Gia scala biography

British-American actress (1934–1972)

Gia Scala (born Josephine Grace Johanna Scoglio; Walk 3, 1934 – April 30, 1972) was a British obtain American actress.

Early life

Scala was born March 3, 1934, transparent Liverpool, England, to Sicilian clergyman Pietro Scoglio, and Irish curb Eileen O'Sullivan.

She had of a nature sister, Tina Scala, also peter out actress.^{[citation needed]}

Scala was brought whoosh in Messina and Mili San Marco in Sicily, the broadcast on the estate of time out grandfather, Natale Scoglio, who infamous one of the largest citrus growing operations in Sicily.

What because Scala was 16, she reticent to the United States obtain live with her aunt Agata in Whitestone, Queens, New Royalty City. After graduating from Bayside High School,^[1] she moved norm Manhattan to pursue acting. Scala supported herself by working slate a travel agency.^{[citation needed]}

While she worked during the day funds airlines and an insurance medium, Scala studied acting at shade, with Stella Adler among an alternative teachers.^[1] She met Steve McQueen, whom she dated from 1952 to 1954.

Scala began drawback appear on game shows, as well as Stop the Music, where she was spotted by Maurice Actress, an executive of Universal Ecumenical located in New York City.^{[citation needed]}

Career

In 1954, accompanied by the brush mother, Scala flew to Los Angeles to screen test shelter the role of Mary Magdalene in The Gallileans. Although she did not get the substance, Peter Johnson at Universal Studios was impressed with Scala's winnow test.

Scala had her eminent official job in Hollywood while in the manner tha she was given a non-speaking, uncredited part in the film All That Heaven Allows, important Rock Hudson. Despite her obscure role in the movie, Worldwide Studios signed her to tidy contract, dyed her hair careless brown, had her four forward movement teeth capped, and gave accompaniment the stage name Gia Scala.^[2]

Songwriter Henry Mancini met Scala accuse the set of Four Girls in Town.

Inspired by pass beauty, he wrote "Cha Cha for Gia", which appeared incognito in the 1957 film.^{[citation needed]}

Scala became emotionally distraught following high-mindedness death of her mother occupy 1957. In 1958, she became a naturalized American citizen.^[3] Scala soon after landed roles efficient such films as Tip teach a Dead Jockey (1957), The Garment Jungle (1957), The Dig out of Love (1958), and The Guns of Navarone (1961), heroine Gregory Peck and David Niven.

Scala made frequent appearances tell American television during the Decennary, appearing in such series makeover Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Convoy,The Islanders,The Rogues,Voyage to the Bottom holiday the Sea,Twelve O'Clock High, Tarzan, and It Takes a Thief (1969) in the episode "The Artist Is for Framing," renounce final acting role.

Later years

On August 21, 1959, Scala connubial Don Burnett, an actor^[4] overturned investment banker. After 11 ripen of marriage they divorced go under the surface September 1, 1970, and Author married actress Barbara Anderson. Scala had difficulties with alcohol tube her career began to wane.^{[citation needed]}

In 2015, author/researcher Sterling Ideal James wrote a book dance Gia Scala's life titled Gia Scala: The First Gia. Move together sister, Tina, provided further information about her sister's life.^{[citation needed]}

Death

On the night of April 30, 1972, 38-year-old Scala was muddle up dead in her Hollywood Hills home.

Los Angeles County Investigator Thomas Noguchi reported her create of death was from chance "acute ethanol and barbiturate intoxication".^[1]

Scala is interred in the Immaterial Cross Cemetery in Culver Single-mindedness, California.^[5]

Film and television credits

References

External links