No.10 Elisabetta Canalis
How hot does a woman have to be to entice George Clooney to leave a glorious life of jet-setting his way through country after country of beautiful women? Meet Elisabetta Canalis. The Italian model and actress played minor parts in Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo and Virgin Territory before landing a gig as the cohost of the Italian version of MTV’s Total Request Live. The 31 year old is also the face of the new Roberto Cavalli ad campaign for the Spring 2010 underwear collection.
No.9 Caterina Murino
Born in Sardinia, Caterina Murino is known for her classic Italian looks -- not to mention her raw sex appeal. She launched her big-screen career with the 2001 film Viva Las Nowhere, starring Daniel Stern and James Caan. However, American audiences will recognize her more for her role as the sultry Solange in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale with Daniel Craig. Many will argue that the scene of Murino riding atop a white horse in her bikini will go down as one of the most iconic images of the Bond franchise.
No.8 Asia Argento
Having started her acting career at the age of 9, Asia Argento grew up in front of the camera. She even had her first nude scene at the age of 18 in the film Trauma. But what separates Asia from the rest of the women on this list is her dark and mysterious side. The sultry model and actress has several tattoos, including a large angel below her navel, an eye on her shoulder and the name “Anna” on her side in honor of her sister who died in a motorcycle accident. The 34 year old has also stated that she has suffered bouts of agoraphobia, which prevented her from leaving her apartment for months.
No.7 Maria Grazia Cucinotta
For the past 20 years Maria Grazia Cucinotta has starred in many Italian TV shows and films, including the internationally acclaimed Il postino (The Postman) -- but her American pop culture roots also run very deep. She’s perhaps best-known to us as the voluptuous vixen in the 1999 James Bond flick The World is Not Enough with Pierce Brosnan. You may also recognize her for her brief guest stint as Isabella, the love interest of Tony Soprano in the HBO hit show The Sopranos. And for fans of The Simpsons: She voiced Sideshow Bob’s wife, Francesca.
No.6 Carla Bruni
Before she married French President Nicolas Sarkozy, this Italian-born beauty dated some of the most famous men in the world, including rock gods Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger -- not to mention billionaire Donald Trump. During the 1990s, the former model made a name for herself on the runways of Paris, Milan and New York before leaving the fashion industry in ’97 to pursue her music career. But fashion, fame and rock ‘n’ roll weren’t enough for this stunner. As Carla Bruni once told a friend: “I want a man with nuclear power.” She got her wish when, after only three months of dating Sarkozy, she became the First Lady of France in February 2008.
No.5 Claudia Cardinale
Born in Tunisia to Italian parents, Claudia Cardinale’s 50-year acting career consists of some of the most acclaimed European films of her time. Her major Hollywood credits include The Pink Panther with Peter Sellers, Circus World with John Wayne, Blindfold with Rock Hudson and The Professionals with Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster. A photo of Cardinale even appeared in the gatefold of Bob Dylan’s iconic Blonde on Blonde album in 1966 but was removed in later pressings since it was used without the actresses’ consent. Cardinale was so highly thought of that icon Brigitte Bardot once famously remarked: "I already know who's destined to take my place. There can be only one, and one alone. After BB comes CC, no?"
No.4 Anita Pallenberg
Born in Rome to an Italian artist and German secretary, Anita Pallenberg has enjoyed successful careers as a model, actress and fashion designer. But this influential beauty will forever be remembered as the driving force behind the Rolling Stones during their formative years. Pallenberg began dating Stones’ cofounder Brian Jones in 1965 but left him in 1967 for legendary guitarist Keith Richards with whom she maintained a relationship until 1979. During her time with the Stones, Pallenberg helped form the band’s bad-boy image -- and even gained Mick Jagger’s respect with her artistic criticism of certain songs, particularly on the Beggars Banquet album.
No.3 Isabella Rossellini
Daughter of screen legend Ingrid Bergman and film director Roberto Rossellini, it was only natural that Isabella Rossellini would follow in the same cinematic footsteps as her parents. The Italian-born beauty appeared in such films as Blue Velvet, Death Becomes Her and Fearless with Jeff Bridges, as well as a recurring role in the hit TV show Alias. Her latest project, Green Porno, is a series of short films that focus on the mating habits of animals -- all this on top of a lengthy modeling career that included a 14-year stint as the face of Lancome. Rossellini also has a lengthy career in the love department, including relationships with directors David Lynch, Martin Scorsese and actor Gary Oldman.
No.2 Monica Bellucci
Perhaps no other Italian woman has garnered more attention in the past 15 years than Monica Bellucci. The actress and fashion model has been the face of such brand behemoths as Dolce & Gabbana and Dior Cosmetics. But her career hasn’t been limited to just runways and magazines -- this Mediterranean beauty also appeared in numerous films, including Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Matrix Reloaded, The Passion of the Christ, and The Brothers Grimm. In 2004, the saucy Bellucci made headlines for posing nude while pregnant with her daughter in the Italian edition of Vanity Fair.
No.1 Sophia Loren
Decade after decade, men have asked the question: Who is the hottest Italian woman of all-time? And the answer remains the same: the irresistible Sophia Loren. From her seductive Italian accent to her curvaceous body, this drop-dead beauty oozes with a sexuality that sends men to their knees. The iconic image of her in black thigh-highs and bustier in 1960’s The Millionairess has been the embodiment of male fantasies for 50 years. Not just a pretty face, Loren became the first actress to win an Academy Award for a non-English-speaking performance for her role in 1961’s Two Women. She also went on to grab 49 international film awards through her illustrious career.
