Virna Lisi, Italian cinema icon, dies at 78

Virna Lisi, the Italian actress known for her intense and graceful screen presence, died in her sleep at age 78 after a brief battle with cancer. She had been diagnosed only weeks earlier. Her husband Franco Pesci died in 2013, a loss that deeply affected her. Lisi's career spanned decades, from Hollywood to Italian cinema, with roles in films by directors such as Liliana Cavani, Patrice Chéreau, and Cristina Comencini. She won the Palme d'Or at Cannes for her role as Catherine de' Medici in 'La Reine Margot' and a David di Donatello for 'La Cicala'. Known for her versatility, she also starred in television fiction. Her last film, 'Latin Lover', directed by Cristina Comencini, was set for release in March 2015. Lisi was celebrated for her natural talent, refusing plastic surgery, and her dedication to her craft, as she once said: 'I have enormous respect for the public. I study my character to the point of exhaustion, and I give everything of myself.'