Mariangela Melato was one of the most important and versatile Italian actresses of the 20th century, highly successful in theatre, film, and television. Her career began in the theatre, where she established herself as an actress of extraordinary intensity, working with directors such as Luchino Visconti and Luca Ronconi, with whom she created the landmark stage production *Orlando Furioso*. She achieved widespread popularity in film in the 1970s, primarily through her partnership with director Lina Wertmüller and actor Giancarlo Giannini, with whom she starred in iconic films such as *Mimì metallurgico ferito nell'onore* (1972) and *Travolti da un insolito destino nell'azzurro mare d'agosto* (1974). She worked with other master directors such as Elio Petri and Luigi Comencini, demonstrating a rare ability to transition from comedic and grotesque roles to intense dramatic performances. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards, including multiple David di Donatello and Nastro d'Argento awards, which cemented her status as an icon of Italian film and theatre.