Isabella Fiorella Elettra Giovanna Rossellini was born on June 18, 1952 in Rome, Italy. She is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist, and model.

Rossellini made her cinematic debut in 1979 in Paolo and Vittorio Taviani's Il Prato. Her American film debut was opposite Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines in Taylor Hackford's White Knights. In 1986, she starred opposite Dennis Hopper as Dorothy Vallens, the tortured lounge singer, in David Lynch's haunting and controversial Blue Velvet.

She starred in The Feast of the Goat, Luis Llosa's screen adaptation of Mario Vargas Llosa's novel. In 2003, Rossellini starred in Guy Maddin's The Saddest Music In the World, an eccentric tale about a Depression-era contest to find the world's saddest music. She also starred in Dylan Kidd's critically acclaimed film, Roger Dodger opposite Campbell Scott. The previous year, she appeared in Empire, alongside John Leguizamo and Peter Sarsgaard.

Her other film credits include Cousins, Zelly and Me, Wild at Heart, Death Becomes Her, Fearless, Wyatt Earp, Big Night, The Imposters and The Funeral, The Architect and Infamous.

Isabella Rossellini has a daughter and an adopted son.

Filmography

• My Dog Tulip (2008)
• The Accidental Husband (2008)
• "30 Rock" (2 episodes, 2007)
• Brand Upon the Brain! (2006)
• Infamous (2006)
• The Architect (2006)
• Filthy Gorgeous (2006)
• Fiesta del chivo, La (2005)
• "Alias" (5 episodes, 2004-2005)
• Earthsea (2004)
• Heights (2004)
• King of the Corner (2004)
• The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 2: Vaux to the Sea (2004)
• The Saddest Music in the World (2003)
• The Tulse Luper Suitcases, Part 1: The Moab Story (2003)
• Monte Walsh (2003)
• "Napoléon" (2002)
• Roger Dodger (2002)
• Empire (2002)
• Cielo cade, Il (2000)
• Don Quixote (2000)
• "The Simpsons" (1 episode, 1999)
• The Impostors (1998)
• Merlin (1998) (TV)
• Left Luggage (1998)
• The Odyssey (1997)
• "Chicago Hope" (2 episodes, 1997)
• Crime of the Century (1996)
• The Funeral (1996)
• Big Night (1996)
• Goosebumps: Escape from Horrorland (1996)
• "Tales from the Crypt" (1 episode, 1995)
• Croce e delizia (1995)
• Immortal Beloved (1994)
• The Gift (1994)
• Wyatt Earp (1994)
• Fearless (1993)
• The Innocent (1993)
• "Fallen Angels" (1 episode, 1993)
• The Pickle (1993)
• Death Becomes Her (1992)
• Lies of the Twins (1991)
• Caccia alla vedova (1991)
• Dames galantes (1990)
• Ivory Hunters (1990)
• Wild at Heart (1990)
• "The Tracey Ullman Show" (3 episodes, 1989-1990)
• Red Riding Hood (1989)
• Cousins (1989)
• Zelly and Me (1988)
• Siesta (1987)
• Tough Guys Don't Dance (1987)
• Oci ciornie (1987)
• Blue Velvet (1986)
• White Nights (1985)
• Pap'occhio, Il (1980)
• Prato, Il (1979)
• A Matter of Time (1976)

Awards

• Berlin Film Festival Honorable Mention Award Performance "Left Luggage" 1998
• George Eastman Award 1997
• Independent Spirit Award Best Actress "Blue Velvet" 1986