Movie Star Mystery Photo


2009_0223_mystery_photo
Photograph by Frank O. Brown / Los Angeles Times

Just a reminder on how this works: I post the mystery photo on Monday and reveal the answer on Friday. To keep the mystery photo from getting lost in the other entries, I move it from Monday to Tuesday to Wednesday, etc., adding a photo every day. I have to approve all comments, so if you’re wrong your guess will be posted. If you’re right, you’ll have to wait until Friday. There’s no need to submit your guess five times. Once is enough. The only prize is bragging rights. 

Update: This is Pier Angeli at the age of 18 after receiving court approval for a movie contract in a photo published July 20, 1951.

2009_0224_mystery_photo
Los Angeles Times file photo

Many people have recognized our mystery woman, above. Alexa Foreman was first, followed by William, Zabadu, Claire Lockhart, Jany, Gregory Moore, Nathan Marsak, Allison Berntsen, Dru Duniway, Eve Golden and John Marshall. Congrats!

Update: This is Pier Angeli with Kirk Douglas at Hostaria dell’Orso in Rome in a picture stamped June 23, 1953. Caption information says he grew a beard for the film "Ulysses."

2009_0225_mystery_photo
Los Angeles Times file photo
Here’s another photo of our mystery woman with her mystery companion.

She has been correctly identified by: Gerald McCann, Gary Martin, Pamela Porter, Pat, Carmen, Rozchuk, Lou Zogby, Carolyn Crowe, Roslyn Kutchuk, Angus, "Laura" fan Waldo Lydecker, crime buddy Kim Cooper, Jeff Hanna, Nancy, LC, Mike, Rhodora Montelongo and Chris. Congrats!

Update: Pier Angeli with Vic Damone in a photo published Oct. 5, 1954.

2009_0226_mystery_photo

Photograph by Bob Potwin /
Los Angeles Times
Here’s another photo of our mystery woman… what a transformation!

Too many people have recognized her to list everybody’s name here. If I haven’t posted your comment, that means you’re right (or said something off-color; that means you, Charter Net subscriber "Homer Simpson" from Dallas, ISP 71.11.216.29).

Update: Pier Angeli in court during her divorce from Vic Damone, Dec. 18, 1958.

 
1971_0912_pier_angeli
1971_0911_pier_angeli
Our mystery woman, as most people guessed, is Pier Angeli, who died at the age of 39 in September 1971. The Times said 200 people attended her Requiem Mass at Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills before she was buried in Paris. 
2009_0227_mystery_photo

Photograph by Ben Olender / Los Angeles Times

Arriving for Pier Angeli’s funeral Mass, Sept. 13, 1971, from left, her twin sister, Marisa Pavan; son, Perry Damone; mother, Enrica Pierangeli; drama coach Helena Sorrell; and former husband Vic Damone. The Times noted that Kirk Douglas and his wife; Mrs. Louis Jourdan and "lesser known Hollywood people" attended.

Check back next week for another mystery photo!

Unknown's avatar

About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
This entry was posted in Film, Hollywood, Mystery Photo. Bookmark the permalink.

146 Responses to Movie Star Mystery Photo

  1. william's avatar william says:

    pier angeli

    Like

  2. Unknown's avatar zabadu says:

    I think the time period may be too early but…Pier Angeli?

    Like

  3. Claire Lockhart's avatar Claire Lockhart says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  4. jany's avatar jany says:

    PIER ANGELI

    Like

  5. Arye Michael Bender's avatar Arye Michael Bender says:

    Could be a pre-stardom Carol Burnett.

    Like

  6. Gregory Moore's avatar Gregory Moore says:

    Pier Angeli?

    Like

  7. Nathan's avatar Nathan says:

    Pier Angeli?

    Like

  8. Allison Berntsen's avatar Allison Berntsen says:

    Pier Angeli?

    Like

  9. Dru Duniway's avatar Dru Duniway says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  10. Eve's avatar Eve says:

    Is that Pier Angeli?

    Like

  11. John Marshall's avatar John Marshall says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  12. gerald mccann's avatar gerald mccann says:

    Pier Angelie

    Like

  13. Unknown's avatar zabadu says:

    Ah, Kirk Douglas!!

    Like

  14. richard heijnen's avatar richard heijnen says:

    Great… So Alexa , followed by William, Zabadu, Claire Lockhart, Jany, Gregory Moore, Nathan Marsak, Allison Berntsen, Dru Duniway, Eve Golden and John Marshall know who the gall is…. We still dont!! Who is she? I.m guessing roseanne, but i’m not sure..

