Born in Naples, Italy, Polito started her career on stage with Eduardo De Filippo.

[1] She made her film debut in 1973, with Lina Wertmüller's Love and Anarchy, and for this performance she was awarded with a Nastro d'Argento for Best New Actress.

[1][2][3] Her other film credits included roles in All Screwed Up (1974), I'll Take Her Like a Father (1974), The Peaceful Age (1974), Salvo D'Acquisto (1975) and the Nazisploitation film Deported Women of the SS Special Section (1976).

In 1975 she acted in the TV mini-series Il marsigliese by Giacomo Battiato.

In 1983 she won a David di Donatello for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Massimo Troisi's Scusate il ritardo.