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Barbara Magnolfi

actress

Short Biography: 
Born in France to an Italian father and a French mother, Barbara Magnolfi grew up in Rome, where classical dance entered her life at an early age. She began studying ballet at the age of four and, while still a child, rose to the rank of lead ballerina. Her transition to cinema came early and almost by chance: at thirteen she was discovered by director Antonio Pietrangeli, who cast her on the spot in Come, Quando, Perché. It marked the beginning of a path that felt both natural and inevitable in front of the camera. In the 1970s, after a period working as a high-fashion model for prestigious ateliers and major advertising campaigns, Italian cinema embraced her distinctive presence. She made her screen debut in Sergio Martino’s The Suspicious Death of a Minor, followed by notable roles in La Madama and Ready for Anything. International audiences came to know her most memorably in 1977 with Dario Argento’s Suspiria, where she portrayed the unforgettable Olga—sensual, ironic, and unsettling. Her magnetic presence left a lasting impression on Argento himself, who affectionately referred to her as “my little witch.” Now regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time, Suspiria permanently secured her place in the history of the genre. Complex and emotionally rich roles followed, including Difficile Morire, filmed at Cinecittà, and The Sister of Ursula, where her performance was widely praised despite the film’s controversial production history. Moving between cinema and television, Barbara’s career unfolded alongside profound personal experiences, including a strong civic commitment in the 1980s through anti-drug awareness campaigns. From the 1990s onward, her work took on an international dimension, spanning Australia and the United States. In Los Angeles she was rediscovered by new generations of viewers, many drawn once again to her iconic role in Suspiria. In recent years, she has continued to work as both actress and producer, appearing in films, television series, and independent projects. Today, Barbara Magnolfi is recognized as a cult figure of European and genre cinema—an artist who continues to engage audiences around the world. Between film sets, international festivals, and the writing of her autobiography, her passion for acting remains undiminished. And like all true performers, she continues to look ahead. Barbara Magnolfi. www.barbaramagnolfi.com
The Interview: 

 

First Blood .

In Suspiria you played Olga, one of the dance students. When did you realize you were shooting a film that would become a horror cult classic? Was there a moment on set when you truly felt a shiver run down your spine?

 

BM: Correct, however Olga was a lot more than just another Ballet Student in the academy. She had already graduated the school and was living in her own apartment and that was giving you a clue already on who Olga was ! A “ witchette “ or how Dario Argento called me : "La Mia Streghina "my little witch! Olga was part of the witches coven and procuring “prey" for them .

Assuming that a film is going to become an horror cult classic while you’re filming would be quite pretentious , however there was a sense that we were doing something powerful on set . Possibly it was only my perception that this film was going to be important . It sure was to me as it completely changed my actor status from working professional to a star when it came out.

 

Behind the Camera.

Dario Argento is famous for creating tension even off-script. What’s the most unsettling or surreal thing he ever asked you to do during the filming of Suspiria?

 

BM: He never really asked me such things ! He was actually very polite and gentle, super cultured and a perfectionist! Insisting to get his vision exactly as it was in his mind, on film . So he could be intense in that way , however gave me and other actors quite some freedom to come up with interpretation of their character. Definitely a master of Suspense ! 

 

Giallo vs. Horror.

You’ve worked in both the erotic giallo films of the ’70s and pure horror. Which of the two genres left deeper “scars” on you emotionally? And which one do you enjoy more as a viewer today?

 

BM: I worked on several Giallo Films way more than horror and several other genres like comedy , Polizieschi , dramas and the only “erotic “ Giallo turned out to be the Sister of Ursula to which erotic scenes were added illegally and without the consent or knowledge of the stars , in mid production . To this day I am still trying to get the rights and edit the film to re-release it to be faithful to the original script, which truly was a much better film: a psychological thriller. Movies I work on do not leave any scars on me unless something goes extremely wrong like in the case of the Sister of Ursula so you could say what happened with that film , did .

 

Curses on Set.

Many Italian horror films from that era have dark legends behind them. On the set of Suspiria or The Sister of Ursula, did anything unexplainable happen that you still can’t explain to this day?

 

BM: I remember on Suspiria I overheard that scenes that were shot and recorded were’t showing sometimes and missing or disappearing and that was kind of strange !!

 

The Sound of Fear.

The Goblin score in Suspiria is a character of its own. What was it like acting with that music playing in the background? Have you ever heard it again and still gotten chills?

 

BM: Honestly I have no idea where this information came from, however while I was shooting we never had music of the sound track by Goblins playing in the background ! In fact quite the opposite there was absolute silence to a point that felt almost mystic.The soundtrack by Claudio Simonetti and the Goblins was recorded during the editing post production part.I was resent in the studio several times and that is were Claudio and I met , and stayed good friends up to this day !  

 

If Horror Were a Room.

If you had to lock a viewer in a room inspired by one of your films, what would it look like? What would it smell like, what sound would echo in it, and what would they find in the darkest corner?

 

BM: It would be a locked room in a psychiatric ward or similar institution or dungeon where there is nothing but bare walls and a creepy sounds of screams in the distance from other ward occupants and of steps in the corridor outside approaching and terrifying. The smell of mold and disinfectant mixed together and the demons in the mind playing tricks on you and seemingly no possible escape in view ! 

 

The Legacy of Terror.

After 50 years in the business, young directors and fans consider you an Italian “scream queen.” If you could leave one curse or blessing on the future of horror cinema, what would it be?

 

BM: Is funny because horror found me and I wasn’t an “ horror” actress till Suspiria. However I can appreciate the Horror community I found, and I realized the horror genre offers very interesting roles to performers more so, in my view, than other genres of films.

I therefore would like to leave a blessing and a hope that horror would take its rightful place among the top genres and that it would continue to offer challenging wonderful creepy and powerful roles to women in particular ! 

 

Your Favorite Monsters.

Excluding the films you acted in: what are the 3 horror movies that traumatized you, inspired you, or that you still rewatch with pleasure today? Is there a director r a monster you wish you’d worked with?

 

BM: I do not watch much horror especially the very gory one I dislike ! I believe there is no need to show that much gore. I tend to gravitate towards psychological thrillers and different kind of horror more like Hitchcock with the Birds or like the Crow as well as Dracula the very old classic one, he would probably be my favorite monster !

 

The Blood to Come .

Do you have any future projects connected to horror? As a producer or actress, is there a dark idea rattling around in your head that you’d love to bring to the screen? If you could choose, what would your final role in a horror film be?

 

BM: I do, I am going to be working on the Rebirth of the Living Dead in about a month with Dustin Ferguson directing and as well as another film which won’t be horror but a biopic drama . I am also writing my autobiography and appearing at conventions always with pleasure to meet my fans .

If I could choose my final role in a horror film it would be a role of an ancient Vampire who knows all, but is tormented by solitude! She takes different forms and bodies to serve her needs of blood and sensations but secretly yearns to be human and free...

 

 

 

https://www.barbaramagnolfi.com/

 

Post by Miluna V on 19/04/2026 - 15:58
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