Veronica Lazăr

Veronica Lazăr (October 6, 1938 – June 8, 2014) was a distinguished Romanian-born actress who made a significant impact on Italian cinema. Born in Bucharest, she graduated from the Caragiale Academy of Theatrical Arts and Cinematography, where she also earned a degree in psychology, practicing until 1994, primarily focusing on couples therapy. In 1965, she fled Romania to escape the oppressive communist regime and relocated to Italy, where she quickly mastered the Italian language. Originally planning to move to the United States or Israel, she fell in love with Rome and eventually married Italian actor Adolfo Celi. Together, they had two children: director Leonardo Celi and actress Alessandra Celi.

Lazăr made her film debut in Bernardo Bertolucci's acclaimed "Last Tango in Paris" (1972) and appeared in several of his subsequent works, including "La Luna" (1979) and "The Sheltering Sky" (1990). She gained international recognition for her portrayals of the sinister Mater Tenebrarum in Dario Argento's "Inferno" (1980) and the tragic Martha in Lucio Fulci's "The Beyond" (1981). Her rich filmography also includes significant roles in "Identification of a Woman" (1982) and "Ginostra" (2002).

Beyond her acting career, Lazăr served as a cultural ambassador between Romanian and Italian cinema, and she was the president of the Itaro Art Foundation. Additionally, she coordinated a hospital project in Mali and was beloved by her acting students at Teatro Valle, earning the affectionate nickname "Nonna Veronica." A lover of life, she enjoyed sharing meals with friends and had a deep connection to the sea. At her funeral, she wished for her niece to play the theme from "Schindler's List," a poignant tribute to her legacy.