Giovanna Scoglio, later known as Gia Scala, was born in Liverpool, England, but her life took a dramatic turn when she was just three months old. Her aristocratic Sicilian father and Irish mother relocated to Sicily, where she spent her early years. At the age of 14, Gia migrated to New York, settling in Queens, where she attended Bayside High School and graduated in 1952.
After high school, Gia worked various jobs, including as a file clerk and airline reservations agent, while also studying with renowned acting coaches Stella Adler and the Actors Studio. Her big break came when she appeared on a television game show, which caught the attention of a Universal Studios agent who promptly signed her to a contract in 1954.
Gia's early career was marked by a series of small but notable roles, including "The Price of Fear" (1956),"The Garment Jungle" (1957),"Don't Go Near the Water" (1957),"The Two-Headed Spy" (1958),"The Angry Hills" (1959),and "I Aim at the Stars" (1960). Her most iconic role came in 1961, when she played the mute Anna in the epic film "The Guns of Navarone," alongside Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn.
However, Gia's personal and professional life began to unravel in the following years. She struggled with deep-seated insecurities, and after the loss of her beloved mother, she fell into a severe depression. Her drinking problem worsened, leading to a few arrests and the eventual loss of her contract at Universal.
Gia's marriage to actor Don Burnett, whom she co-starred with in "The Triumph of Robin Hood" (1962),also ended in failure. In a desperate attempt to cope with her struggles, she attempted to take her own life by jumping off London's Waterloo Bridge, but was saved by a passing cab driver.
Gia's battles with depression continued, and she was forced to undergo frequent psychiatric evaluations. In an effort to find solace, she turned to painting and remained close to her younger sister, actress Tina Scala. Unfortunately, it was too late. Gia Scala was found dead in her Hollywood Hills home on April 30, 1972, due to an overdose of alcohol and sleeping pills. Her tragic story serves as a cautionary tale about the darker side of Hollywood's glamour and the devastating effects of depression.
