Born on September 29, 1931, in Malmö, Sweden, Anita Ekberg grew up in a modest household as the sixth of eight children. Though her early years gave little hint of the international fame that awaited her, her striking beauty set her apart from an early age.
Her journey to stardom began in 1950 when she won the title of Miss Sweden. While she didn’t take home the Miss Universe crown, her participation in the pageant proved to be a turning point. The exposure brought her to Hollywood, where her captivating presence quickly caught the eye of industry insiders. This newfound recognition opened doors in modeling and acting, setting the stage for her entertainment career.
Breaking into Hollywood
Ekberg’s Hollywood debut came in the mid-1950s with supporting roles in films such as Blood Alley (1955), where she appeared alongside John Wayne and Lauren Bacall, and the comedy Artists and Models (1955), starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Her Nordic beauty and statuesque elegance earned her the nickname “The Iceberg,” reinforcing her image as a classic Hollywood bombshell. Popular media, including Playboy, frequently featured her, further cementing her status as a pop culture sensation.
La Dolce Vita and Global Stardom
However, it was her role in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960) that made her an international icon. Her portrayal of Sylvia, the enchanting yet elusive starlet, captured the essence of celebrity allure and mystery. The film’s most legendary moment—Ekberg wading through Rome’s Trevi Fountain in a flowing black gown—became one of the most enduring images in cinematic history.
Despite the worldwide recognition La Dolce Vita brought her, the role also led to typecasting, with many directors offering her parts that emphasized her glamorous persona. While this limited her opportunities for more diverse roles, Ekberg embraced the fame it afforded her, understanding the power of the image she had cultivated.
Life in Italy and Career Beyond Hollywood
Choosing to remain in Italy after her rise to stardom, Ekberg found greater creative freedom outside Hollywood’s constraints. She appeared in notable European films such as Boccaccio ’70 (1962), an anthology featuring works by Fellini and Vittorio De Sica, and 4 for Texas (1963), where she reunited with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Though filmmakers often cast her in roles that leaned into her seductive image, she maintained a strong presence in European cinema, solidifying her legacy as a screen siren of her era.
These 8 Shocking Effects Will Make You Think Twice About Letting Your Dog Sleep in Bed
Should you let your dog sleep in your bed or not? That’s a question many dog owners ask. For me, it’s cozy having my dog by my side—it helps me relax. I just have to wash my sheets more often!
Dog owners have different opinions on this. Some think it’s not clean, while others believe it’s calming and helps them sleep better.
But now, research shows there are benefits to letting your dog sleep with you.
A study from the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona looked at 150 people, and the results were interesting.
Among them, 56 percent said they shared their bed or bedroom with a dog or cat. And of those, 41 percent said their pets helped them sleep better at night, according to the U.K. newspaper, the *Daily Mail*.
The research showed that most people felt more relaxed and secure sleeping with their pets nearby.
Still unsure? Here are eight reasons why research says sleeping with your pet is good for you.
1. **Comforting**
Having your dog close for cuddles can make you feel happier before bed.
2. **Helps you fall asleep**
Many people struggle to fall asleep, and a study shows that having a dog nearby reduces stress, making it easier to drift off.
3. **Reduces stress**
Research shows that dogs help lower stress. Therapy dogs are a great example of how animals support people after tough times in their lives.
4. **Provides warmth**
Dogs like being close to us, and during winter, they offer extra warmth in bed.
5. **Lowers the risk of depression**
Dogs give unconditional love. For people dealing with depression, having a dog nearby can lift their mood.
6. **Safe space**
Even if your dog isn’t the best guard dog, having them close makes you feel safer. They help scare off anyone thinking about breaking in, and their sharp hearing can detect intruders, making dog owners feel more secure.
7. **Good for your dog**
It’s not just you who benefits—your dog enjoys being close to you at night too. Your dog loves you more than anyone else, and being by your side brings them comfort and happiness.
8. **Dogs are good for your brain**
Feeling calm, safe, and happy when your dog sleeps beside you happens because your brain releases more oxytocin when you pet your dog. Oxytocin is a hormone that makes you feel relaxed, confident, and emotionally stable. This not only improves your mood but also benefits your brain, according to studies.
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