Today we’d like to introduce you to Irina Maleeva
Hi Irina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born in Bulgaria, with the famous stage actress mother and an Italian statesman father, I became a child actress at the age of 7. Later I studied in Italy and by the age of 15, I was discovered by the great Italian director Fellini. From that moment on I worked on stage and film with famous directors like Orson Welles, Bertolucci, Visconti.
I wanted to finish all my studies by the time I was 21. I was very ambitious, and I did finish The English College in Sofia, Academia Delle Belle Arts in Rome (as a stage designer) and Centro Sperimentale di Cinecitta (as a film actress). By that time I was in a hurry to work only as an actress, did 3 films with Fellini, and with Orson Welles, a TV Series as a lead “Polly in Venice”, another film with James Mason and more than 25 other lead actress parts in European Movies.
Came to USA at the age of 24. Became the Cabaret Diva and a singer in N.Y, Executive produced the movie “Union City” with Debbie Harry and Pat Benetar and was awarded “Best Support actress at Toronto Film Festival”.
Coming to L.A, I have been the guest star and recurring roles in series like “Just Shoot me”, “Gilmore Girls”, “Six Feet Under”, “Bold and Beautiful”, “Rough Road”, “The Night Shift”, “Aquarius”, “For All Mankind”.
In L.A and N.Y.C I did several of my One Woman Musical Comedy Shows in theaters and Cabarets. Some of my latest work was the show “Illusions” based on my CD “Illusions”, “Gypsy in my soul”. I am a chair of the SEEFest Film Festival and I have a number of charities organizations I belong to. Like SPCALA, David Aldridge Nursery in Nairobi, “Smile”, “Homeless Pets”, L.A Children’s Hospital, etc.
Most recent work: Was a supporting part in the series “Paul T Goldman” and I produced and stared in the short film “Sunny’s Closet” which went to different film festivals this year with acclaimed success. Now I am trying to develop it as a feature film and then a TV Series.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve overcome many obstacles in my way as an actress, especially the one about my accent. As I speak many languages and I always tried to remain true to myself, not become like everybody else. I still have an accent. But that makes me more unique and appreciated by the directors I’ve worked with. I just made it work for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In L.A and N.Y.C I did several of my One Woman Musical Comedy Shows in theaters and Cabarets. Some of my latest work was the show “Illusions” based on my CD “Illusions”, “Gypsy in my soul”. I am a chair of the SEEFest Film Festival and I have a number of charities organizations I belong to. Like SPCALA, David Aldridge Nursery in Nairobi, “Smile”, “Homeless Pets”, L.A Children’s Hospital, etc.
Most recent work: Was a supporting part in the series “Paul T Goldman” and I produced and stared in the short film “Sunny’s Closet” which went to different film festivals this year with acclaimed success. Now I am trying to develop it as a feature film and then a TV Series.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
All my life I’ve been taking risks, the first one was leaving my mother at the age of 10, then leaving Italy just when I became a name in the Italian movies, to move to the US and most recently producing a short film which now will become a feature. I guess I am always taking risks.
Pricing:
- I would like to have a copy of this magazine
Contact Info:
- Website: https://irinamaleeva.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irinamaleeva99/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063863284166
- Twitter: https://x.com/IMaleevaActor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qvTzlIrL18D6aqJ4pLDzQ
- Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm0539305?s=7ac80761-3746-bd07-89c6-f9591ba887cb&site_preference=normal
