Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni reunited in Ettore Scola's "A Special Day" (1977). The film received critical acclaim, earning multiple award nominations and winning a Golden Globe and a César Award. Loren's performance garnered her a David di Donatello Award, her seventh.
1977: Golden Globe Award Wins
Sophia Loren received her fourth Golden Globe Award as "World Film Favorite – Female" in 1977.
1978: Golden Globe Award Win
Sophia Loren received her fourth Golden Globe Award for "world film favorite" in 1978.
1979: Firepower
Sophia Loren led the action thriller "Firepower" (1979) alongside James Coburn and O. J. Simpson, with whom she had collaborated on "The Cassandra Crossing."
1980: Sophia Loren: Her Own Story
Following the success of her biography "Sophia Loren: Living and Loving, Her Own Story" by A. E. Hotchner, Loren portrayed herself and her mother in the television adaptation "Sophia Loren: Her Own Story" in 1980.
1981: Declined Role in Dynasty
Sophia Loren declined the role of Alexis Carrington in the television series "Dynasty" in 1981.
1981: Launch of Perfume and Eyewear Brand
Sophia Loren made history in 1981 as the first female celebrity to introduce her own perfume, 'Sophia,' followed by an eyewear line.
1982: Tax Evasion Charges
While in Italy in 1982, Sophia Loren faced legal trouble and served an 18-day prison sentence for tax evasion charges.
1984: Aurora and Falcon Crest
Loren starred in the TV movie "Aurora" alongside her son, Edoardo Ponti, in 1984. She was also set to appear in "Falcon Crest" but negotiations failed, and the role went to Gina Lollobrigida.
1991: Death of Sophia Loren's Mother
Sophia Loren's mother, Romilda Villani, passed away in 1991.
1991: Academy Honorary Award
Sophia Loren received an Academy Honorary Award in 1991, recognizing her significant contributions to cinema.
1991: Academy Honorary Award
Sophia Loren was honored with the Academy Honorary Award in 1991 for her lifetime achievements in the film industry.
April 1993: Presented Federico Fellini with Honorary Oscar
Sophia Loren presented Federico Fellini with an honorary Oscar in April 1993.
1994: Golden Palm Star
A Golden Palm Star was dedicated to Sophia Loren on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 1994.
1994: Appearance in "Prêt-à-porter"
Sophia Loren appeared in the film "Prêt-à-porter" in 1994.
1994: Golden Globe Nomination for Ready to Wear
Sophia Loren's performance in Robert Altman's "Ready to Wear" (1994) earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
1995: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 1995, Sophia Loren was honored with the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for her remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry.
1995: Grumpier Old Men
Sophia Loren starred in the commercially successful film "Grumpier Old Men" (1995) alongside Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, and Ann-Margret.
1995: Role in "Grumpier Old Men"
Sophia Loren starred in the film "Grumpier Old Men" in 1995.
June 1996: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit
Sophia Loren was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (OMRI) in June 1996.
1997: Honorable Prize at Moscow International Film Festival
Sophia Loren received an Honorable Prize for her contributions to cinema at the 20th Moscow International Film Festival in 1997.
September 1999: Lawsuit Against Adult Websites
In September 1999, Sophia Loren took legal action against 79 adult websites for publishing manipulated nude images of her online.
1999: Recognition by American Film Institute
The American Film Institute acknowledged Sophia Loren as one of the greatest female stars of Golden Age Hollywood cinema in 1999.
2001: Jury President at Miss Italia
Sophia Loren returned to the Miss Italia pageant in 2001 as president of the jury for the 61st edition.
2001: Special Grand Prix of the Americas Award
Sophia Loren's career achievements were recognized with the Special Grand Prix of the Americas Award at the Montreal World Film Festival in 2001.
2002: Between Strangers
Sophia Loren appeared in the independent film "Between Strangers" (2002), directed by her son Edoardo and featuring Mira Sorvino.
2004: Lives of the Saints
Loren took part in the television miniseries "Lives of the Saints" in 2004.
2006: Residence in Geneva
Sophia Loren has resided primarily in Geneva, Switzerland, since late 2006, while maintaining homes in Naples and Rome.
January 2007: Death of Carlo Ponti
Carlo Ponti, Sophia Loren's husband, passed away on January 10, 2007, at the age of 94 due to pulmonary complications.
May 2007: S.S.C. Napoli Fandom
Sophia Loren, a devoted fan of S.S.C. Napoli, jokingly pledged to perform a striptease if the team won in May 2007 when they were in Serie B.
2007: Pirelli Calendar
Sophia Loren was featured in the 2007 Pirelli Calendar.
2009: Unreleased Film with Fellini
In 2009, Loren revealed that Federico Fellini had intended to direct her in a film before his passing in 1993.
2009: Nine
Sophia Loren returned to the big screen in Rob Marshall's film adaptation of the Broadway musical "Nine" in 2009.
2009: Appearance in "Nine"
Sophia Loren was part of the cast for the film "Nine" in 2009.
2010: Crowning the Miss Italia Winner
Sophia Loren crowned the winner of the 71st Miss Italia pageant in 2010.
2010: La Mia Casa È Piena di Specchi
Sophia Loren played her own mother in a two-part Italian television miniseries, "La Mia Casa È Piena di Specchi" (My House Is Full of Mirrors), directed by Vittorio Sindoni and based on her sister Maria's memoir.
July 2013: The Human Voice
Sophia Loren returned to film in July 2013, starring in a short-film adaptation of Jean Cocteau's 1930 play "The Human Voice," directed by her son, Edoardo Ponti.
2013: Tax Evasion Charges Cleared
Sophia Loren was cleared of the tax evasion charges by the supreme court of Italy in 2013.
November 2017: Almeria Walk of Fame and Almería Tierra de Cine Award
Sophia Loren was honored with a star on the Almeria Walk of Fame in Spain for her work in "Bianco, rosso e..." and received the Almería Tierra de Cine award in November 2017.
2020: David di Donatello Award for "The Life Ahead"
Sophia Loren received the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress for her role in "The Life Ahead" in 2020.
2020: The Life Ahead
Sophia Loren returned to feature films as Holocaust survivor Madame Rosa in her son Edoardo Ponti's 2020 film "The Life Ahead."
2020: Performance in "The Life Ahead"
Sophia Loren starred in the film "The Life Ahead" in 2020.
February 2021: Guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs
In February 2021, Sophia Loren appeared as a guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, where she selected a pizza oven as her luxury item and shared anecdotes, including one about Richard Burton's reaction to her Scrabble skills.
2021: Best Actress and Grand Dame Awards
Sophia Loren's performance in "The Life Ahead" earned her the AARP Best Actress and AWFJ Grand Dame awards in 2021.
September 24, 2023: Emergency Surgery Following Fall
On September 24, 2023, Sophia Loren underwent emergency surgery due to fractures in her hip and femur, sustained from a fall in her Switzerland residence.