March Mystery Italian

You know the story: Names were changed at Ellis Island. But not all were changed there, but they were changed. We’ve discovered a number of people you know who are Italian or Italian-American. So we want you to guess the identity of the “Italian of the month.” Buona fortuna!

Born in Granada Hills, California to Michael Ciminella, Jr. and her famous mom, our mystery bellina attended 13 different schools before she got to college. While at college she majored in French and was nominated Phi Beta Kappa, but did not graduate with her class. She gave up her original plan to go into the Peace Corps, and learned acting under Robert Carnegie. She even tried some modeling in Japan. Her big break was her role in the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Award winning Ruby in Paradise by Robert Nunez.  She appeared in a number of thrillers and received a Golden Globe nomination for her role opposite Kevin Kline in the Cole Porter biography, De-Lovely. In 2007, she was surprised by Ellen Degeneres with her UK degree which she apparently only needed to sign a paper for because actually had enough credits to graduate. She is married to Scottish race car driver Dario Franchetti. Do you know who our mystery bellina is?

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December’s Answer: Hulk Hogan

November’s Answer: Kelly Ripa

October’s Answer: Penny Marshall

September’s Answer: Fred Couples

August’s Answer: Elizabeth Hasselbeck

July’s Answer: Nicholas Cage