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Actress and model Jo Champa was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, to an American mother and an Italian father. At seven, she moved to Rome, Italy, where she grew up. By the time she was eighteen, Jo had become one of Gianni Versace's favored runway models.
She also served as a muse to legendary photographer Helmut Newton, featuring in some of his most iconic photographs displayed in a permanent exhibit at the Museum in Berlin and in Newton's limited edition book, 'Sumo'. Jo has frequently been photographed by acclaimed photographer Douglas Kirkland and has appeared in several of his notable books.
Champa entered the film industry at eighteen with Claude d'Anna's French-Italian production, "Salome," which opened the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. She went on to star in prominent Italian films such as "Dolce assenza" by Claudio Sestieri, "The Family" by Ettore Scola—which received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film—"Le vie del Signore sono finite" by Massimo Troisi, and "Il sole buio" by Damiano Damiani. European directors consistently praised her for bringing an exotic, captivating Mediterranean presence to the screen.
At the height of her career, Jo returned to the U.S., starring in Steven Seagal's Out for Justice (1991), Michael Preece's Beretta's Island (1993), Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha (1993), and Jeremy Leven's Don Juan DeMarco (1994), where she acted alongside Marlon Brando and Johnny Depp. More recently, she appeared in Sofia Coppola's Somewhere (2010).
She has guest-starred on various television series, including Walker, Texas Ranger, Avvocati, and CSI: Miami. In Italy, she hosted the popular fashion TV show "Kermesse" for RAI TV.
Champa also contributed as a special editor and columnist for Italian Vogue and L'Uomo Vogue. Italian Vogue described her as "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."
Beyond modeling and acting, Champa has produced, hosted, and organized numerous remarkable events. She produced "An Academy Tribute to Sophia Loren" for the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, featuring Sophia Loren as a special guest. She also produced the launch of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, including a dinner and performance by Andrea Bocelli, and created the primetime special of this event for Italian Sky TV. Additionally, 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."
Jo is known for collaborating with luxury designer brands she consults for, aiming to boost their visibility in Hollywood while raising funds for causes such as Race to Erase MS, the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, and the Carousel of Hope for Juvenile Diabetes. She has also worked with the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum and the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation event at Christie's in New York.
For many years, Jo has partnered with Alice Harris, "Sweet Alice," a respected community leader in Watts, Los Angeles, supporting her annual Christmas toy drive for children affected by socioeconomic hardship. The Cambodian Children's Fund in Phnom Penh honored her fundraising efforts by naming a center "Jo's Kids."
Champa has received numerous awards throughout her career. At the Italian House of Representatives, in the presence of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, she was awarded the "Premio America - Fondazione Italia Usa." Earlier, she and Sophia Loren received the "Italians in the World Award." Jo also earned the "Cinema Italian Style Award."
Jo believes that "helping others is the gateway to becoming a better person." She has left a lasting mark on the film and television industries beyond the United States and Italy. Continually inspiring others through her humanitarian work, Jo Champa exemplifies what it means to make a genuine difference. With her elegant style and dedication to positive change, she remains a true icon and inspiration to those around her.
