

Willy Rizzo (1928 – 2013) was an Italian photographer and designer.
Attracted by the allure of the United States and the then still mythical world of the Californian celebrity, Rizzo travelled to New York to work with the Black Star Agency in the developing America of the post-war years. During this time, he succeeded in capturing and reporting on Hollywood legends, such as Gregory Peck and Gary Cooper
In late 1948, Willy began an illustrious twenty-year career with Paris Match that would have him photograph some of the greatest names of the golden age of photojournalism. Married later to actress Elsa Martinelli, Rizzo enjoyed unparalleled access to the stars.
Marlene Dietrich, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Vivien Leigh, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso all found themselves in front of Rizzo’s lens.
Willy Rizzo, Catherine Deneuve, 1966 via
Willy Rizzo, Jane Fonda, 1960s via
Willy Rizzo, Marie Laforet, 1966 via
Willy Rizzo, Anna Karina, 1966 via
Willy Rizzo, Elsa Martinelli, 1966 via
Willy Rizzo, Sophia Loren, 1966 via
Arthur Miller, Simone Signoret, Yves Montand et Marilyn Monroe at the Premiere of Let’s Make Love directed by George Cukor, 1960
Vivian Maier, Kirk Douglas at the premiere of the movie Spartacus, Chicago, October 1960
Sean Connery, Phyllis Newman and conductor Leonard Bernstein t the premiere of the James Bond movie Dr. NO directed by Terence Young, 1962
Peter O’Toole with Omar Sharif at the premiere of Lawrence d’ Arabia, Hollywood, 1962
Sue Lyon at the premiere of Lolita directed by Stanley Kubrick, 1962
Monica Vitti with Michelangelo Antonioni at the première of 8 1/2 directed by Federico Fellini, Roma, February 13, 1963
Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale and Alain Delon at the Il gattopardo premiere, 1963
Bob Cummings, Shirley MacLaine and Gene Kelly take the subway to the 1964 World’s Fair for the world premiere of their film What a way to go !
Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer at the film premiere of My Fair Lady, Audrey Hepburn is wearing a Givenchy gown, 1964
Judy garland and Liza Minnelli at Flora, The Red Menace Premiere, 1965
Don Bessant, Julie Christie, Dirk Bogarde and Monica Vitti at the première of Darling by John Schlesinger, London, 1965
Director David Lean, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin and Omar Sharif at the premiere of Doctor Zhivago, 1965
Peter O’Toole and The Queen Mother at the premiere of Lord Jim directed by Richard Brooks, 1965
Luchino Visconti, Claudia Cardinale and Jean Sorel at the premiere of Sandra, 1965
Jean-Luc Godard, Edie Constantine and Anna Karina at the Alphaville premiere, 1965. Photo by Raymond Depardon © Magnum Photos
David Bailey, Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorleac and Clint Eastwood at the premiere of Les Demoiselles de Rochefort directed by Jacques Demy, 1967
Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty at the premiere of Bonnie and Clyde directed by Arthur Penn, 1967
Catherine Deneuve on the set of Les Parapluies de Cherbourg directed by Jacques Demy, 1964 via