Anna Kanakis (Greek: Άννα Κανάκη; 1 February 1962 – 19 November 2023) was an Italian actress, novelist, model and beauty pageant titleholder.
Anna Kanakis | |
|---|---|
 Kanakis in 'O Re (1989) | |
| Born | Anna Maria Kanakis 1 February 1962[1] Messina, Italy |
| Died | 19 November 2023 (aged 61) Rome, Italy |
| Height | 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) |
| Spouse(s) | Claudio Simonetti (1981–?) Marco Merati Foscarini (2004–2023) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Italia 1977 |
| Major competition(s) | Miss Italia 1977 (Winner) Miss World 1977 Miss Universe 1981 Miss Europe 1981 (2nd Runner-Up) |
Life and career
editBorn in Messina from a Greek father from Crete and a Sicilian mother, in 1977 Kanakis was Miss Italy at 15 years old, being the younger winner at the time.[1][2] In 1981, she entered the Miss Universe competition.[2] Kanakis worked in cinema as early as 1980, being mainly active in comedy films.[2] In later years, her career transitioned to television, where she had leading roles in series and TV-movies.[2][3]
Starting from You're So Mine When You Sleep, a 2010 novel about George Sand's life, Kanakis specialized in historical novels.[1][2] Her last work was Don't judge me ("Non giudicarmi"), a novel about the life events of Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen.[2][3]
Kanakis also had a brief political experience as national leader of Culture and Entertainment in the Democratic Union for the Republic.[1][2]
Personal life and death
editIn 1981, Kanakis married the composer Claudio Simonetti, but their marriage only lasted a few years.[2] From 2004, she was married to Marco Merati Foscarini, a descendant of Marco Foscarini, one of the last Doges of Venice.[2] Kanakis had no children.[1] She died of lymphoma on 19 November 2023, aged 61.[3][4]
Selected filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Attila flagello di Dio | Sirena | |
| 1983 | Acapulco, prima spiaggia... a sinistra | Marina | |
| 1983 | Occhio, malocchio, prezzemolo e finocchio | Customer | |
| 1983 | The New Barbarians | Alma | Italian film; released in the U.S. as Warriors of the Wasteland |
| 1983 | 2019, After the Fall of New York | Eurac Officer Ania | Italian film; original title 2019 - Dopo la caduta di New York |
| 1983 | Segni particolari: bellissimo | Rosalia | Credited as Anna Maria Kanakis |
| 1989 | 'O Re | The Brigand | |
| 1990 | The Miser | Elisa | |
| 1991 | Money | Anna Lupino | |
| 1991 | Reflections in a Dark Sky | Chim | |
| 1997 | Gli inaffidabili | Gena | |
| 2006 | The Final Inquiry | Claudia Procula | Italian film; original title L'inchiesta |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | A Season of Giants | Sister Ilaria | TV movie |
| 1991 | Young Catherine | Countess Vorontsova | TV mini-series |
| 1995 | La famiglia Ricordi | Maria | TV mini-series; 4 episodes |
| 1999 | Turn of the Century | Giulia Cairo | TV mini-series; original title Fine secolo; 5 episodes |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "La splendida Anna Kanakis, com'è oggi e cosa fa: età, altezza, peso, primo e secondo marito, figli". www.tuttivip.it (in Italian). Tutti VIP. 9 October 2021. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Addio ad Anna Kanakis, attrice e scrittrice, ex Miss Italia". ANSA (in Italian). 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ a b c "Morta Anna Kanakis. È stata Miss Italia a 15 anni, poi attrice e scrittrice". Vanity Fair Italia. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Romano, Alba (22 November 2024). "Gli ultimi mesi di Anna Kanakis prima della morte per il linfoma: «Ha lasciato tutti i suoi gioielli alla ricerca scientifica»". Open (in Italian). Retrieved 23 November 2024.
External links
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