Monica Bellucci first attracted attention in the U.S. with her sizzling performance as Malèna, the beautiful young widow who turns an entire town upside down in the Giuseppe Tornatore's "MalènaBellucci, however, has long been a major star in Europe, known for both her beauty and her depth as an actress. She had also had a successful modeling career while still a student at the University of Perugia.
In , Dino Risis gave Bellucci a leading role in the Italian television series "Life Without Sons" launching her career. She made her feature film debut in Francesco Laudadio's "La Riffa" in . She won the Cesar award in France for her performance in theFrench thriller "The Apartment

From the beginning, Bellucci attracted international attention. Francis For Coppola cast her in "DraculaOther credits include "Under Suspicion Brotherhood of the Wolf"Tears of the Sun"Irreversible"The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Passion of the Christ

Bellucci will also be seen in the upcoming films "The Brothers Grimm" and "She Hate Me