Maria Caserini_

Maria Caserini (née Gasperini; 24 July 1884 – 15 April 1969) was an Italian stage and film actress, as well as a pioneer of filmmaking during the early 20th century. She often starred in adaptations of stage and film productions for the works of William Shakespeare. Born in Milan, she started acting in stage productions at a young age. Her first film was in 1906, in what is believed to be the earliest film adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, titled Otello, which was directed by her husband, Mario Caserini. She appeared in a film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet in 1907, along with appearing in another thirteen films through 1909.