Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone, or Sophia Loren, Dama di Gran Croce OMRI, born in Rome on 20th September 1934, is an Italian film actress and singer. After being encouraged to enroll in acting lessons following a beauty pageant, Loren began her film career in 1950, aged fifteen. She appeared in several bit parts and minor roles during the first half of the decade, until her five-picture contract with Paramount in 1956 launched her international...