Paola Montenero
Details
Alternate Names: Paola Rubens
Physical Characteristics: N/A
Full Biography
Born in Rome on March 13, 1951, Paola Montenero was an Italian actress whose career became a notable fixture of 1970s and 80s exploitation and cult cinema. She first rose to prominence with a role in Mario Bava’s 1971 horror classic A Bay of Blood (credited as Paola Rubens), where her performance in an atmospheric and intense narrative set the stage for a career defined by bold choices.
Throughout the 1970s, Montenero became a familiar face in the Italian underground scene, often appearing in provocative dramas and erotic films. One of her most significant works came in 1977 with Alberto Cavallone's L'uomo, la donna e la bestia (also known as Spell – Dolce mattatoio), in which she portrayed the character Luciana. Her filmography also included appearances in Emanuelle and Joanna (1979) and The True Story of the Nun of Monza (1980).
Beyond her acting roles, her striking features led to modeling work, including a feature in Playboy Italia in 1978. She was married to filmmaker Massimo Pirri, with whom she shared a creative partnership until his death in 2001. In her later years, Montenero lived a quieter life in Padua, where she passed away on October 25, 2016, at the age of 65.
