Dana Ghia

Dana Ghia (born Felicita Ghia; 13 July 1932 – January 2024) was an Italian actress, singer, and model.

During her acting career, Ghia was sometimes credited as Ghia Arlen.

Life and career

Born Felicita Ghia in Milan, Italy, Ghia started her career as a runway model. She debuted as a singer in 1953, during a student show, then in 1956 she was first noted thanks to the participation on the RAI contest for newcomers Primo applauso. Shortly thereafter Ghia started appearing as a vocalist in several RAI variety shows, and recording several singles. 

Between 1963 and 1977 she appeared in a number of films and television series, mainly in character roles.

Dana Ghia died in January 2024, at the age of 91.

Selected filmography

• Degueyo (1966)
• 4 Dollars of Revenge (1966)
• The Dirty Outlaws (1967)
• Today We Kill... Tomorrow We Die! (1968)
• Police Chief Pepe (1969)
• Burn! (1969) as Francesca
• Normal Young Man (1970)
• The Priest's Wife (1971)
• Trinity Is Still My Name (1971)
• The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971)
• My Dear Killer (1972)
• Smile Before Death (1972)
• Seven Deaths in the Cat's Eye (1973)
• La svergognata (1974)
• Free Hand for a Tough Cop (1975)
• So Young, So Lovely, So Vicious... (1975)
• The Cursed Medallion (1975)
• California (1977)
• Nine Guests for a Crime (1977)

Selected discography

Singles

• 1958: Come prima/Un sorriso come il sole (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36130)
• 1958: Melodia d'amore/Pupa piccolina (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36131)
• 1958: La canzone del faro/Ti voglio ti sogno ti adoro (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36164)
• 1958: Prendi quella stella/Non partir (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36165)
• 1958: Anche domani/L'amore senza soldi (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36312)
• 1958: Napule 'mbraccio a tte/Vicine vicine (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36313)
• 1958: Non lasciarmi/Melodie d'amore (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36317)
• 1958: Quand je monte chez toi (Quando salgo da te)/Dors, mon amour (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36318)
• 1959: The Hula Hoop song/Till (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36322)
• 1959: Adorami/Tua (con Tony Cucchiara) (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36335)
• 1959: Per tutta la vita/Tu sei qui (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36339)
• 1959: Ammore celeste/Scurdammoce 'e ccose d'o munno (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36476)
• 1959: Primme e doppo/Solitudine (Vis Radio, Vi MQN 36477)

EP

• 1958: The Hula Hoop song/Till/Anche domani/Napule 'mbraccio a te (Vis Radio, Vi MQ 14149)
• 1959: Ammore celeste/Scurdammoce 'e ccose d'o munno/Primme e doppo/Solitudine (Vis Radio, Vi MQ 14169)