Giulietta Masina Is Dead At 74; Fellini's Wife And Leading Lady

ROME - Giulietta Masina, the wife and leading lady of late movie director Federico Fellini, died today. She was 74.

Ms. Masina was being treated for a tumor at a clinic in Rome, the Italian news agency ANSA said. The clinic did not immediately confirm her death.

The wide-eyed actress appeared in some of Fellini's best-known films, including "La Strada," "The Nights of Cabiria" and "Juliet of the Spirits." She returned in 1985 to star with Marcello Mastroianni in Fellini's "Ginger and Fred."

Fellini died last October after a stroke.

Ms. Masina's best-known role was as Gelsomina, the waif who became the exploited companion of circus strongman Anthony Quinn in "La Strada," which won an Oscar as best foreign film.