“Sora Lella”, whose real name is Elena Fabbrizi, was an Italian actress, a symbol of genuine, straightforward, typically Roman comedy. She was born in Rome on June 17th 1915.

Before her film career, she devoted herself to working as a restaurateur, and only around the age of forty did she take her first steps into the world of the silver screen, following in the footsteps of her brother Aldo, acting with big names such as Totò, Vittorio Gassman, Marcello Mastroianni, Mario Monicelli and others.

The real success, however, came around the 1980s, when it was strongly desired by Carlo Verdone in several of his films. Under her direction, she won a Silver Ribbon as ‘Best Newcomer Actress’ in 1981, for the film Bianco, rosso e verdone, and, in 1984, also the David di Donatello as ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for the film Acqua e Sapone.

She died in Rome on August 9th 1993.

You can consult the birth certificate on the Ancestors Portal: Archivio di Stato di Roma > Stato civile italiano > Roma > 1915

The original is kept at the State Archives of Rome.