The world of Italian entertainment is mourning the loss of Angela Luce, a celebrated singer and actress whose career spanned decades and captivated audiences with her powerful voice and charismatic presence. Luce passed away this morning, , at the age of 87, following complications from heart and kidney issues, according to reports.
Born Angela Savino on , in Naples, Luce rose to prominence in the 1950s, debuting at the age of 14 at the “Piedigrotta Bideri” with the song “Zì Carmilì.” Her talent quickly caught the attention of leading figures in Italian theater, most notably Eduardo De Filippo, who invited her to participate in numerous productions. She remained with De Filippo for five years, until 1962.
Luce’s versatility extended beyond the stage. She appeared in over 80 films, collaborating with some of Italy’s most iconic directors, including Pier Paolo Pasolini (“The Decameron”), Mario Martone (“Troubling Love”), Luchino Visconti (“The Stranger”), and Pupi Avati (“The Second Wedding Night”). Her performances alongside legendary actors such as Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio Gassman, Nino Manfredi, Alberto Sordi, and Totò cemented her status as a beloved figure in Italian cinema. She won the David di Donatello for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Troubling Love” and the “Silver Mask” for “The Last Tarantella.”
While her acting career was substantial, Luce was perhaps best known for her singing. She recorded 14 albums and became synonymous with Neapolitan song, bringing “napoletanità” to a national audience. Among her most memorable recordings are “So’ Bammenella ‘e copp’ ‘e Quartiere,” “The Devil’s House,” and “Hypocrisy,” the latter of which earned her a second-place finish at the Sanremo Festival in 1975. Her rendition of “Bammenella” was particularly impactful, experiencing a resurgence in popularity after being featured in a production by Patroni Griffi and later, with a saxophone arrangement by Marco Zurzolo, being reimagined for a New York setting.
Luce’s talent was recognized by the highest levels of Italian government; she was received by Presidents Sandro Pertini and Oscar Luigi Scalfaro. She was a frequent collaborator with Mario Merola, both on stage and in film, and also worked with Nino Taranto and Eduardo’s brother, Peppino De Filippo, appearing in productions such as “A Coperchia è caduta una stella” and “Quale Onore!”
Despite her long and successful career, Luce remained a private individual. She never married or had children. She was known to have had significant relationships with singer Peppino Gagliardi and a man named Amedeo, who passed away in 1974.
News of Luce’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the Italian entertainment industry. The actress maintained a strong connection to her Neapolitan roots throughout her life, and her contributions to the preservation and celebration of Neapolitan culture will be long remembered. Her death marks the end of an era for the “cantaNapoli” tradition, as she was considered its last reigning queen.
Angela Pagano, a Neapolitan actress and sister of Marina Pagano, passed away on , at the age of 87. Pagano began her career singing with her father, a street musician, and debuted in 1958 in Eduardo De Filippo’s play ‘La fortuna con l’effe maiuscola.’ She also appeared in several of De Filippo’s television comedies, including ‘Ditegli sempre di sì’ and ‘Napoli milionaria.’ Her last film credit was Caracas by Marco D’Amore, released in 2024.
