Maria Rosaria Omaggio (Rome, 1954 – 2024) was one of the most versatile figures in Italian entertainment, successfully spanning cinema, television, theatre, and writing. Of Neapolitan descent, she rose to fame at a very young age participating in Canzonissima (1973-74), a springboard that turned her into a household name and a beauty icon (appearing on famous covers such as Playboy and Playmen). She made her big-screen debut in 1976 in the "poliziotteschi" (Italian crime-thriller) films Rome Armed to the Teeth and The Cop in Blue Jeans. Her filmography is rich and varied, featuring international collaborations and roles for directors such as Woody Allen (To Rome with Love). The pinnacle of her artistic maturity coincided with her portrayal of Oriana Fallaci in Andrzej Wajda's film Walesa: Man of Hope (2013). For this role, she received the Pasinetti Award at the Venice Film Festival and the Oriana Fallaci Prize, earned for her extraordinary resemblance to and intense portrayal of the journalist. On television, she starred in numerous successful dramas and series, from Edera and Caro maestro to international productions like the Spanish series La sonata del silencio. The theatre was a place of experimentation and celebration for her. She portrayed great female figures such as Eleonora Duse and Dido, bringing to the stage texts by prestigious authors including Goldoni, Seneca, García Márquez, and Italo Calvino. She also distinguished herself as a director and translator (notably for Golda's Balcony). Beyond her artistic career, Omaggio was deeply dedicated to humanitarian causes as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF Italy, creating initiatives such as "Theatre for UNICEF." Gifted with a profound spirituality and an interest in Eastern disciplines, she was also an expert instructor of Taijiquan. Passing away in Rome in June 2024, she was bid a fond farewell by the world of culture. According to her wishes, her ashes were scattered in the sea off Ostia, sealing an unbreakable bond with her land and her freedom.
