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Jo Champa
Jo Champa
Jo Champa
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Rosina Jo Champa (born January 23, 1968) is an actress, producer and model.

Key Information

Champa was born in 1968 in Long Branch, New Jersey, but grew up in Rome, Italy. She became a model there as a teenager. Before the age of 18, she was already one of Gianni Versace's favorite models.[1] As such she turned to the Italian film industry in 1986, with various screen acting assignments, for directors including Claude d'Anna (Salome, 1986), Ettore Scola (The Family, 1987), Massimo Troisi (Le vie del Signore sono finite, 1987), and Damiano Damiani (Il Sole Buio, 1990). At the pinnacle of her career, Champa returned to the United States, starring in Steven Seagal's Out for Justice (1991), followed two years later by Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha (1993), and then Don Juan DeMarco (1994) by Jeremy Leven.

In 1998, she married Joseph Farrell, a Hollywood producer and marketer and an influential member of the Academy. Later in the ‘90s, she mostly worked for television guest starring in TV series such as Walker, Texas Ranger, JAG, and CSI: Miami.[2] Champa can also be found in Helmut Newton's book Sumo where he found her to be one of his favorite models.[2]

In 2004 after many in vitro cycles she and her husband had a son, Sean Farrell.

Most recently, she was in Somewhere (2010), directed by Sofia Coppola.

In Italy, she has hosted the very successful fashion TV show for RAI TV, Kermesse.[3] Champa has also served as special contributing editor and columnist for the Italian edition of Vogue and L'Uomo Vogue.

Italian Vogue has written that "She is an icon of Italian style. We love her because she is a refined and creative woman, a tireless supporter of Italian cinema and culture in the United States."[1]

She received the America Award of the Italy-USA Foundation in 2009.

She has produced for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences the tribute event "An Academy Tribute to Sophia Loren", with special guest Sophia Loren, with Billy Crystal hosting John Travolta, Christian De Sica and Rob Marshall among many others.[4]

In December 2011, she produced the launch of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, with a dinner and special performance starring Andrea Bocelli. She was the producer of the prime-time special of that same event for Sky Italia.[5]

In June 2012, she hosted and moderated a Special Evening for David and Susan Rockefeller at MOMA in New York presenting Susan Rockefeller's documentary, Mission of Mermaids.[6]

In September 2015, she hosted the gala evening for Sky Italy of Andrea Bocelli's charitable foundation in Florence, Italy.

In 2016, she created, co-wrote, co-produced and hosted "Jo's Hollywood" for the TV channel SkyCinema in Italy from February 20 until the 28th it ran every day and was extremely successful in its ratings, a docu-reality about the history of Hollywood up until the Oscars.

It ran a second season in 2017, again on SKYCinema in Italy.

On July 28, 2019, Jo Champa was the emcee for “Celebrity Fight Night in Italy” working once again with “the Andrea Bocelli Foundation” at The Bocelli home in Forte dei Marmi Italy.

References

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Jo Champa

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from Grokipedia
Jo Champa (born Rosina Jo Champa, January 23, 1968) is an American-Italian actress, model, producer, and fashion contributor recognized for her roles in international cinema, her prominence in the modeling world, and her involvement in high-profile events and publications. Born in , to an American mother and an Italian father, she relocated to , , at age seven, where she began her career as a teenager modeling for designers like and serving as a muse to photographer , whose images of her are featured in the Museum and his book . Champa's acting career debuted with the 1986 film , which premiered at the , followed by notable roles in Italian productions such as The Family (1987), an Academy Award-nominated drama directed by , and international features including (1991) with , (1993) directed by , and (1994) alongside and . She has also appeared in television series like and , and continued acting in later projects such as Somewhere (2010) directed by and Olivia (2021). Beyond performing, Champa has produced events including "An Academy Tribute to " and a gala for the Foundation in 2015, while hosting the fashion program Kermesse on Italy's RAI network. In the fashion industry, Champa served as a celebrity contributing editor and columnist for and L'Uomo Vogue starting in 2008, covering Hollywood and international style. Italian Vogue has described her as "an icon of Italian style" for her refined and creative influence. Her accolades include the "Premio America" award and the "Cinema Italian Style Award," reflecting her enduring impact on cross-cultural entertainment and luxury sectors.

Early life and education

Birth and family background

Jo Champa, born Rosina Jo Champa, entered the world on January 23, 1968, in . Her family background reflected a blend of American and Italian heritage, with an American mother and an Italian father originating from Amaroni in .

