Baby Light, born as Maria Mancini, is an Italian actress and dancer who is best known for her roles in films such as La Dolce Vita (1960), The Leopard (1963) and Divorce Italian Style (1961).
Light was born in Rome in 1936 to an Italian family. Her father was an accountant and her mother was a housewife. She showed an early interest in acting and dancing, and at the age of 12 she began attending the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Rome. She later joined a drama class at the Teatro Stabile di Genova, where she began to hone her skills as an actress and dancer.
Light's career began in 1954 when she appeared in the film Lo Sceicco Bianco. This was followed by roles in films such as I Soliti Ignoti (1958) and La Dolce Vita (1960). Her performance in The Leopard (1963) earned her international acclaim, and she was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actress.
In addition to her film roles, Light also had a successful career on stage. She performed in numerous plays in Italy and abroad, including a run of La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She also performed in cabaret shows and musicals.
Light's personal life was tumultuous. In 1961 she married the actor Guido Celano, but the marriage ended in divorce a few years later. In 1972 she married the actor Giancarlo Giannini, with whom she had a daughter. The couple divorced in 1979.
Light's career continued to flourish in the 1980s and 1990s, with roles in films such as Il Postino (1994) and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999). She also continued to act on stage, appearing in productions of classics such as The Seagull and Death of a Salesman.
Light has won numerous awards throughout her career, including the David di Donatello Award for Best Actress in 1961, and the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award in 1964. She has also been inducted into the Italian Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Light continues to act and dance today. She has appeared in films such as The Great Beauty (2013), and is still a fixture on the Italian stage. At the age of 84, she remains a beloved and respected figure in the Italian film and theatre industry.
