Anna Kanakis (; 1 February 1962 – 19 November 2023) was an Italian actress, novelist, model and beauty pageant titleholder.
Life and career Born in Messina from a Greek father from Crete and a Sicilian mother, in 1977 Kanakis was Miss Italy at 15 years old, being the younger winner at the time. In 1981, she entered the Miss Universe competition. Kanakis worked in cinema as early as 1980, being mainly active in comedy films. In later years, her career transitioned to television, where she had leading roles in series and TV-movies.
Starting from You're So Mine When You Sleep, a 2010 novel about George Sand's life, Kanakis specialized in historical novels. Her last work was Don't judge me ("Non giudicarmi"), a novel about the life events of Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen.
Kanakis also had a brief political experience as national leader of Culture and Entertainment in the Democratic Union for the Republic.
Personal life and death In 1981, Kanakis married the composer Claudio Simonetti, but their marriage only lasted a few years. From 2004, she was married to Marco Merati Foscarini, a descendant of Marco Foscarini, one of the last Doges of Venice. Kanakis had no children. She died of lymphoma on 19 November 2023, aged 61.
Selected filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1981Attila flagello di DioSirena1983Acapulco, prima spiaggia... a sinistraMarina1983Occhio, malocchio, prezzemolo e finocchio Customer1983The New BarbariansAlmaItalian film; released in the U.S. as Warriors of the Wasteland 19832019, After the Fall of New YorkEurac Officer AniaItalian film; original title 2019 - Dopo la caduta di New York1983Segni particolari: bellissimo RosaliaCredited as Anna Maria Kanakis1989'O ReThe Brigand1990The MiserElisa1991MoneyAnna Lupino1991Reflections in a Dark SkyChim1997Gli inaffidabiliGena2006The Final InquiryClaudia ProculaItalian film; original title L'inchiesta
Television Year Title Role Notes1990A Season of GiantsSister IlariaTV movie1991Young CatherineCountess VorontsovaTV mini-series1995La famiglia RicordiMariaTV mini-series; 4 episodes1999Turn of the CenturyGiulia CairoTV mini-series; original title Fine secolo; 5 episodes
References
External links Official site