Raf Vallone

Biography

Raffaele "Raf" Vallone (February 17, 1916 – October 31, 2002) was a distinguished Italian actor who gained international acclaim throughout his career. Hailing from Tropea in Calabria, Vallone was born into a legal family and pursued his education at Liceo Classico Cavour in Turin, later studying Law and Philosophy at the University of Turin. He briefly played professional football in Serie A with Torino, securing an Italian Cup victory in the 1935-1936 season.

Vallone's career took an unexpected turn when he became the editorial head of the culture section for L'Unità, the official publication of the Italian Communist Party, while also contributing as a film and drama critic for the Turin-based La Stampa. During World War II, he actively participated in the Communist resistance.

His cinematic journey began with a minor role as a sailor in We the Living (1942), but it was his part in the neo-realist film Riso amaro (Bitter Rice) (1949), where he competed for the affections of Silvana Mangano alongside Vittorio Gassman, that propelled him into the spotlight. Vallone's contributions to film were further immortalized in his 2001 autobiography, L'alfabeto della memoria.

Married to actress Elena Varzi since 1952, Vallone was a proud father of three children, including actors Eleonora and Saverio Vallone. He passed away in Rome on October 31, 2002, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved figure in cinema.