“It’s a Wonderful Life’s” last surviving cast member, Argentina Brunetti, dies at 98.

December 20, 2005 (Press Release) -- ARGENTINA BRUNETTI passed away in her sleep on 20 December 2005, at the age of 98. She left us with the knowledge that she had fulfilled her dream of recounting the story of her theatrical family to the world and that her novel on this subject, “In Sicilian Company”, had finally been published. Among her last wishes were that proceeds of her book and any future related movie or TV mini series would go to the Argentina Brunetti Foundation to help needy children throughout the world. She also did not want to have her ‘Argentina Brunetti‘s Hollywood Stories’ weekly weblog stopped. Her son, Mario Brunetti, has promised his mother that all these programs will continue. Argentina’s entertainment legacy began in 1907 when she was born and baptized on the stage of the Arbeo Theater in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her dream of following in her mother’s footsteps as an actress would not be daunted and through tenacity and determination, she overcame many adversities in her long life, following that dream, first expressing her artistic attributes as a painter and pianist in school, then appearing in stage plays all over the world, voice synchronizing motion pictures in Hollywood, followed by her acting in movies, beginning with “It’s a Wonderful Life” and television, totalling one hundred and thirty five films. She was also a song writer, radio script writer and talk show host, Voice of America narrator, Hollywood Foreign Press journalist, author and even weblogger. She has been honoured for her artistic and journalistic achievements throughout her career and was awarded the title of Cavalier of the Republic by the government of Italy for her efforts in enhancing Italian – U.S. relations through her many positive film portrayals of Italians and Italian Americans. She has also been nominated for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout her life, Argentina always had a positive attitude and considered life a series of challenges where anything and everything was possible if one made the required efforts. She not only hoped for a better world, but did many things to make it happen and for this she will be truly missed by family and friends around the world. Argentina will rest in peace along side her husband Miro at Holy Cross Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.