Here are 10 famous actors from Italy were born in 1917:
Giuseppe De Santis (February 11, 1917 Fondi-May 16, 1997 Rome) also known as Giuseppe De Sanctis, Gino de Sanctis or Joe de Santis was an Italian film director, screenwriter, actor and writer. He had one child, Luisa De Santis.
De Santis was born in Fondi, a town in the Italian region of Lazio. He studied at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome, where he later became a professor. He began his career as a screenwriter in the 1940s, working on films such as Caccia tragica (1947) and Bitter Rice (1949), which he co-wrote with writer and director Luchino Visconti.
In the 1950s, De Santis shifted his focus to directing and made a name for himself in the Italian Neorealist movement with films such as Tragic Hunt (Caccia tragica, 1947) and Bitter Rice (Riso amaro, 1949). His work reflected the social and political issues of post-World War II Italy, depicting the struggles of working-class people and the poverty and inequality they faced.
De Santis received critical acclaim for his 1952 film Roma ore 11, which won the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. He continued to direct films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with notable titles including Non c'è pace tra gli ulivi (1950) and La strada lunga un anno (1958).
In addition to his work as a director, De Santis was also an accomplished actor, appearing in films such as Senza pietà (1948) and I vitelloni (1953). He also wrote several books, including a memoir titled A Rose for De Santis.
De Santis died on May 16, 1997, in Rome, at the age of 80. Despite his significant contributions to Italian cinema, his work remains relatively unknown outside of Italy.
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Leopoldo Trieste (May 3, 1917 Reggio Calabria-January 25, 2003 Rome) also known as Leopold Trieste was an Italian actor, screenwriter, film director and playwright.
Leopoldo Trieste had a long and impressive career in the Italian film industry. He appeared in over a hundred films, working with some of the biggest names in Italian cinema, including Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, and Michelangelo Antonioni. Trieste was known for his versatility as an actor, adept at both dramatic roles and comedic performances. In addition to his work in front of the camera, Trieste also wrote screenplays and directed several films. Later in his career, he turned his attention to the theater and was also a prolific playwright. Trieste passed away in Rome in 2003 at the age of 85, having left a lasting mark on Italian culture and cinema.
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Adolfo Consolini (January 5, 1917 Costermano-December 20, 1969 Milan) also known as Dolfo was an Italian actor. His child is called Sergio Consolini.
However, Adolfo Consolini is most recognized for his athletic achievements in the discus throw. He competed in four Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in the 1948 London Olympics and a bronze medal in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He also won gold medals in the 1950 and 1954 European Championships. In addition to his successful athletic career, Consolini also worked as a coach and sports journalist.
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Aroldo Tieri (August 28, 1917 Corigliano Calabro-December 28, 2006 Rome) was an Italian actor.
He appeared in over 90 films throughout his career, including La Dolce Vita, The Leopard, and Big Deal on Madonna Street. Tieri was popular in the 1950s and 1960s for his roles in romantic comedies and dramas. He often portrayed charming and handsome characters. In addition to film, Tieri also worked in theater and television. He was married to actress Anna Maria Ferrero from 1948 until her death in 2004.
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Armando Trovajoli (September 2, 1917 Rome-March 1, 2013 Rome) also known as Francis Berman, A. Trovaioli, R. Vatro, Roman Vatro, Armando Torovaioli, Armando Tovaioli, Armando Trovadoli, Trovaioli or Armando Trovaioli was an Italian film score composer, pianist, conductor, composer and actor. He had five children, Howard Andrew Trovaioli, Piergiorgio Trovaioli, Graziella Trovaioli, Maurizio Trovaioli and Marina Ubalda Trovaioli.
