Italian actress Claudia Cardinale was a major figure during Hollywood’s golden era, leaving a lasting impact with her impressive body of work. Over the course of her remarkable career, she appeared in more than 100 films, with her most productive years spanning the 1960s to the early 1970s.

During that golden decade, Cardinale starred in nearly 30 films, including notable classics like *8½* (1963), *The Leopard* (1963), and *The Professionals* (1966), where she shared the screen with legendary actors Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin.

Recalling her time in Hollywood, the Tunisian-born actress revealed that one of the directors she worked with would often have the music composed before filming began, allowing the actors to immerse themselves in the score before stepping into a scene. Speaking about her Hollywood journey, she once said, “The best part was, I didn’t chase after Hollywood. They came to me.”

Her first appearance at the Cannes Film Festival came in 1961, where she presented two films: Valerio Zurlini’s *Girl With a Suitcase*, in which she played a fiercely independent singer, and Mauro Bolognini’s *The Lovemakers*, co-starring the iconic Jean-Paul Belmondo.

A rarity among her contemporaries, Cardinale never participated in a nude scene during her career. Beyond her film roles, she is an active advocate for women’s rights and has shown little interest in cosmetic enhancements.

Cardinale’s journey through the decades highlights her enduring talent, grace, and unwavering authenticity. As one of the most memorable stars from Hollywood’s golden age, she has left a lasting legacy in cinema and stands as a symbol of natural beauty and strength.