Lelia Goldoni

Lelia Vita Goldoni (nee Rizzuto; October 1, 1936—July 22, 2023) was an American actress highly acknowledged for her co-starring role in John Cassavetes's pioneering independent movie Shadows (1959). Hailing from a family deeply rooted in the acting industry, Goldoni's life was filled with fascinating personal and career highlights. Early on, her talent was apparent, receiving unaccredited cameos in Joseph L. Mankiewicz's House of Strangers (1949) and John Huston's We Were Strangers (1949). After moving back to New York, her encounter with John Cassavetes at an acting workshop set the stage for her successful acting career. Her impeccable performance in Shadows (1959) earned her a BAFTA Award nomination and critical acclaim. Besides her film career, Goldoni also committed herself to teaching acting, offering her expertise at esteemed institutions like the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, UCLA, and Hampshire College.

Goldoni's career extended over several decades, with more notable appearances such as the British TV series Danger Man (1964), the horror film Hysteria (1965), and an outstanding portrayal in Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), which marked her second BAFTA Award nomination. She continued showcasing her acting range through the 1970s, featuring in various genre of films, including the historical drama The Day of the Locust (1975), horror Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), and coming-of-age film Bloodbrothers (1978). In 2010, she graced the screen in the drama movie Chain Link, and her final performance was in the horror movie The Devil Inside in 2012. Sadly, Goldoni's life came to an end on July 22, 2023, when she died at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, New Jersey, at the age of 86.