Celebrity Info
Blonde and buxom to a physics-defying degree, Swedish-born actress Anita Ekberg became the very embodiment of a cinematic sex goddess through her unforgettable role in Italian director Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960). After winning the Miss Sweden beauty pageant in 1950, Ekberg made her way to America and quickly landed a contract with Universal Pictures. She went on to appear in a series of films such as Blood Alley (1955), Hollywood or Bust (1956), and the historical epic War and Peace (1956).
Interestingly, while her on-screen performances were notable, it was often her rumored romantic relationships with some of Hollywood’s most charismatic leading men—like Tyrone Power, Gary Cooper, and Frank Sinatra—that captured the public’s attention. As time went on, however, Ekberg found herself starring in a string of lower-budget genre films, including Sheba and the Gladiator (1959). That all changed when Fellini cast the stunning actress in La Dolce Vita, a role that catapulted her co-star Marcello Mastroianni into international stardom. Surprisingly, the film didn’t have the same career-boosting effect for Ekberg herself.
Following a few more mainstream projects like 4 for Texas (1963), Anita Ekberg gradually transitioned into decades of largely forgettable European B-movies. She later made a nostalgic appearance as herself in Fellini’s Intervista (1987), reflecting on her time in the spotlight. While none of her other performances ever matched the brilliance of her work in La Dolce Vita, the image of her joyfully splashing about with Mastroianni in Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain remains etched in cinematic history. That unforgettable moment alone was more than enough to secure her place among the greatest screen sex symbols of all time.
Anita Ekberg passed away in Italy, the country she had come to call home, on January 11, 2015.
Anita Ekberg’s most acclaimed film, which remains highly regarded by audiences and critics alike, is La Dolce Vita (1960). On the other hand, one of her least favorably reviewed works is Four for Texas (1963), which didn’t quite resonate with viewers in the same way. While Anita Ekberg has been part of several notable projects throughout her career, these two films represent the extremes in terms of reception. Anita Ekberg’s performance in La Dolce Vita especially solidified her status in cinematic history, whereas Four for Texas is often seen as a less memorable entry in her filmography.
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