Here are 14 famous actors from Italy were born in 1921:
Yves Montand (October 13, 1921 Monsummano Terme-November 9, 1991 Senlis) also known as Yves Montad, Y.Montant or Ivo Livi was an Italian actor, singer and hairdresser. He had one child, Valentin Montand.
Montand was born into a family of Italian immigrants who settled in France. After dropping out of school, he worked various jobs including as a delivery boy and a laborer at a Renault factory. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for theater, and began taking acting lessons.
Montand's big break came when he was discovered by French filmmaker Marcel Carné, who gave him a small role in the film "Jenny" (1936). He went on to appear in a number of films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including "The Battle of the Rails" (1946) and "The Wages of Fear" (1953).
In addition to his film career, Montand was also a successful singer, known for his interpretations of French chanson and American jazz standards. He was married to French actress Simone Signoret for 33 years until her death in 1985.
Montand continued to act and perform throughout his life, winning numerous awards for his work. He died in 1991 of a heart attack while rehearsing for a new show.
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Nino Manfredi (March 22, 1921 Castro dei Volsci-June 4, 2004 Rome) otherwise known as Saturnino Manfredi was an Italian actor, screenwriter, film director, voice actor, writer and singer. He had four children, Luca Manfredi, Roberta Manfredi, Tonina Manfredi and Giovanna Manfredi.
Manfredi began his career as a stage actor in the early 1940s, performing in both comedies and dramas. He soon transitioned to film and became one of Italy's most popular actors during the 1960s and 70s, known for his versatility and ability to play comedic and dramatic roles with equal skill. Manfredi's best-known films include "The Organizer" (1963), "We All Loved Each Other So Much" (1974), and "My Friends" (1975). He also directed several films, including "Per Grazia Ricevuta" (1971), which won him a David di Donatello award for Best Director. In addition to acting, Manfredi was a passionate advocate for social justice and was involved in several left-wing political movements throughout his career.
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Jake LaMotta (July 10, 1921 The Bronx-) a.k.a. The Raging Bull, The Bronx Bull, Giacobe LaMotta, Jack, Bronx Bull, The Evil Cat, Jake La Motta or Jake Lamotta is an Italian professional boxer, actor and screenwriter. He has four children, Joseph LaMotta, Jake LaMotta, Jr., Christi and Stephanie.
LaMotta is best known for his boxing career, having won the world middleweight championship in 1949. He compiled a record of 83 wins, 19 losses, and 4 draws, with 30 wins coming by way of knockout. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
LaMotta's life and career inspired the 1980 biographical film "Raging Bull", directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro as LaMotta. The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for De Niro's portrayal of LaMotta.
After retiring from boxing, LaMotta became an actor and screenwriter. He appeared in several films, including "The Hustler" and "The Bronx Bull", and wrote two books, "Raging Bull: My Story" and "Jake LaMotta: The Bronx Bull".
Throughout his life, LaMotta faced various legal and personal issues. He served time in prison for various offenses and struggled with alcoholism. However, he remained a popular and respected figure in the boxing world and beyond until his death in 2017 at the age of 95.
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Vittorio Caprioli (August 15, 1921 Naples-October 2, 1989 Naples) also known as Caprioli was an Italian actor, film director and screenwriter.
Caprioli began his career as an actor in the 1940s and went on to appear in over 60 films throughout his career, including L'avventura (1960), Il sorpasso (1962) and La decima vittima (1965). In addition to his acting work, Caprioli also directed several films, including Il sole è di tutti (1968) and La più bella serata della mia vita (1972). He was known for his versatile talent, often playing both comedic and dramatic roles with ease. Caprioli was also politically active and was a member of the Italian Communist Party. He passed away in 1989 at the age of 68.
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Turi Ferro (January 10, 1921 Catania-May 11, 2001 Sant'Agata li Battiati) also known as Salvatore Ferro was an Italian actor.
Born in Catania, Sicily, Turi Ferro began his acting career in the 1950s performing on stage and in films. He was a prolific actor, appearing in over 100 films and television shows. He was known for his roles in Italian comedies and dramas, and was a popular actor in his home country. Ferro worked with some of Italy's most renowned directors, including Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, and Bernardo Bertolucci. In addition to his work in film and theater, Ferro was also a respected voice actor, dubbing foreign films and TV shows into Italian. He continued to work until his death in 2001 at the age of 80.
