Gia Scala
Biography
Gia Scala, born in Liverpool in 1934, was a British and American actress. She grew up in Sicily and moved to New York at sixteen, where she studied acting at night with teachers such as Stella Adler. After a small uncredited part in All That Heaven Allows, Universal Studios offered her a contract, changed her hair color, capped her front teeth and created the stage name Gia Scala. She went on to appear in The Garment Jungle (1957), The Tunnel of Love (1958) and The Guns of Navarone (1961), which starred Gregory Peck and David Niven. In the 1960s she worked often on American television, appearing in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Tarzan and It Takes a Thief, the last in 1969 marking her final acting role.
38years old at death
- Born Liverpool
- Died Hollywood
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
- Also credited as Josephine Grace Johanna Scoglio and Josephine Giovanna Scoglio
Movie Career
- Films
- 7
- Career span
- 5 years1956 to 1961
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About the name
Scala was given her professional name by Universal Studios, which also dyed her hair dark brown and had her four front teeth capped after signing her to a contract.
Early training
Scala worked days for airlines and an insurance agency, and at night she studied acting. Stella Adler was among her teachers.
First role
Scala's first official Hollywood job was a non-speaking, uncredited part in All That Heaven Allows, which starred Rock Hudson. She did not get another part, but Peter Johnson at Universal Studios was impressed with her screen test.
Beyond film
While working on Four Girls in Town, songwriter Henry Mancini crossed paths with Scala. He wrote "Cha Cha for Gia" after being inspired by her beauty, and the song showed up uncredited in the 1957 film.
Gia Scala movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Worked with
Gia Scala shares two films with Stanley Baker, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Stanley Baker's page
Anthony Quinn's page
Robert Mitchum's page
Robert Loggia's page
Gregory Peck's page
Richard Widmark's page
All films by Robert Aldrich
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.