Arcangela Felice Assunta Wertmuller von Elgg Espanol von Braueich
Birth Place:
Rome, Italy
Profession
Director, screenwriter
Fast Facts
Was expelled from multiple Catholic schools
Worked with a traveling puppet show following theater school
Met actor Giancarlo Giannini early in her theater career and cast him in many of her films, including '70s standouts The Seduction of Mimi, Love and Anarchy, Swept Away and Seven Beauties
Was the first female nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director (1975's Seven Beauties)
Was portrayed twice on Saturday Night Live by Laraine Newman
Set a Guinness World Record for longest film title with the 179-character Italian title for 1978's Blood Feud (or Revenge)
Regrets granting Madonna the film rights to Swept Away after the poorly received 2002 remake, directed by Guy Ritchie
Awards
1976Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing:nominated
1976Oscar-Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen--based on factual material or on story material not previously published or produced):nominated
1976Directors Guild of America Awards-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film:nominated