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Piero Regnoli (July 19, 1921 Rome-April 27, 2001 Rome) also known as Dean Craig, Martin Andrews, Mario Pierotti, Peter Lombard or Pietro Regnoli was an Italian screenwriter, film director, actor, film producer and production designer. He had one child, Daniela Regnoli.
Regnoli's career spanned over 50 years during which he worked on over 100 films. He began his career in the Italian film industry during the 1940s as a production secretary and later contributed to the screenplay of the film "Il Bandito" (1946). Regnoli is best known for his work as a screenwriter on two macaroni combat films, "The Dirty Dozen: The Next Mission" and "The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission" both released in 1985. He also produced the film "Buddy Goes West" (1981) and directed the film "Colpo di stato" (1966).
In addition to his film work, Regnoli was also a prolific writer of novels, plays and essays. His novels "Le Foreste Delle Tigri" (The Forests of the Tigers) and "Icenhower Dollar" both published in the 1970s were highly regarded by critics.
Regnoli was honored with several awards during his lifetime. He received a special mention at the Venice Film Festival in 1955 for his screenplay contribution in the film "La corda di sabbia" and was nominated for a David di Donatello Award in 1982 for his work as a producer for "Buddy Goes West".
Regnoli passed away in Rome in 2001, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most prominent figures in Italian cinema.
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Renato Baldini (December 18, 1921 Rome-July 5, 1995 Rome) also known as King Mac Queen, Ryan Baldwyn or Rene Baldwin was an Italian actor.
He began his acting career in the 1940s and appeared in over 100 films throughout his career. Baldini was known for his versatility and often played supporting roles, though he also had several leading roles. His notable films include "Roma città libera" (1946), "The Nights of Cabiria" (1957) and "Il Posto" (1961).
In addition to his film work, Baldini was also active in theater and television. He was a member of the prestigious Teatro Stabile di Roma and appeared in several popular Italian TV shows.
Baldini was also known for his work as a voice actor, dubbing foreign films into Italian. He lent his voice to many iconic Hollywood actors, including Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, and James Dean.
Throughout his career, Baldini received several awards and nominations for his work in both film and theater. He was recognized for his contributions to Italian cinema and is considered a beloved figure in the industry.
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Fausto Tozzi (October 29, 1921 Rome-December 10, 1978 Rome) also known as Frank Ross was an Italian screenwriter and actor.
Tozzi began his career in the film industry as an assistant director and screenwriter in the 1940s. He worked on popular films such as "Toto Le Moko" and "Caccia alla Volpe". In the 1950s, Tozzi transitioned into acting and appeared in over 30 films throughout his career. He often played supporting roles in popular Italian comedies and dramas such as "I Soliti Ignoti" and "Fantasia 2000". In addition to his work in film, Tozzi also wrote several novels and short stories. He was married to fellow actress and screenwriter, Rossana Podestà. Tozzi passed away in 1978 at the age of 57 due to heart complications.
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Carlo Taranto (October 18, 1921 Naples-April 4, 1986 Naples) was an Italian actor. He had one child, Corrado Taranto.
Carlo Taranto was born on October 18, 1921, in the city of Naples, Italy. As a young man, he developed a keen interest in acting, and he began his career on the stage. He later moved to Rome, where he continued to work in theater and eventually made his way into Italian cinema.
Over the course of his career, Taranto appeared in dozens of films, including such classics as "La ciociara" (1960), "Il Gattopardo" (1963), and "La notte" (1961). He was widely regarded as a talented and versatile actor, equally comfortable in comic and dramatic roles.
In addition to his work in film, Taranto also had a successful career in television, appearing in numerous popular shows in Italy during the 1970s and 1980s.
Taranto was married and had one son, Corrado Taranto, who also went on to become an actor. Carlo Taranto passed away on April 4, 1986, in his hometown of Naples, Italy, leaving behind a rich legacy in Italian cinema and theater.
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Frank De Felitta (August 3, 1921 New York City-) also known as Frank DeFelitta or Frank DeFellitta is an Italian screenwriter, television director, television producer, film director, author and actor. His children are called Raymond De Felitta and Ivy Jones.
