Birth Name: Francesca Romana Rivelli
Birth Date: 1955-03-09
Birth Place: Rome, Lazio, Italy
Details
Alternate Names: Francesca Romana Rivelli, Орнелла Мути, اورنلا موتی
Physical Characteristics: N/A
Career
First Appearances: - The Most Beautiful Wife (1970) as Francesca Cimarosa
Most Important Roles: - The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 3: From Sark to the Finish (2004) as Mathilde Figura
- The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 2: Vaux to the Sea (2004) as Mathilde Figura
- Flash Gordon (1980) as Princess Aura
- Esther (1999) as Königin Waschti
- The Last Woman (1976) as Valérie
- The Taming of the Scoundrel (1980) as Lisa Silvestri
- Say I Do (2004) as Francesca, la dircetora
- Famous T & A (1982) as Lisa (archive footage)
- Madly in Love (1981) as Principessa Cristina
- On the Run (2003) as Cécile Costes
Career Highlights: - The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 3: From Sark to the Finish (2004)
- The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 2: Vaux to the Sea (2004)
- Flash Gordon (1980)
- Esther (1999)
- The Last Woman (1976)
- The Taming of the Scoundrel (1980)
- Say I Do (2004)
- Famous T & A (1982)
- Madly in Love (1981)
- On the Run (2003)
Awards
Awards: - Won Actor's Mission Award (2002)
- Won Special David (2025)
- Nominated for 1 David - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) (1989)
- Nominated for 1 David - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) (1988)
- Nominated for 1 David - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) (1982)
- Won Golden Plate (1976)
- Nominated for 1 European Film Award - Best Actress (1988)
- Nominated for 1 Silver Ribbon - Best Supporting Actress (Migliore Attrice Non Protagonista) (2001)
- Nominated for 1 Silver Ribbon - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) (1990)
- Won Silver Ribbon - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) (1989)
- Won Silver Ribbon - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) (1988)
- Nominated for 1 Silver Ribbon - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice Protagonista) (1977)
- Won Taormina Arte Award (2003)
- Won Pasinetti Award - Best Actress (1988)
- Won Capri Global Award (2006)
- Won Career Golden Globe (2007)
- Won Golden Globe - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice) (1988)
- Won Golden Globe - Best Actress (Migliore Attrice) (1983)
- Nominated for 1 Jupiter Award - Best International Actress (1984)
- Won Jupiter Award - Best International Actress (1983)
Full Biography
Ornella Muti was born as Francesca Romana Rivelli on March 9, 1955, in Rome, Italy. Born to a Neapolitan father and an Estonian mother, she began her career as a child model before making her film debut at the age of 14 in The Most Beautiful Wife (1970).
Throughout the 1970s and 80s, she became one of Europe’s most celebrated actresses and a major sex symbol, known globally for her striking green eyes and elegance. While she maintained a prolific career in Italian cinema working with directors like Marco Ferreri and Dino Risi, she also achieved international fame. Her most recognizable English-language role remains the iconic Princess Aura in the 1980 cult classic Flash Gordon. She later appeared in Hollywood productions such as Oscar (1991) with Sylvester Stallone.
In recent years, she has remained a prominent figure in the arts, appearing at major events like the 2024 Torino Film Festival and receiving the prestigious Special David di Donatello Award in 2025 for her lifelong contribution to cinema. Fluent in Italian, French, and English, she continues to be celebrated as a timeless icon of the silver screen.
