Laura Betti (May 1, 1927 - July 31, 2004) was an Italian actress.
Born Laura Trombetti in Bologna, this blonde and flamboyant actress started her career as jazz singer. Betti made her film debut in Federico Fellini's La dolce vita. In 1963 she became a close friend of the poet and movie director Pier Paolo Pasolini, for whom she made a documentary after his death. Under Pasolini's direction she proved a wonderful talent, in many films like La ricotta (1963) and Teorema (Theorem, 1968). In 1976 she portrayed a cruel and eroto-maniacal fascist in Novecento (1900), directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. Since the 1960s she dedicated much of her times to literature and politics. She became the muse for a number of leading political and literary figures in Italy and came to personify the revolutionary and marxist era of 1970s Italy.
Started her career as a jazz singer before her acting debut in Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" in 1960.
Was remembered particularly for her long friendship with director Pier Paolo Pasolini; after his death, she dedicated herself to preserving his memory and life's work, including poetry and a well-received documentary about him.