    Like

  15. michaelryerson's avatar michaelryerson says:

    Jeanette Sterke?

    Like

  16. Arye Michael Bender's avatar Arye Michael Bender says:

    Going for the clue obvious: Anne Douglas

    Like

  17. Unknown's avatar zabadu says:

    Anne Douglas WISHES that were her.

    Like

  18. LEE RIVAS's avatar LEE RIVAS says:

    Stefanie Powers??

    Like

  19. Rhodora Montelongo's avatar Rhodora Montelongo says:

    Pier Angeli.. I believe she once dated James Dean.

    Like

  20. chris's avatar chris says:

    Pier Angeli. East of Eden was on TCM just last night. What a knockout. James Dean and Pier Angeli both. I saw Kirk Douglas in Montecito not too long ago, at Pane e Vino. He looks great.

    Like

  21. herb nichols's avatar herb nichols says:

    elsa martinelli

    Like

  22. Linda Roberts's avatar Linda Roberts says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  23. Claire Lockhart's avatar Claire Lockhart says:

    Husband Vic Damone.

    Like

  24. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    The woman is Pier Angeli. The second photo shows her with Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh during the making of that movie. The third photo shows Vic Damone.

    Like

  25. rdare's avatar rdare says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  26. Sharon's avatar Sharon says:

    My guess is Pier Angeli because she married Vic Damon and was in live before that w/ James Dean and that is Vic in one of the photos.

    Like

  27. Amy Chewning's avatar Amy Chewning says:

    Jeanne Crain?

    Like

  28. Arye Michael Bender's avatar Arye Michael Bender says:

    The Victor Damone pic did it.
    It led directly to Marisa Pavan and her girlfriend Rose Tattoo.
    Rose, despite rumors to the contrary, was not related to Herve Villechaize of “Da Plane” fame.

    Like

  29. Bob Duvall's avatar Bob Duvall says:

    The guy in today’s photo looks like Vic Damone.

    Like

  30. Tannen's avatar Tannen says:

    Could it be Katharine Hepburn?

    Like

  31. Bob Duvall's avatar Bob Duvall says:

    Now I’m thinking if he’s Vic Damone, then she must be Pier Angeli. Si?

    Like

  32. Rinky Dink's avatar Rinky Dink says:

    Janet Leigh?

    Like

  33. Sandra L. Lerner's avatar Sandra L. Lerner says:

    She’s Pier Angeli. James Dean was in love with her. I know she committed suicide, and was married to a vocalist, but right now can’t think of his name. You have a photo of him and her together.

    Like

  34. Sandra L. Lerner's avatar Sandra L. Lerner says:

    She’s Pier Angeli, and I just remembered! She was married to Vic Damone. There’s a photo above of both of them.

    Like

  35. Steve Dodd's avatar Steve Dodd says:

    Patricia Neal?

    Like

  36. BCarol's avatar BCarol says:

    It is Pier Angeli, born as Anna Maria Pierangeli on the island of Sardinia in Italy.

    Like

  37. Reader's avatar Reader says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  38. Stefanie Smith's avatar Stefanie Smith says:

    I say Pier Angelo (Angeli)

    Like

  39. inplants's avatar inplants says:

    Anne Bancroft?

    Like

  40. Joan's avatar Joan says:

    Pier Angeli?

    Like

  41. Rodman's avatar Rodman says:

    Is it Natalie Wood

    Like

  42. Rodman's avatar Rodman says:

    Is it Natalie Wood

    Like

  43. Rose Marie's avatar Rose Marie says:

    ANNA MARIA PIERANGELI

    Like

  44. jack english's avatar jack english says:

    pierre angeli……………jack

    Like

  45. Jerushah G.'s avatar Jerushah G. says:

    Eleanor Parker

    Like

  46. ARNETTE AMES's avatar ARNETTE AMES says:

    PIER ANGELI.

    Like

  47. Dropping By's avatar Dropping By says:

    I have no idea who she is, but she is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. It makes me wish that the young starlets of today would get really radical and non-conformist and somehow re-capture this sense of wholesome beauty in their public appearances.

    Like

  48. nell's avatar nell says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  49. Christine Thompson's avatar Christine Thompson says:

    Pier Angeli.

    Like

  50. Delilah S.'s avatar Delilah S. says:

    Anna Maria Alberghetti

    Like

  51. Sang Kim's avatar Sang Kim says:

    Ingrid Bergman?

    Like

  52. Albert Sonntag's avatar Albert Sonntag says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  53. Margie's avatar Margie says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  54. bolivar shazznasty's avatar bolivar shazznasty says:

    anna marie albergetiti (sic) and vic damone..?