Relocation to Italy and schooling

At the age of seven in 1975, Jo Champa relocated from , to , , accompanying her father, who returned to his native country to practice as a cardiothoracic surgeon after emigrating to the earlier in life. This move was influenced by her bicultural family heritage, with her Italian father hailing from Amaroni in . In , Champa adapted to Italian daily life and culture, growing up immersed in the city's historic and social environment while maintaining ties to her American roots through her mother. For her , Champa attended Nazareno, a in emphasizing , languages, and ancient studies. She completed her studies there. Champa later studied psychology at Sapienza University of Rome.

Modeling career

Discovery as a teenager

Jo Champa entered the modeling industry as a teenager in Rome, where she had relocated with her family at the age of seven. She was discovered at the age of 14 by a photographer in Italy. This marked the beginning of her professional journey in Italy's dynamic modeling scene. Following her discovery, Champa quickly transitioned into early professional work, collaborating with local photographers to build her initial portfolio. Before turning 18, she had already established herself as a promising talent, appearing in Italian television commercials and gaining recognition within the European fashion circuit. Her rapid ascent provided opportunities to navigate the demands of a burgeoning career in one of Europe's key fashion hubs. As a young model in , Champa faced the typical rigors of the industry, including the need to adapt to professional expectations in a competitive environment, while her early successes opened doors to broader international exposure in the world. By her late teens, she had become a favored model for influential designers, solidifying her entry into the profession.

Key modeling work and collaborations

Champa established herself as one of Gianni 's most trusted models in the mid-1980s, frequently walking in his shows that showcased the designer's signature bold prints and luxurious silhouettes. Her favored status with Versace extended to print work, where she embodied the brand's provocative and glamorous ethos in editorial features and advertisements during this period. Based in , Champa's collaborations with Versace positioned her at the forefront of Milan's vibrant landscape, contributing to her visibility among international designers and photographers. Beyond , Champa participated in notable photoshoots across Europe in the late 1980s, including a striking session with renowned Helmut Newton at the Chelsea Hotel in New York in 1988. This collaboration, captured in Newton's iconic style of dramatic black-and-white imagery, highlighted her as a muse and appeared in his influential portfolio. Images from this session and others of her are housed in the Helmut Newton Foundation in and featured in his limited-edition book . Other assignments in during the decade involved emerging Italian labels and magazine editorials, though specifics remain tied to the era's fast-paced modeling circuit. These modeling endeavors solidified Champa's public image as an emblem of Italian glamour and international allure, directly facilitating her pivot to the entertainment industry by the late . Her poised presence on runways and in prints not only elevated Versace's campaigns but also attracted attention from filmmakers seeking fresh talent with established poise.

Acting career

Early roles in Italian cinema

Champa made her cinematic debut at age 18 in the 1986 Italian-French drama Salomè, directed by Claude d'Anna, portraying the titular character in an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's play of the same name. The film, produced by The Cannon Group, featured Champa performing the iconic in a story centered on the biblical tale of Herod's court, marking her transition from modeling to under the guidance of established European filmmakers. Her breakthrough role came in Ettore Scola's La famiglia (1987), an Italian drama nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, where she played the young Adriana in a multigenerational spanning 80 years. Collaborating with Scola, a prominent figure in Italian cinema known for his insightful portrayals of social history, Champa contributed to the ensemble cast alongside and , filmed primarily in a single Roman house to emphasize the family's enduring dynamics. Champa's rising status in European cinema was further solidified that same year with her role as Vittoria in Massimo Troisi's comedy-drama Le vie del Signore sono finite, a poignant tale set in 1920s about and loss. Working with Troisi, a celebrated Neapolitan director and actor, highlighted her versatility in blending dramatic and comedic elements during this formative period of her career.

Transition to Hollywood films

At the peak of her career in modeling and Italian films, Jo Champa returned to the in the early and transitioned to Hollywood cinema with a supporting role in the action thriller (1991), directed by John Flynn. In the film, she portrayed Vicky Felino, the wife of Brooklyn detective Gino Felino (played by ), whose personal life becomes entangled in her husband's vengeful pursuit of a responsible for his partner's . The movie emphasized gritty urban action and Seagal's prowess, grossing over $40 million worldwide, though it garnered mixed critical reception with a 23% approval rating on , praised for its high-energy sequences but critiqued for formulaic storytelling. Champa continued her Hollywood ascent with a role in Bernardo Bertolucci's philosophical drama (1993), where she played Maria, a supporting character in the modern Western narrative strand that contrasts the historical tales of Siddhartha's enlightenment and the search for the , highlighting themes of and cultural intersection. The epic received acclaim for its and cross-cultural exploration, achieving a 63% score and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score. In 1994, Champa appeared in two diverse projects that showcased her versatility. She played Annie, the pet shop owner who becomes involved in the chaos surrounding a thieving adopted by a young girl, in the family comedy , directed by . The film, aimed at younger audiences, earned a moderate 50% on , noted for its lighthearted charm despite uneven pacing. Later that year, in Jeremy Leven's , she portrayed Sultana Gulbeyaz, one of the exotic women in the titular character's legendary amorous adventures, recounted during his psychiatric evaluation; this supporting part adds to the film's lush, dreamlike vignettes opposite leads and . The movie was favorably reviewed for its whimsical romance and strong performances, holding a 69% rating and earning praise as a heartfelt exploration of love and illusion. Champa maintained her Hollywood presence into the early 2000s with roles in independent features, including Maria in the ensemble The Whole Shebang (2001), directed by George Zaloom, where her character navigates romantic entanglements amid a Italian-American fireworks manufacturing family's personal dramas. The film received modest attention, with a 39% score, appreciated for its quirky humor but faulted for narrative sprawl. She followed this with Consuela, the family's housekeeper, in the black comedy The Mesmerist (2002), directed by Gil Cates Jr., contributing to the story's satirical take on greed and deception involving a hypnotist's scheme on a dying patriarch. The low-budget production had limited theatrical release and mixed reviews, with Variety noting its twisted premise but uneven execution. These later works underscored Champa's ongoing involvement in American cinema, blending drama, comedy, and character-driven narratives.

Television and later roles

Following her prominent roles in Hollywood films during the 1990s, Champa shifted focus to television, taking on guest appearances in several American and Italian series. In 1994, she portrayed Marie in the episode "The Road to Black Bayou" of , a crime drama series where she appeared alongside as part of a storyline involving a vacation turned investigation into a drug operation. Five years later, in 1999, Champa guest-starred as Teresa Marcello in the JAG episode "Soul Searching," playing a character connected to a CIA agent's kidnapping in , highlighting her ability to blend international intrigue with . Champa continued her television work into the with roles in both U.S. and Italian productions. She appeared as Angela Bessi in the 1998 Italian miniseries Avvocati, a legal comedy-drama that explored dynamics and personal lives of lawyers. In 2007, she took on the role of Beutefeldt in the miniseries , a thriller about a viral outbreak in , where her character succumbed to the off-screen, contributing to the ensemble's depiction of crisis. One of her notable American TV credits came in 2009, when she played Adrianna Villani in the episode "Delko for the Defense," portraying a in a high-stakes investigation tied to a defense attorney's dilemma. Post-2000s, Champa's acting became more selective, with sparse but meaningful appearances reflecting her Italian roots and occasional returns to the screen. She also appeared as Pupi's Wife in Sofia Coppola's Somewhere (2010), a drama about a fading Hollywood actor. In the 2021 Italian film Olivia, she portrayed Suor Elisa (Nurse Elisa), a supporting role in a about an aspiring actor's online encounter, underscoring her continued presence in contemporary European cinema. These later projects demonstrate Champa's deliberate choice of roles that align with her bilingual heritage, moving away from frequent television commitments toward more occasional, character-driven work.

Producing and media ventures

Production projects and events

Champa married Hollywood producer and marketer Joseph Farrell in 1998. She became involved in production projects beginning in 2011. In 2011, Champa produced the inaugural launch event for the Foundation at Hotel in , which included a performance by Bocelli, a dinner, and live and silent auctions to support global philanthropic initiatives. She also produced a primetime special of the event for Italian television on Sky TV. That same year, she produced "An Academy Tribute to " for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a gala honoring the legendary actress that featured clips from her career, tributes from , and appearances by guests including and . In 2016, Champa co-produced the docu-reality series Jo's Hollywood, an eight-episode exploration of Hollywood's history through interviews, archival footage, and behind-the-scenes visits to studios like Paramount. The series aired daily on Oscar and 1 in from February 20 to 27, coinciding with the Oscars.

