Greta Scacchi's life story began in Milan, Italy, where she was born to Pamela Carsaniga, an English dancer, and Luca Scacchi, an Italian art dealer and painter. Her early years were spent between Milan and Sussex, England, where she developed a unique cultural identity.
In 1975, her mother and second husband relocated to Australia, prompting Greta to leave school and work as an Italian interpreter on a ranch. At the age of 18, she returned to England, enrolling in the Bristol Old Vic to hone her acting skills. To support herself, she worked as a model for catalogues, paying her way through college.
Greta's early stage career was marked by small parts, but she eventually made her British television debut. Her breakthrough role came when she was directed by Dominik Graf in Das zweite Gesicht (1982),for which she learned German. Her fluency in languages extended to Italian and French, a skill she would utilize in future projects.
Following Heat and Dust (1983),Greta's filmography expanded to include French, Italian, and English movies, as well as Australian television. She collaborated with esteemed directors such as the Taviani Brothers, Margareta von Trotta, and Diana Kurys.
For many years, Greta resisted the allure of Hollywood, opting instead to focus on her international career. However, after appearing in White Mischief (1987),she agreed to co-star in Presumed Innocent (1990),Shattered (1991),and The Player (1992),marking a significant shift in her career trajectory.