Trovajoli was a prolific composer, having written over three hundred film scores over the course of his career, which spanned more than four decades. Some of his most famous works include the scores for films such as "Two Women," "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," and "Il Postino." In addition to his work in film, Trovajoli was also a successful composer of popular music, and his songs were recorded by some of the biggest names in Italian music, including Mina and Ornella Vanoni. He also worked as a conductor, leading performances of both classical and popular music. Trovajoli was a recipient of several awards for his work, including the prestigious Nastro d'Argento for Best Score. He passed away in Rome in 2013 at the age of 95.
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Steno (January 19, 1917 Rome-March 13, 1988 Rome) also known as Stefano Vanzini or Stefano Vanzina was an Italian film director, screenwriter, actor, writer and cinematographer. He had two children, Carlo Vanzina and Enrico Vanzina.
Steno began his career in the Italian film industry in the 1940s working as a screenwriter for comedies. He went on to direct his first film "Toto cerca casa" in 1949, which starred the renowned Italian actor Toto. Steno became known for his work on Italian comedies and worked frequently with Toto, directing him in several films throughout the 1950s. He also directed films for other well-known Italian comedians such as Alberto Sordi and Vittorio De Sica.
In addition to his work in the film industry, Steno was also a successful author, writing several books including a collection of short stories titled "Cinque uomini e una mosca" and a novel titled "La giacca verde". In the 1970s, Steno began to shift his focus towards television, working as a director and writer for various Italian television programs.
Steno continued to work in the Italian film industry until his death in 1988 at the age of 71. He left behind a legacy as a prominent figure in Italian cinema and is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Italian comedy.
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Gianni Agus (August 17, 1917 Cagliari-March 4, 1994 Rome) also known as Giovanni Battista Agus was an Italian actor. He had one child, David Agus.
Agus began his acting career on stage in the 1940s but later transitioned to film and television. He appeared in over 130 films throughout his career, including Federico Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" (1960) and "Amarcord" (1973). He was known for his versatility, playing both comedic and dramatic roles. In addition to his acting career, Agus was also a voice actor, dubbing foreign films into Italian. He was awarded the Golden Ciak Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1987 for his role in "The Family". Despite his success, Agus remained a humble and down-to-earth person. He passed away in Rome at the age of 76 and is remembered as one of Italy's great character actors.
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Massimo Dallamano (April 17, 1917 Milan-November 4, 1976 Rome) a.k.a. Max Dillman, Max Dillmann, Jack Dalmas or Max Dallamano was an Italian film director, screenwriter, cinematographer and actor.
He began his career as a camera operator and worked on several notable films such as Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars. In the 1960s, he started directing his own films and became known for his work in the erotic and giallo genres. Some of his most famous films include What Have You Done to Solange?, Venus in Furs and The Night Child. In addition to directing, Dallamano also wrote the screenplays for many of his films and served as cinematographer on several others. He tragically died in a car accident in 1976 at the age of 59.
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Ugo Bologna (September 11, 1917 Milan-January 29, 1998 Rome) also known as Hugo Bologna was an Italian actor and voice actor.
He began his acting career in the 1940s, appearing in several Italian films. Bologna was also a talented voice actor, and dubbed the likes of James Mason and Marlon Brando into Italian. He was known for his roles in films such as "The Big Gundown" (1966) and "A Fistful of Dollars" (1964), and he worked with legendary director Federico Fellini on several occasions, including the film "La Dolce Vita" (1960). In addition to his film work, Bologna also appeared on television and stage, and continued acting until his death in 1998.
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Ubaldo Lay (April 14, 1917 Rome-September 27, 1984 Rome) also known as Ubaldo Laj was an Italian actor and voice actor.
He began his acting career in the 1940s and appeared in a wide range of films throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Lay was particularly known for his work as a voice actor, dubbing foreign films into Italian. He lent his voice to many popular films, including Sergio Leone's "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "A Fistful of Dollars". His deep, distinctive voice made him a sought-after talent in the film industry. In addition to his work on screen, Lay was also an accomplished stage actor, and he appeared in numerous plays throughout his career. Despite his success, Lay remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He passed away in Rome in 1984, leaving behind a legacy as one of Italy's most beloved actors.
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