Fiametta Baralla, a larger-than-life Italian actress, was renowned for her exceptional gift of gab, remarkable expressive qualities, and unparalleled comedic talent. Born in Rome, she was the daughter of actor Orlando Baralla and grew up in the Trastevere neighborhood, where she was affectionately known as Fiammetta.
As an actress, Fiametta made a name for herself in avant-garde theater before transitioning to cinema and television between 1968 and 2013, the year of her passing due to a stroke. Her unique physicality and cheeky humor led to a series of unconventional roles in films like "When Women Lost Their Tails," where she played an "intellectual" cave woman, and comedies such as "Il sergente Rompaglioni diventa... caporale!," in which she portrayed a stout female sergeant.
Fiametta's distinctive appearance and comedic timing also earned her roles in sexy romps alongside Edwige Fenech, Dagmar Lassander, and Femi Benussi. Her versatility as an actress was recognized by major filmmakers, including Nino Manfredi, Ettore Scola, Marco Ferreri, and Federico Fellini, who cast her in films like "Between Miracles," "We All Loved Each Other So Much," "The Story of Piera," and "The City of Women."
As the years went by, Fiametta appeared less frequently on screens big and small, but she was thrilled to be chosen by Paolo Sorrentino to play Sabrina Ferrilli's mother in "La Grande Bellezza." Unfortunately, it was her final role before her death, and her scenes were ultimately cut from the film. Fiametta Baralla, the "big funny lady" of Trastevere, left behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a unique place in the hearts of those who knew her.