    Like

  55. kage's avatar kage says:

    Anne Bancroft?

    Like

  56. Robert Dalziel's avatar Robert Dalziel says:

    Sharon Tate (before her dye job)???

    Like

  57. Lee B.'s avatar Lee B. says:

    Joan Leslie?

    Like

  58. Christopher Bernhard's avatar Christopher Bernhard says:

    Barbara Stanwyck.

    Like

  59. cynthia Driscoll's avatar cynthia Driscoll says:

    Ingrid Bergman?

    Like

  60. Cecylia Escarcega's avatar Cecylia Escarcega says:

    Could it be Shelly Winters?

    Like

  61. Unknown's avatar Lilly says:

    Is it Rita Hayworth?

    Like

  62. Sandra O'Neil's avatar Sandra O'Neil says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  63. Unknown's avatar efox says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  64. Helene Møller's avatar Helene Møller says:

    I believe the mystery woman is Pier Angeli, more known as
    Ann Maria Pierangeli.
    Best regards,
    Helene Møller

    Like

  65. Barbara's avatar Barbara says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  66. densie goldstein's avatar densie goldstein says:

    this is pier angeli

    Like

  67. Tom Franey's avatar Tom Franey says:

    It’s Pier Angelie and husband Vic Damone.

    Like

  68. Don Coyne's avatar Don Coyne says:

    Pier Angeli.

    Like

  69. denise goldstein's avatar denise goldstein says:

    her mystery companion is vic damone

    Like

  70. Kathy Eibert's avatar Kathy Eibert says:

    This is Pier Angeli. She died way to young.

    Like

  71. Michele Parrish's avatar Michele Parrish says:

    I’m going on a hunch here… Suzanne Pleshette! (?)

    Like

  72. betty's avatar betty says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  73. Cathy Cultra's avatar Cathy Cultra says:

    I am pretty sure it is Pier Angeli.

    Like

  74. Cooper Sinclair's avatar Cooper Sinclair says:

    It’s Pier Angeli

    Like

  75. Cooper Sinclair's avatar Cooper Sinclair says:

    oh and her “mystery companion” is Vic Damone

    Like

  76. luvcomments's avatar luvcomments says:

    Ingrid Bergman

    Like

  77. Buzz Neidig's avatar Buzz Neidig says:

    I believe that it is Pier Angeli.

    Like

  78. dave stroh's avatar dave stroh says:

    actress pier angeli

    Like

  79. J.A. Brady's avatar J.A. Brady says:

    Deborah Raffin

    Like

  80. Peter S's avatar Peter S says:

    Don’t know, but she is lovely.

    Like

  81. Curtis Grindahl's avatar Curtis Grindahl says:

    Pier Angeli… where that name came from out of my 67 year old mind I have no idea. I checked online to confirm my thought.

    Like

  82. Peter S's avatar Peter S says:

    Don’t know, but she is lovely.

    Like

  83. Chris Choi's avatar Chris Choi says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  84. Pier Angeli. Look at her with Vic Damone! Pier Angeli. Sal

    Like

  85. Renee Townsend's avatar Renee Townsend says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  86. Karen Young's avatar Karen Young says:

    Pier Angelli?

    Like

  87. Marianne Arieli's avatar Marianne Arieli says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  88. Pat van Hartesveldt's avatar Pat van Hartesveldt says:

    The lady is Pier Angeli. Her mystery companion is Vic Damone.

    Like

  89. thedude's avatar thedude says:

    Pamela Brown

    Like

  90. Michael Wagester's avatar Michael Wagester says:

    Is it Pier Angeli?

    Like

  91. Emmy's avatar Emmy says:

    Pier Angeli (Anna Maria Pierangeli) ?

    Like

  92. Roger Galloway's avatar Roger Galloway says:

    Pier Angela?

    Like

  93. Michael Wagester's avatar Michael Wagester says:

    Is it Pier Angeli?

    Like

  94. Edward Cradduck's avatar Edward Cradduck says:

    Looks like Marisa Pavan.

    Like

  95. Roger Galloway's avatar Roger Galloway says:

    sorry –mis-spelled — Pier Angeli

    Like

  96. Konrad's avatar Konrad says:

    Pier Angelli, real name I believe is Anna Maria Pierangelli or something close.

    Like

  97. Edward Cradduck's avatar Edward Cradduck says:

    The Man looks like Vic Demone.

    Like

  98. Suzanne Kaplan's avatar Suzanne Kaplan says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  99. Tim McGarry's avatar Tim McGarry says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  100. Charleigh's avatar Charleigh says:

    Pier Angeli?

