Happy 70th Birthday Maria Grazia Buccella

Maria Grazia Buccella was born on August 15, 1940 in Milan, Italy. The former glamor girl and model was a finalist in the 1959 Miss Universe beauty contest. Maria had been seen onscreen since an uncredited role in 1951 “The Cape of Hope” at the age of 11. After her near win in the Miss Universe pageant she was offered roles in larger pictures and tested for the role of Domino Derval in the 1965 James Bond movie “Thunderball” which eventually went to Claudine Auger. In 1968 she won The Silver Ribbon Award for best supporting actress in “Ti ho sposato per allegria”. In 1977 she appeared on the cover of 'Playboy' magazine before retiring from the screen in 1979 after 45+ films. She reappeared in two small roles in the 1980s before her final appearance in “Hotel Otello” in 2000. Among her films were two Euro-westerns “Villa Rides!” in 1968 and the pseudo western “Trinity Sees Red” in 1970. Today we celebrate the 70th birthday of Maria Grazia Buccella.