Isa Barzizza
Isa Barzizza was an Italian actress whose career spanned over 60 years.
Life and career
Early life
Born in Sanremo, Barzizza was the daughter of the conductor and composer Pippo Barzizza. She started working in amateur dramatics at very young age, and she made her professional debut while still being a high school student, notably working with the stage companies led by Ruggero Ruggeri, Elsa Merlini and by the brothers Eduardo, Peppino and Titina De Filippo.
Breakout and success
Barzizza had her breakout in 1946, when during a visit to her father she was noted by Erminio Macario who chose her for the revue Follie d'Amleto. In a few years she established herself as a star in the revue genre, working several times with Macario, Totò and Wanda Osiris. Following her stage success, Barzizza also started a busy film career in the comedic genre, often teaming with Totò. In 1955, she starred in Valentina, which is considered the first genuine stage musical comedy produced in Italy.
Marriage and semi-retirement
In 1953 Barzizza married the screenwriter and director Carlo Alberto Chiesa, and following the birth of their daughter Carlotta she retired from showbusiness. In 1960 the couple were involved in a car accident and Chiesa died shortly after under the knife. Widowed, Barzizza ran a company of dubbing and production of television series. Starting from the mid-1970s she made sporadic appearances in films and on television.
Death
Barzizza died on 28 May 2023, at the age of 93.
Selected filmography
The Two Orphans - MatildeDove sta Zaza? - ZazàFear and Sand - Patricia CottenToto Tours Italy - DorianaThe Firemen of Viggiù - Toto's conquestAdam and Eve - Eva BianchiI'm in the Revue - Cleo - la kleptomaneThe Merry Widower - LucyThe Elusive Twelve - TeresaFigaro Here, Figaro There - RosinaBluebeard's Six Wives - Lana RossMilano miliardaria - Vittorio PizzigoniSeven Hours of Trouble - AmeliaThe Reluctant Magician - PerlaEra lui... sì! sì! - GraziaPorca miseria - Jenny SoleriToto in Color - La signora del vagone-lettoFive Paupers in an Automobile - CicciWe're Dancing on the Rainbow - JeannettePrimo premio: Mariarosa Beauties on Motor Scooters - LauraGioventù alla sbarra - Florence, la canzonettistaSiamo tutti inquilini - Collega di AnnaIt's Never Too Late - Rosanna GennariThe Daughter of the Regiment - KikiNeapolitan Turk - GiuliettaViva la rivista! Canzoni a due voci - La fidanzata del baritonoGran Varietà Appassionatamente - Ortensia DupréToto Seeks Peace - Cousin Nella CaporaliCartouche - LucillaUn palco all'opera I pinguini ci guardano We All Loved Each Other So Much - ElenaGarofano rosso Il momento dell'avventura - Antonia BelliFiori di zucca - CleliaGrazie al cielo c'è Totò 80 mq - Ottantametriquadri - Mamma di Raffaele Ardena - LeaAsini - Italo's motherSeven Kilometers from Jerusalem - Elvira MarenghiUna sconfinata giovinezza Maledimiele - NonnaViva l'Italia - MarisaMia Studio illegale - Zia EmmaGuess Who's Coming for Christmas? - Emma