    Like

  101. Katherine Guess's avatar Katherine Guess says:

    Mystery Lady is Pier Angeli.

    Like

  102. V.Smith's avatar V.Smith says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  103. RENE MILLIGAN's avatar RENE MILLIGAN says:

    THE LADY IS PIER ANGELLI, AN ITALIAN ACTRESS WHO WAS MARRIED TO VIC DAMONE IN THE 50’S. BEAUTIFUL GIRL, WHO UNFORTUNATELY KILLED HERSELF .

    Like

  104. Michael Trueblood's avatar Michael Trueblood says:

    Is it Pier Angeli?

    Like

  105. Debra Lane's avatar Debra Lane says:

    Pier Angeli?

    Like

  106. randron's avatar randron says:

    Anne Bancroft

    Like

  107. Unknown's avatar Michael T says:

    Is it Pier Angeli?

    Like

  108. Renee Carr's avatar Renee Carr says:

    It’s the lovely and talented Pier Angeli

    Like

  109. librechik's avatar librechik says:

    Jane Alexander

    Like

  110. yvette's avatar yvette says:

    its Pier Angeli

    Like

  111. betty's avatar betty says:

    it’s pier angeli

    Like

  112. J Majka's avatar J Majka says:

    Lauren Bacall? (sp?)

    Like

  113. XXXKarenXXX's avatar XXXKarenXXX says:

    Cyd Cherise with Vic Damone. Wow, was she lovely with her natural unmade up face.

    Like

  114. SLM's avatar SLM says:

    Pier Angeli.

    Like

  115. JR Majka's avatar JR Majka says:

    Gene Tierney

    Like

  116. Elijah Morton's avatar Elijah Morton says:

    Cyd Charisse

    Like

  117. Edward Cradduck's avatar Edward Cradduck says:

    Pier Angeli or Marisa Pavan. Twins.
    Vic Demone in the picture.

    Like

  118. Mary's avatar Mary says:

    Pier Angeli? OR Sandy Dennis?

    Like

  119. firooz's avatar firooz says:

    Its Pier Angelli

    Like

  120. jad's avatar jad says:

    Pier Angelie

    Like

  121. Pat Bracken's avatar Pat Bracken says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  122. Bill Egan's avatar Bill Egan says:

    It could be Pier Angeli (Anna Maria Pierangeli) or her twin sister Marisa Pavan (Marisa Pierangeli. Since one photo shows her with Vic Damone, it’s likely Pier Angeli since they were married for awhile. On the other hand, he could have been cozy with his sister-in-law at one time.

    Like

  123. Ani's avatar Ani says:

    Could it be Jinx Falkenburg?

    Like

  124. Mary Beth Rivetti's avatar Mary Beth Rivetti says:

    Is it Valli?

    Like

  125. Chris Cottrill's avatar Chris Cottrill says:

    Pier Angeli

    Like

  126. don anderson's avatar don anderson says:

    pier angeli

    Like

  127. JT's avatar JT says:

    Pier Angeli?

    Like

  128. My guess is Cyd Charisse.

    Like

  129. Joan Coy's avatar Joan Coy says:

    This is Pier Angeli. She was once married to Vic Damone and, once engaged to Kirk Douglas.

    Like

  130. Robert M's avatar Robert M says:

    Anna Marie Alberghetti

    Like

  131. Ms Deville's avatar Ms Deville says:

    I think it’s Joanne Dru, right?

    Like

  132. Elin's avatar Elin says:

    Pier Angeli?

    Like

  133. Unknown's avatar Michael T says:

    I think that it is Pier Angeli. She was engaged to Kirk Douglas and later married Vic Damone.

    Like

  134. Bill T's avatar Bill T says:

    Pier Angeli. I got it yesterday, but I couldn’t post to the site!

    Like

  135. kdapello's avatar kdapello says:

    you’re all wrong, it’s Pier Angeli

    Like

  136. herb nichols's avatar herb nichols says:

    annamarie pierangeli

    Like

  137. Unknown's avatar zabadu says:

    And hello Vic Damone!

    Like

  138. Solutions428's avatar Solutions428 says:

    Ingrid Bergman

    Like

  139. Eileen's avatar Eileen says:

    Grace Kelly

    Like

  140. Cold in PHX's avatar Cold in PHX says:

    I’m going to take a guess and say it’s Ina Balin.

    Like

  141. Arye Michael Bender's avatar Arye Michael Bender says:

    Assumed the Vic Damone hint wouldn’t be so on the nose, and guessed the wrong sister. Mama Mia!
    Larry, once again you humbled me.
    Keep the fun rolling.

    Like

Comments are closed.