Anita Ekberg 1931-2015
Swedish-born actress Anita Ekberg, who became a sex symbol in 1950s Hollywood comedies but who achieved true immortality in Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita," died Sunday, January 11, 2015, in Rome. She was 83.
"La Dolce Vita"
It was in Italy where Ekberg achieved worldwide fame as the sensual Sylvia in Fellini's classic, "La Dolce Vota" (1960).
Pinup Girl
Born on Sept. 29, 1931, in Malmo, Sweden, Anita Ekberg was spotted on the street by organizers of the Miss Sweden competition in 1951. They encouraged her to enter, and she won.
Ekberg then went to the United States for the Miss Universe competition, and while she did not win, her modeling work in Hollywood helped land her roles in films, including "Take Me to Town," "Blood Alley" (starring John Wayne and Lauren Bacall), and - as a curvaceous guard on the planet Venus - "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars."
"Artists and Models"
Anita Ekberg with Dean Martin in the 1955 musical-comedy, "Artists and Models."
"Zarak"
Afghan bandit Zarak Khan (Victor Mature) takes a dangerous interest in one of his father's wives (Anita Ekberg), in "Zarak" (1956).
"Pickup Alley"
In the 1957 thriller "Pickup Alley," about Interpol's effort to stop a drug-smuggling ring, Trevor Howard plays an international criminal. Anita Ekberg plays a woman assisting an American narcotics agent (played by Victor Mature).
"Pickup Alley"
Anita Ekberg in hot water in "Pickup Alley."
"Valerie"
In the western "Valerie" (1957), Sterling Hayden is a rancher on trial for assaulting his wife (Anita Ekberg). The film co-starred Anthony Steel, who was Ekberg's husband at the time.
"The Man Inside"
In the British crime drama "The Man Inside" (1958), Anita Ekberg and Jack Palance are on the hunt for a cache of stolen diamonds.
"Screaming Mimi"
In a thriller that promised "tension that's too much to bare," Anita Ekberg played a woman locked up in a madhouse, who escapes with her psychiatrist, only to wind up performing in a nightclub operated by Gypsy Rose Lee, in 'Screaming Mimi" (1958).
"La Dolce Vita"
In "La Dolce Vita" (1960), Anita Ekberg starred as a famed actress who is a magnet for the paparazzi.
"La Dolce Vita"
Marcello Mastroianni is a journalist smitten by the dazzling actress played by Anita Ekberg in Fellini's "La Dolce Vita." The film shot Ekberg to international stardom.
"La Dolce Vita"
In one of the most memorable scenes in cinema, Sylvia (Anita Ekberg) cavorts in Rome's Trevi Fountain in "La Dolce Vita."
In 2005 Ekberg recalled shooting the scene in the fountain in February: "I was freezing … They had to lift me out of the water because I couldn't feel my legs anymore."
Though she said she could not stand watching the scene any more, having seen it "too many times," she admitted, "it was beautiful at the time."
"La Dolce Vita"
Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni in "la Dolce Vita."
"The Mongols"
Jack Palace is the son of Genghis Khan in "The Mongols," starring opposite Anita Ekberg.
"Boccaccio '70"
Anita Ekberg, playing herself, was directed once again by Federico Fellini in the anthology film "Boccaccio '70" (1962).
"Boccaccio '70"
Anita Ekberg on the set of "Boccaccio '70" with director Federico Fellini.
"Call Me Bwana"
Anita Ekberg played a secret agent in the Bob Hope comedy, "Call Me Bwana" (1963).
"4 for Texas"
In the western comedy "4 for Texas" (1963), Anita Ekberg played the romantic interest of a riverboat gambler (Frank Sinatra).
"The Alphabet Murders"
Anita Ekberg comes under suspicion from the famed detective Hercule Poirot (Tony Randall) in "The Alphabet Murders" (1965), a comedic take on the Agatha Christie novel, "The A.B.C. Murders."
"Way ... Way Out"
When Jerry Lewis and Connie Stevens become the first American couple to live on a moon base, they must contend with the Russians next door, including a dark-haired Anita Ekberg (left), in the 1966 comedy, "Way ... Way Out."
"Intervista"
Anita Ekberg starred as herself in Federico Fellini's mock documentary "Intervista" (1987).
"Artists and Models"
Her last credits include the 1998 feature "Le nain rouge," and the TV series "Beauty Centre" (2002).
Anita Ekberg died on Sunday, January 11, 2015.
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan