[1] Born in Bolzano, Piccolo began her acting debut in the stage adaption of The Miracle Worker at the age of 11 under the direction of Luigi Squarzina.

In 1964, she met Giorgio Strehler who directed the stage adaptations of Brawling in Chioggia and King Lear, both of which she appeared in.

Two years later, she appeared in The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot directed by Nina Companeez.

Piccolo returned to Italian television with the series Chiara e gli altri in which she portrayed Livia Malfatti.

She is internationally known for providing the Italian voice of Princess Leia Organa (portrayed by Carrie Fisher) in the Star Wars franchise.