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Paola Cortellesi

Paola Cortellesi

Actor and writer, also director · Born November 24, 1973 (52) · Rome, Lazio, Italy

Paola Cortellesi (born 24 November 1973) is an eclectic Italian actress, singer, voice actress, film director, and presenter. She began her career in television with the show Macao, presented by Alba Parietti, but eventually reached nationwide popularity as a comic actress in the TV show Mai dire Gol by the Gialappa's Band (2000), which, in particular, showcased her skills at parodying famous people, a genre where she collected some of her most appreciated performances (the latest one being her parody of Milan's mayor Letizia Moratti in the 2010-2011 edition of the popular TV show Zelig). Other major performances of Cortellesi on television include the 2004 edition of the San Remo Music Festival and the leading role in the TV movie Maria Montessori: Una vita per i bambini, a biography of Maria Montessori, for which Cortellesi received the "Maximo Award" at the Roma Fiction Fest. Her career in cinema includes several appreciated performances in comedies and comic movies, including a leading role in Tu la conosci Claudia?, a very popular production starring the comic trio Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo. In 2008, she was nominated for the David di Donatello award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie Piano, solo by Riccardo Milani. In 2011 she won the David di Donatello for Best Actress for her leading role in Escort in Love. *Source:* **Wikipedia**

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 24, 1973 (52)
From
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Works as
Actor and writer, also director
Titles
15 on MovieCove · 59 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 43% in 30 days

What are Paola Cortellesi's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
44%
Self
17%
Power
9%
Morality
9%
Society
9%
Ideas
7%
Survival
4%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeHope3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 1 · Dark 0

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 2

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 9 · Charged 3 · Intense 0

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 10 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 8

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 8 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
8 of 10
Shapeshifter
2 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
11
Joyful
7
Tense
3
Bittersweet
3
Romantic
2
Other
4

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Paola Cortellesi's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 4 of their 15 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paola Cortellesi's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

59 credits, 15 with a MovieCove page; 8 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Peccato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Petra - Gli Onori di Casa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Petra Delicato

  • Petra - Il Silenzio dei Chiostri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Petra Delicato

  • There's Still Tomorrow(2023)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Delia

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • GialappaShow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Call My Agent: Italy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Marcel! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Telesales presenter

  • I cassamortari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Se stessa (non accreditata)

  • The Legend of the Christmas Witch 2: The Origins(2021)

    as Paola

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Vitti d'arte, Vitti d'amore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Sé stassa

  • Dinner Club(2021)

    Show 6 episodes · as Paola Cortellesi

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Like a Cat on a Highway 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Writer · as Monica

  • Petra(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · as l'ispettrice Petra Delicato

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Petra - Giorno da Cani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Petra Delicato

  • Petra - Riti di Morte (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Writers' Assistant · as Petra Delicado

  • Figli(2020)

    as Sara

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Don't Stop Me Now(2019)

    Screenplay · Story · as Giovanna

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Detective Per Caso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Ispettore Maria Bellamore

  • The Legend of the Christmas Witch(2018)

    as Paola

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Like a Cat on a Highway(2017)

    Screenplay · as Monica

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Mom or Dad? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Screenplay · as Valeria

  • Something New(2016)

    Screenplay · Story · as Lucia

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Laura & Paola (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Callas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Maria Callas

  • The Last Will Be the Last (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Screenplay · Story · as Luciana Colacci

  • Wondrous Boccaccio(2015)

    as Badessa Usimbalda

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Do You See Me?(2014)

    Screenplay · Story · as Serena Bruno

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Sotto una buona stella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Luisa Tombolini

  • A Boss in the Living Room(2014)

    as Cristina D'Avola/Carmela Cimmaruta

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Some Say No (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Irma

  • Escort in Love(2011)

    as Alice

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Women Vs Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Chiara

  • Longlasting Youth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 4 episodes · as Nora

  • Men Vs Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Chiara

  • La fisica dell'acqua (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Giulia

  • The Ladies Get Their Say (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Sofia

  • Everyone's Crazy About Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 13 episodes · as Angelica, la voce del paradiso

  • Let's Not Lose Sight of Each Other (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 5 episodes · Creator · Actor

  • Piano, Solo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Baba

  • Don't Make Any Plans for Tonight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Cinzia

  • Maria Montessori: una vita per i bambini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Maria Montessori

  • Fiorello & Baldini Visti da dietro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • The last will be the last (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Writer · Actor

  • Do You Know Claudia?(2004)

    as Claudia

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Christmas at Deejay's House: A Christmas Carol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Silvana

  • Nessundorma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Il posto dell'anima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Nina

  • Bell'amico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Damiana

  • Past Perfect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Claudia

  • On the Tiger's Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Antonella

  • Mai dire domenica (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Un altr'anno e poi cresco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Alessia

  • If I Were You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Caterina

  • Amarsi può darsi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Rita

  • Ask Me If I'm Happy(2000)

    as Dalia

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Mai dire grande fratello (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 49 episodes · Actor

  • Zelig (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 31 episodes · as Host

  • Never Say Goal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

  • Finché dura (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 59 titles, 58 of them dated from 1990 to 2026; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

There's Still Tomorrow (2023)

$50M worldwide

Highest rated

There's Still Tomorrow (2023)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Dinner Club (2021)

Film career

19902026

Peak 2015 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2000Screen debut· Ask Me If I'm Happy
  • 2007First top-billed film· Maria Montessori: una vita per i bambini
  • 2020Career best· Petra
  • 2023Career best· There's Still Tomorrow

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting58 of 59: 47 only acting, 11 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thDirecting2 of 59: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting11 of 59: 0 only writing, 11 with another role · typical Midcredits score55thOther crew1 of 59: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

59 titles, 12 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 10 of them.

By decade

1990s2 · acting2000s21 · 21 acting · 2 crew2010s19 · 19 acting · 6 crew2020s16 · 16 acting · 3 crew

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 54% of 24 roles
001015

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Paola Cortellesi's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 48th percentile, the median of all 13; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 57th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 15 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 15 titles are Broadly Agreed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

The Legend of the Christmas Witch 2: The Origins (2021)

50th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director, writer

There's Still Tomorrow (2023)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Paola Cortellesi work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paola Cortellesi's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Furio Andreotti shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles