Greta Scacchi

Greta Scacchi, OMRI, born on February 18, 1960, is recognized as an Anglo-Italian-Australian actress renowned for her performances in several notable films. She gained prominence for her portrayal in "White Mischief" (1987), "Presumed Innocent" (1990), "The Player" (1992), "Emma" (1996), and "Looking for Alibrandi" (2000).
Scacchi's breakthrough came with her first leading role in "Heat and Dust" (1983), which garnered her a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer to Film. Her portrayal of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna of Russia in the television film "Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny" (1996) earned her a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
In 2006, Scacchi received her second Emmy nomination for her role in the television film "Broken Trail" and garnered her first Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, solidifying her reputation as a versatile and talented actress.


Greta Scacchi was born on February 18, 1960, in Milan, Italy, to Luca Scacchi, an Italian art dealer and painter, and Pamela Risbey, an English dancer and antiques dealer. When Scacchi was four years old, her parents divorced, and she moved with her mother and two older brothers to England. Initially settling in London, they later relocated to Haywards Heath, West Sussex.
Following her mother's remarriage in 1975, the family moved again, this time to Perth, Western Australia. Scacchi's stepfather was a visiting professor at the University of Western Australia (UWA). During her time in Perth, she attended Hollywood Senior High School and became involved in the University Dramatic Society at UWA. It was there that she made her theatrical debut at the New Dolphin Theatre in Edward Bond's play "Early Morning," directed by Arne Neeme.


In 1977, Scacchi relocated to England to pursue her acting studies at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Among her classmates were acclaimed actresses Miranda Richardson and Amanda Redman. Her on-screen debut came in 1981 when she appeared in the season finale of "Bergerac," portraying a model romantically involved with an international criminal pursued by the titular detective.


The following year marked her film debut in the German movie "Second Sight." However, it was her first leading role in the British film "Heat and Dust" (1983), alongside Shashi Kapoor and Julie Christie, that garnered attention. Her performance earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer to Film. Subsequently, Scacchi appeared in a variety of films, including "The Ebony Tower" (1984), "The Coca-Cola Kid" (1985), "White Mischief" (1987), "Presumed Innocent" (1990), "The Player" (1992), and "Country Life" (1994). Notably, she turned down the role of Catherine Trammell in "Basic Instinct" (1992).


In 1996, Scacchi received widespread acclaim and won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna of Russia in the television film "Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny." She also earned a Golden Globe nomination for this role. Her versatility was further demonstrated in the Australian film "Looking for Alibrandi" (1999), where she played an Italian-Australian single mother, winning the 2000 AFI Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Scacchi's talent extends beyond film and television; she has performed in various theatrical productions. Highlights include roles in "In Times Like These" at Bristol Old Vic, "Cider with Rosie" at Phoenix Arts Theatre in Leicester, and "Uncle Vanya" at the Vaudeville Theatre in London. She has showcased her acting prowess in works by renowned playwrights such as Ibsen and Strindberg, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and accomplished actress.


Throughout her career, Greta Scacchi has showcased her versatility and talent on stage in various theatrical productions.
In 2001, she returned to Sydney for Harold Pinter's "Old Times," directed by Aarne Neeme, where she portrayed Kate. She later toured Italy with an Italian production of the same play in 2004, this time playing Anne. Her commitment to theater continued in 2005 when she performed at the Theatre Royal, Bath, in Thea Sharrock's production of Noël Coward's "Private Lives."


Back in Australia in 2008, Scacchi received a nomination for a Sydney Theatre Best Actress Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in Schiller's "Mary Stuart" in Sydney. That same year, she also impressed audiences in Terence Rattigan's "The Deep Blue Sea" at the Theatre Royal, Bath, and subsequently in the West End back at the Vaudeville Theatre.
In 2010, she took on the challenging role of Desiree in the French premiere of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris, stepping in for an injured Kristin Scott Thomas. Her rendition of "Send In The Clowns" garnered acclaim from audiences and critics alike.


In May 2011, she appeared alongside Anita Dobson in the play "Bette and Joan" at London's Arts Theatre, directed by Bill Alexander, exploring the complex relationship between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Later that year, she graced the Ensemble Theatre in Sydney in David Williamson's new play, "Nothing Personal."
In September 2013, Scacchi delivered a memorable performance as Regan in a gala performance of William Shakespeare's "King Lear" at The Old Vic in London, directed by Sir Jonathan Miller.


In 2014, she tackled the role of Arkadina in Chekhov's "The Seagull" in Perth, showcasing her versatility in classical theater. The following year, she joined the Headlong theatre company for a UK tour of Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie," portraying Amanda.
From August to November 2016, Scacchi graced the stage as Phoebe Rice opposite Kenneth Branagh's Archie Rice in a revival of John Osborne's "The Entertainer" at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End. Despite mixed reviews for the production, her performance garnered universal praise, highlighting her enduring talent and commitment to the craft of acting.

References

1.  "Greta Scacchi profile". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
2. ^ Law, Cally; Scacchi, Greta (17 August 2008). "Slight mischief". The Sunday Times. p. 2.
3. ^ Newbigin, Nerida (4 April 2016). "Giovanni Carsaniga (1934–2016)". Australasian Centre for Italian Studies. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
4. ^ Cornwell, Jane (22 June 2014). "Greta Scacchi: acting royalty". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
5. a b "In Conversation… with Greta Scacchi". University of Western Australia. 9 November 2014.
6. ^ Bosworth, Michael (2000). "Hollywood Senior High School – A History" (PDF). Retrieved 6 January 2011.
7. ^ "The Octagon Takes a Bow". Uniview. 29 (1): 16–19. Summer 2010. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
8. ^ "Greta Scacchi". IMDb.
9. ^ Bryce Hallett, Her world's a stage, The Sydney Morning Herald, Metropolitan, 10 February 2001, p.3
10. ^ "Urban Cinefile Scacchi, Greta - Looking For Alibrandi". Urbancinefile.com.au. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
11. ^ George, Sandy (19 November 2000). "Looking For Alibrandi finds five AFI Awards | News | Screen". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
12. ^ Spencer, Charles (10 March 2008). "The Deep Blue Sea: Swept away on an ocean of bitter tears". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
13. ^ Christiansen, Rupert (18 February 2010). "Bittersweet soufflé is a delight". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
14. ^ Brown, Peter (10 May 2011). "Bette & Joan". Londontheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 10 November 2012.