Catherine Spaak (1945-2022), a Belgian-born, naturalized Italian actress, was a prominent figure in Italian cinema from the early 1960s onwards. She often embodied the image of the modern, independent, and sometimes rebellious young woman of the era.

Her most iconic role is undoubtedly that of the young student in Dino Risi's masterpiece, *Il Sorpasso* (1962), which established her as a symbol of a new generation. Significant performances followed in films such as Damiano Damiani's *La Noia* (1963) and Florestano Vancini's *La Calda Vita* (1964). She also demonstrated great versatility in comedy, as seen in Pietro Germi's *Il Tigre* (1967), and is also unforgettable in the role of the nun Teodora in Mario Monicelli's *L'Armata Brancaleone* (1966).

Her characters, often sophisticated but with a veil of fragility or naivety, captured the nuances of a transforming society. A versatile actress, she collaborated with the leading directors of her time.