De Felitta is best known for his work as an author and screenwriter. Some of his most famous works include the novel "Audrey Rose" and the screenplay for the film adaptation. He also wrote and directed the horror film "The Entity" and the television thriller "Dark Night of the Scarecrow." De Felitta won an Emmy Award for his work on the television miniseries "Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess."
De Felitta's talents extended beyond writing and directing. He was also an accomplished actor and appeared in several films throughout his career, including "The Glass Menagerie" and "The Great White Hope." Additionally, De Felitta worked in theater as a playwright and director. His play "One Night Stand" received critical acclaim and was performed on Broadway.
Throughout his prolific career, De Felitta demonstrated a deep passion for storytelling and creative expression in all its forms. He continued to work well into his 80s before passing away in 2016 at the age of 94.
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Pasquale Cajano (August 19, 1921 Italy-October 24, 2000) a.k.a. Pasquale Cagiano was an Italian actor. His children are called Maria Minasso and Vincent Cajano.
Cajano started his career in the Italian film industry in the 1950s, working in films such as "Viva la rivista!" and "Cittadini del Mondo." He later transitioned to American cinema and became known for his roles in films like "Godfather II" and "Casino." Cajano was often cast in roles as a mobster or a tough guy due to his rugged looks and deep voice. He also appeared in various television shows, such as "The Sopranos," "Miami Vice," and "Law & Order." Cajano's last on-screen role was in the 1998 film "The Deli." He passed away in October 2000 at the age of 79.
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Sergio Bruni (September 15, 1921 Villaricca-June 22, 2003 Rome) a.k.a. Guglielmo Chianese, S. Bruni, The Voice of Naples or Bruni, Sergio was an Italian actor and musician. He had one child, Bruna Chianese.
Bruni was born in Villaricca, Naples, Italy in 1921. He began his career as a musician and gained fame in the 1950s as a singer of Neapolitan songs. He was known for his powerful and emotional voice, which earned him the nickname "The Voice of Naples". Bruni went on to become one of the most popular and beloved singers in Italy, and his music continues to be celebrated today.
In addition to his music career, Bruni was also a successful actor, appearing in several Italian films and television shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his charm and charisma onscreen, and he became a beloved figure in Italian entertainment.
Bruni continued to perform and record music well into his later years, and he remained a beloved figure in Italian culture until his death in 2003. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest singers and performers in Italian music history, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans.
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Luigi Infantino (April 24, 1921 Racalmuto-June 22, 1991 Rome) was an Italian opera singer and actor.
Infantino studied music at the conservatory of Palermo before making his debut as a baritone at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo in 1947. He then went on to perform in various Italian opera houses, including La Scala in Milan, where he played the role of Alfonso in the premiere of "La figlia del reggimento" in 1956.
In addition to his singing career, Infantino also appeared in several Italian films, including "The Day the Sky Exploded" and "Maciste contro il vampiro". He also appeared on television, notably in the popular Italian variety show "Canzonissima".
Infantino was known for his rich baritone voice and his passionate performances. He was considered one of the leading baritones of his generation and was particularly celebrated for his interpretations of Verdi's operas.
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Fred Buscaglione (November 23, 1921 Turin-February 3, 1960 Rome) otherwise known as Ferdinando Buscaglione, Ferdinando "Fred" Buscaglione or Fred was an Italian singer, actor and singer-songwriter.
Fred Buscaglione was a prominent figure in the Italian music scene during the 1950s, and was known for his unique, humorous and catchy songs. He started his music career in Turin during the 1940s as a jazz musician and later became the lead singer of the band "Asternovas". In 1956, he released his hit song "Che Bambola!" (What a Doll!) which became an instant success and propelled him into the limelight. Over the years, he released many popular songs such as "Guarda Che Luna" (Look at the Moon), "Love in Portofino" and "Eri piccola così" (You Were So Small). He also appeared in several movies during his career including "Il tuo vizio è una stanza chiusa e solo io ne ho la chiave" (Your Vice Is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key). Fred Buscaglione tragically died in a car accident in Rome in 1960 at the age of 38. Despite his short-lived career, he remains an iconic figure in Italian music history.
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