Elena Varzi (Soriano nel Cimino, 21 December 1926 – Sperlonga, 1 September 2014) was an Italian actress, a striking and representative figure of post-war neorealist cinema. Her career, although brief, had a significant impact and was primarily concentrated between 1949 and 1953. She rose to prominence with leading roles in key films of the period, such as Luciano Emmer's *Domenica d'agosto* (1950) and, most notably, Pietro Germi's *Il cammino della speranza* (1950). On the set of the latter film, she met actor Raf Vallone, whom she married in 1952, subsequently deciding to retire from the screen to devote herself to her family. Her other significant performances include her role in Giuseppe De Santis' *Roma ore 11* (1952). Her acting, characterized by a profound dramatic intensity, left an indelible mark on the history of Italian cinema. In recognition of the value of her brief filmography, she was awarded a special David di Donatello for lifetime achievement in 2003.