Talia Shire (born April 25, 1946), is a two-time Academy-Award nominated American actress. Her name is in honor of her ancestral country (Italy).
Born Talia Rose Coppola in Lake Success, New York; she is the sister of director and producer Francis Ford Coppola and the niece of composer and conductor Anton Coppola. She was married to composer David Shire, with whom she had a son, Matthew Orlando Shire. She has two other sons, actors/musicians Jason Schwartzman and Robert Carmine, from her second marriage to the late producer Jack Schwartzman.
Shire first became famous for her role of Connie Corleone in The Godfather and its sequels. Later she portrayed Adrian Pennino (named afrer Francesco Pennino, Shire's grandfather) the plain looking girlfriend, and later wife, of boxer Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone) in the Rocky movies before Adrian's death. Shire appears in the final "Rocky" film, Rocky Balboa, via flashbacks to scenes from earlier films.
She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Godfather, Part II and for the Best Actress in a Leading Role for Rocky.
She also appeared as the Geico caveman's therapist in television ads.
Sister of Francis Ford Coppola.
Takes name from a previous marriage to composer David Shire.
Daughter of composer Carmine Coppola and Italia Coppola.
Aunt of Marc Coppola, Christopher Coppola (I), Nicolas Cage, Sofia Coppola and Roman Coppola
Mother of Jason Schwartzman and Robert Schwartzman.
Stepmother of John Schwartzman (I) and Stephanie Schwartzman (I).
Is in many movies with Rocky co-star Burt Young and the two are good friends.
Is Italian/American.
Children: Matthew Orlando Shire (b. 1975), Jason Francesco (b. 1980) and Robert Carmine (b. 1982).
Is the only person to be directed to an Oscar-nomination by a sibling. Her brother Francis Ford Coppola directed her in Godfather: Part II, The (1974).
Like her character Connie Corleone in the Godfather saga, she too is the youngest member of her family and the only daughter.
Her two most famous characters, Connie Corleone and Adrian Balboa, changed drastically during their respected franchises ("The Godfather" and "Rocky"). In "The Godfather" saga, her character Connie went from being an innocent, dutiful wife who suffered from abuse to being a strong willed, powerful woman who took an active part in the family business and championed nephew Vincent to become Don. In the "Rocky" franchise, her character Adrian went from being a shy, timid, quiet girl to being a strong woman who often gave her husband the support and extra strength he needed to go the distance and overcome his opponents.
Granddaughter of Francesco Pennino. Her character in Rocky (1976), Adrian Pennino, was named after him.