Editorial roles and other media work

In 2008, Jo Champa was appointed as celebrity contributing editor for Vogue Italia and L'Uomo Vogue, where she contributed columns covering Hollywood, New York, and Washington cultural scenes. Her role involved providing insights into American entertainment and fashion from a transatlantic perspective, leveraging her background in modeling and to bridge Italian and U.S. media landscapes. In , she hosted the fashion television program Kermesse on . has also taken on advisory positions in luxury marketing, including a creative consulting role with starting in September 2023, where she collaborates on strategies to integrate artistry, performance, and high-end hospitality experiences. This work emphasizes enhancing brand visibility through innovative event curation and cultural programming tailored to elite audiences. Beyond writing and consulting, Champa has hosted and organized numerous high-profile events celebrating Italian heritage and global talent. Notable examples include the 2011 Academy tribute to at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, which featured film clips and tributes to honor the icon's career, and the 2011 gala for that blended music, , and celebrity appearances. She has similarly moderated events like a 2012 presentation for the family's "Mission of Mermaids" initiative at the in New York, focusing on environmental advocacy through interactive discussions.

Personal life

Marriage and relationships

Champa had a romantic relationship with Italian and director in the late 1980s, during which they collaborated on the film Le vie del Signore sono finite (1987), where she portrayed his love interest. In 1998, Champa married Joseph Farrell, a prominent Hollywood producer, marketer, and founder of the National Research Group, a leading film research firm. The couple resided in , marking Champa's relocation from to the . Their marriage lasted until Farrell's death from natural causes on December 7, 2011, at age 76. The couple attended major events together, including the in 2004.

Family and residence

Champa and her husband, Joseph Farrell, welcomed their son, Sean Farrell, in 2004. Following their marriage, Champa and Farrell resided in , where they raised their family. Following Farrell's death on December 7, 2011, and her son Sean remained in their Bel Air home. In a public statement following the , expressed gratitude for the support received, noting that the outpouring of cards, flowers, food, and calls had "warmed their hearts at this difficult time in their life." As of , the Bel Air property was sold.

Awards and honors

Major recognitions

Jo Champa has received formal recognition for her work bridging Italian and American cinema, as well as her producing efforts in honoring key figures in the industry. In 2009, she was honored with the America Award from the Italy-USA Foundation during its inaugural ceremony at the Italian House of Representatives in . This award acknowledges individuals who have significantly advanced cultural, economic, and social relations between and the ; Champa was recognized alongside recipients including actress and singer Maria Laura Baccarini, SkyTg24 editor Emilio Carelli, and former Italian Foreign Minister . Champa also earned acclaim for her producing role in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 2011 tribute to , co-organized with emcee . The event, held at the in Beverly Hills, featured film clips and tributes celebrating Loren's career, underscoring Champa's influence in facilitating high-profile showcases of Italian cinematic heritage in Hollywood. She has also received the Cinema Italian Style Award for her contributions to Italian cinema.

Philanthropic contributions

Champa has demonstrated a commitment to through her support of various al, , and cultural initiatives, often drawing on her Italian-American heritage. In 2011, she co-produced the launch event for the Foundation at Hotel in , which featured a dinner, concert, and auctions to benefit the organization's humanitarian efforts in , care, and alleviation in and beyond. Her charitable activities extend to donations supporting youth education and community integration. As a parent at , a nonprofit serving students with and related learning differences, Champa contributed financially and highlighted the institution's role in blending Italian and American cultures for her family, modeling in education for her son. She has also donated to , providing between $5,000 and $9,999 in fiscal year 2020 to support pediatric care and research. Following the death of her husband, Joseph Farrell, in 2011, Champa continued her giving to health and humanitarian causes, including contributions to USA for global child welfare programs. She has supported Alzheimer's Los Angeles through donations aiding care and research for affected families. Additionally, Champa serves as a board member of Street Soccer USA, a nonprofit that uses soccer to empower homeless and underserved youth. These efforts reflect her ongoing dedication to community-building and humanitarian causes, particularly those fostering cultural ties and support for vulnerable populations.

References

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  10. https://www.catanzarocitymagazine.it/en/blog-detail/post/271672/there-are-many-famous-people-in-their-respective-fields-who-were-born-in-catanzaro-or-in-the-province-itself-and-are-also-quite
  11. https://www.cinquantamila.it/storyTellerArticolo.php?storyId=4fc2d40eb3443
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