Remembering Raf Vallone

Raffaele 'Raf' Vallone was born the son of a lawayer in Tropea, Italy on Febraury 17, 1916. Vallone attended Liceo classico Cavour in Turin and studied Law and Philosophy at the University of Turin. He then worked at his fathers law firm. He played professional soccer in Series A for Turin which won the Italian Cup during the 1935-1936 season. He then became the editorial head of cultural section of L’Unita the official newspaper of the Italian Communist Party while also a film a drama critic for La Stampa a Turin newspaper. During World War II he served with the Communist resistance.

Raf’s first film appearance was in “We The Living” (1942) as a sailor. He was then cast as a soldier in “Riso Amaro” (aka “Bitter Rice”) (1949). This launched him into an International career. Vallone was married to actress Elena Varzi [1920- ] from 1952 until his death. They had three children among which two Eleonora Vallone [1953- ] and Saverio are actors. Raf Vallone appeared in one Euro-western “Cannon for Cordoba” (1970). Raf died on October 31, 2002. Today we celebrate what would have his 95th birthday.