Actress Claudia Cardinale, Known for '8½' and 'The Leopard,' Passes Away at 87

Claudia Cardinale, an acclaimed Italian actress known for her roles in European films from the 1960s and 1970s, passed away at the age of 87, as reported by AFP on Tuesday.

Cardinale appeared in over 100 films and television productions, gaining recognition for her performances in movies like "8½" alongside Marcello Mastroianni in 1963, "The Leopard" in the same year, and "Once Upon a Time in the West" in 1968.

She died in Nemours, France, surrounded by her children, according to her agent Laurent Savry. The Associated Press attempted to reach out for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Born in Tunisia to Sicilian parents, Cardinale began her acting career at 17 after winning a beauty contest. She rose to fame after catching the eye of the Italian film industry at the Venice Film Festival.

Despite initially not planning to pursue acting and considering a career as a school teacher, Cardinale reflected on her unexpected journey in the film industry while accepting a lifetime achievement award in 2002.

She was often compared to Brigitte Bardot and gained international recognition, working with renowned directors in Europe and Hollywood.

Cardinale's Hollywood endeavors included films like "Blindfold" with Rock Hudson in 1965 and "Don’t Make Waves" with Tony Curtis in 1967. She considered "The Professionals" in 1966 as her best Hollywood work, starring alongside Burt Lancaster, Jack Palance, Robert Ryan, and Lee Marvin.

In 2000, Cardinale was appointed a goodwill ambassador for the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to advocate for women's rights. She had two children, one with her former husband Franco Cristaldi and another with her later partner, Italian director Pasquale Squitieri.