Stefania Rocca was born on April 24, 1971, in Turin, Italy, to a Fiat chief of security and a stylist. She began her early training in the arts at the Teatro Stabile di Torino, studying piano, singing, and dancing during her adolescence.
In the late 1980s, Rocca moved to Milan, where she pursued a career in modeling and enrolled in acting courses. Her big break came in 1993, when she received a scholarship to attend the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome.
Rocca's early film roles included Policemen and Nirvana, in which she played the iconic blue-haired character Naima. Her breakout performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Nastro d'Argento Awards.
In 1998, Rocca enrolled in a course at the Actors Studio in New York City, which led to her first main role in the controversial erotic thriller Viol@. Her performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Nastro d'Argento Awards.
Rocca's subsequent film roles included appearances in international productions such as The Talented Mr. Ripley, Love's Labour's Lost, Hotel, and Heaven. In 2003, she starred in the comedy Casomai, which became a commercial success in Italy and earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Nastro d'Argento and David di Donatello Awards.
In 2005, Rocca appeared in the Academy Award-nominated drama The Beast in the Heart, playing a blind lesbian, and earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the David di Donatello Awards. Since the mid-2000s, Rocca has primarily focused on television and stage work.
In her personal life, Rocca is married to her long-time partner Carlo Capasa, with whom she has two sons. The couple wed in a secretive ceremony in 2013, after being together since 2005.
Throughout her career, Rocca has demonstrated her versatility as an actress, taking on a wide range of roles in film, television, and theater. Her dedication to her craft has earned her numerous nominations and awards, solidifying her position as one of Italy's most respected actresses.
