Paola Cortellesi

Biography

Paola Cortellesi, born on November 24, 1973, is a versatile Italian talent known for her work as an actress, singer, voice actress, film director, and television presenter. She kicked off her career in television with the show *Macao*, hosted by Alba Parietti, but rose to fame as a comedic actress through her performances on the sketch comedy program *Mai dire Gol*, aired in 2000, where her ability to impersonate well-known figures garnered widespread acclaim. Notably, her parody of Letizia Moratti, the mayor of Milan, during the 2010-2011 season of *Zelig* was especially well-received.

Cortellesi's television credentials also include a memorable appearance at the 2004 San Remo Music Festival and a leading role in the biopic *Maria Montessori: Una vita per i bambini*, which earned her the Maximo Award at the Roma Fiction Fest. In film, she has starred in several beloved comedies, such as the hit *Tu la conosci Claudia?*, featuring the comedic trio Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo. Her performance in *Piano, solo* (2008) earned her a nomination for the prestigious David di Donatello for Best Supporting Actress, while in 2011, she secured the David di Donatello for Best Actress for her role in *Escort in Love*. Through her diverse body of work, Cortellesi continues to be a prominent figure in the Italian entertainment industry.