Virginia E. Califano, a talented actress and devoted wife, mother, and employee, passed away on May 6, 2014, at the age of 92, in her Hollywood, California home.
Born on September 20, 1921, in New York City, Virginia was the loving daughter of Ernestine and Henry Schupp. She pursued her passion for Italian studies at UCLA, where she honed her language skills.
Virginia's illustrious career in the entertainment industry spanned the 1940s and 1950s, during which she adopted the stage name Virginia Belmont. She co-starred in numerous westerns alongside notable actors such as Jimmy Wakely, Johnny Mack Brown, and William Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy). Her beauty and charisma also earned her a spot among Director Samuel Goldwyn's "Goldwyn Girls," and she traveled extensively throughout the United States.
In 1941, Virginia married Albert Califano, a Hollywood restaurateur and Italian native who later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Albert played a significant role in fostering Virginia's career in Hollywood, and the couple eventually relocated to Rome, Italy. Virginia's fluency in Italian facilitated her transition into an expanded and successful acting career in Italy, where she starred in several popular films. Her husband, Albert, served as a correspondent for the "Hollywood Reporter" during this time.
After retiring from the entertainment industry in the late 1950s, Virginia joined United Airlines, where she worked in Sales and Reservations for an impressive 28 years. Throughout her career, she traveled the world with her husband, Albert, and developed a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity of different cultures.
Virginia is survived by her sister, June Schaefer of Livermore, California; her daughter-in-law, Katharine Turner of San Jose, California; and several nephews and nieces. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Albert; their two children, Diane and Robert; and her brother, George Schupp.
Virginia will be interred at Mt. Hope Cemetery in a family plot in San Diego, California, where she will be remembered for her remarkable accomplishments, her unwavering dedication to her family, and her enduring legacy in the entertainment industry.
