Vincent D’Onofrio: Meet Greta Scacchi’s second husband

Greta Scacchi, celebrated for her remarkable acting career in films like “White Mischief,” is set to take on a new role in the West End, playing Hester Collyer in Terence Rattigan’s powerful drama “The Deep Blue Sea.” As the actress embarks on this new theatrical journey following a successful UK tour, she reveals that the part of Hester, an Establishment wife who abandons it all for a love destined to fail, mirrors her own life experiences and has been a cathartic process.

In a candid revelation, the 48-year-old actress opens up about her past heartbreak, which left her unable to work for four years during a crucial phase in her Hollywood career. The catalyst for this turbulent period in her life was her separation from American actor Vincent D’Onofrio, which occurred shortly after the birth of their first child in 1992.

Scacchi describes the anguish she felt during this tumultuous time, recalling her deep love for D’Onofrio, renowned for his role in Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.” She emphasizes how the relationship left her emotionally distraught, to the extent that it hindered her professional work, just as her Hollywood career was gaining momentum.

Speaking about her rehearsals with director Edward Hall for “The Deep Blue Sea,” Scacchi shares, “With Rattigan, the convention is you keep a stiff upper lip and nobody shows any emotion. But he got us to really plumb the depths of these emotions and use our own stories. It was quite a cathartic experience.”

She goes on to reflect on the connection between the character of Hester and her own experiences, saying, “I felt I had reawakened stuff in my own situation of overwhelming sexual passion that was unrequited. It was very, very painful and quite scarring.”

Greta Scacchi’s personal experiences have profoundly influenced her portrayal of Hester, a character who grapples with the agonizing pain of love that is never fully realized. She believes that this role has allowed her to channel her past struggles and use them as a source of inspiration for her performance.

In the midst of the emotional turmoil and career challenges she faced, Scacchi felt triumphant after embracing the cathartic experience of portraying Hester. She mentions receiving numerous letters and rave reviews, which she hopes will pave the way for further success. The actress had often felt that her physical beauty had sometimes overshadowed her talents on the British theater scene, but she now sees a new ray of hope.

Greta Scacchi also highlights her satisfaction with her current role, emphasizing its significance. “This is the biggest and best role I’ve ever had,” she declares. In her own words, “Maybe it’s the chance for me to prove I have the qualifications.”

Reflecting on her personal life, she shares that she may not be the same youthful, attractive figure from her past, but she is content in her current life. She has found happiness in West Sussex with her husband, who happens to be her first cousin, Carlo Mantegazza. The couple has a son named Matteo.

“The Deep Blue Sea” is a play inspired by Terence Rattigan’s own experiences and relationships, exploring a love story against the backdrop of the social constraints of 1952 when homosexuality was illegal. It is a powerful and poignant tale, and Greta Scacchi’s portrayal of Hester is set to captivate audiences in the heart of London’s West End.

Don’t miss “The Deep Blue Sea” at the Vaudeville Theatre, running from April 29 to July 19, where Greta Scacchi’s transformative performance is bound to leave a lasting impact on theater enthusiasts.