Here are 18 famous actors from Italy were born in 1926:
Riccardo Pazzaglia (September 12, 1926 Naples-October 4, 2006 Rome) was an Italian screenwriter, actor and film director. He had one child, Massimiliano Pazzaglia.
Pazzaglia started his career as a comedian in the 1950s and later got into screenwriting. He wrote scripts for some of the most popular Italian comedies of the 1960s and 1970s including "Il medico della mutua" (The Family Doctor) and "I nuovi mostri" (The New Monsters). He also directed a few films in his career, including "Ku-Fu? Dalla Sicilia con furore" (Ku-Fu? From Sicily with Fury) in 1973. Pazzaglia was known for his irreverent sense of humor and satirical take on Italian society. Later in life, he was active in politics and was even elected to the Italian parliament in 1987. Pazzaglia passed away at the age of 80 in Rome.
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Dario Fo (March 24, 1926 Sangiano-) is an Italian playwright, actor, screenwriter, scenographer, composer, theatre director, comedian, singer, songwriter and political campaigner. His child is called Jacopo Fo.
Fo began his career as a comic actor, performing with various cabaret groups in Italy. He went on to write plays that combined elements of commedia dell'arte, satire and political commentary. Some of his most famous works include "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" and "Can't Pay? Won't Pay!" which have been translated and performed in over 30 languages. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1997 for his work in theater that "emulates the jesters of the Middle Ages in scourging authority and upholding the dignity of the downtrodden." Fo continued to be politically active throughout his life, advocating for causes such as workers' rights and anti-fascism.
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Tiberio Mitri (July 12, 1926 Trieste-February 12, 2001 Rome) also known as The Trieste Tiger was an Italian actor and professional boxer. He had two children, Alesandro Mitri and Tiberia Mitri.
Tiberio Mitri is considered one of the greatest Italian boxers of all time. He competed in the middleweight division and won the European Middleweight Championship in 1949. Mitri later became the World Middleweight Champion in 1950, after defeating American boxer Randy Turpin. Mitri retired from boxing in 1956 with a record of 83 wins, 7 losses, and 2 draws.
After retiring from boxing, Mitri pursued a career in acting. He appeared in a number of films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, often playing tough, macho characters. Mitri's most famous role was in the 1954 film "The Beach", where he starred alongside Sophia Loren.
Mitri also wrote a book about his boxing career called "Io, Tiberio Mitri" ("I, Tiberio Mitri"). The book was published in 1955 and is still considered a classic of Italian sports literature.
Throughout his life, Mitri remained a beloved figure in Italy. He was featured on a postage stamp in 2006 and in 2010, a sports hall in his hometown of Trieste was named after him.
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Giorgio Mangiamele (August 13, 1926 Catania-May 13, 2001 Melbourne) was an Italian film director, cinematographer, screenwriter, photographer, film producer and actor. He had two children, Suzanne Mangiamele and Claudia Mangiamele.
Mangiamele began his career in film in Italy as a documentary filmmaker, and later turned to narrative feature films. In 1952, he emigrated to Australia and continued to make films there, known for his exploration of social themes and his neorealist style. His films include "Nimji," "Bernadette," and "The Spag." In addition to his work in film, Mangiamele was also an accomplished photographer, with his work exhibited in galleries around the world. Later in life, he taught film production at Swinburne University in Melbourne. Mangiamele is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Australian cinema history.
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Nini Rosso (September 19, 1926 San Michele Mondovì-October 5, 1994 Rome) otherwise known as Raffaele Celeste Rosso, Raffaele Celeste "Nini" Rosso or Celeste Raffaele Rosso was an Italian actor and musician.
He was best known for his trumpet playing and his interpretation of the song "Il Silenzio," which became a worldwide hit in the 1960s.
Rosso began his career playing trumpet in jazz bands and later joined the orchestra of the Sanremo Festival. He gained international fame with the success of "Il Silenzio" in 1965, which sold over 10 million copies and topped the charts in several countries. He went on to record over 2,000 songs and released more than 80 albums throughout his career.
Aside from his musical career, Rosso also appeared in a number of films, mainly in supporting roles. His most prominent acting role was in the 1970 film "The Conformist" directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.
Rosso continued performing until shortly before his death in 1994. He remains an influential figure in the Italian music scene and his music is still enjoyed today.
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Cesare Danova (March 1, 1926 Bergamo-March 19, 1992 Los Angeles) also known as Cesare Deitinger or César Danova was an Italian actor. His children are called Marco Danova and Fabrizio Danova.
Danova's acting career began in Italy before he emigrated to the United States in the early 1950s. He quickly rose to fame in Hollywood, appearing in numerous films throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Some of his most notable roles include playing Marcello in "Three Coins in the Fountain" (1954), playing Mark Antony in "Cleopatra" (1963) alongside Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and playing Count Elmo Mancini in "The Family Jewels" (1965) directed by Jerry Lewis. Danova was also a frequent guest star on popular television shows such as "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island". Off-screen, Danova was known for his love of sports cars and was a skilled race car driver.
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Riccardo Garrone (January 1, 1926 Rome-) a.k.a. Rick Garrett, Richard Garrett, Richard Garret, Ricardo Garone, Dick Regan or Richard Garrone is an Italian actor, film director, voice actor and screenwriter.
He was born in Rome to a family of actors and made his film debut at the age of 16 in the 1942 film "Una storia d'amore". Garrone gained critical acclaim for his performances in Federico Fellini's "La Strada" (1954) and "Nights of Cabiria" (1957). He also appeared in many popular Italian films throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including "Roma bene" (1971) and "The Garden of the Finzi-Continis" (1970).
In addition to his acting career, Garrone also directed several films, including "I fuorilegge del matrimonio" (1963) and "Intrigo a Los Angeles" (1965). He also lent his voice to many Italian-dubbed versions of popular films, including "The Godfather" (1972) and "Doctor Zhivago" (1965). Garrone continues to work in the film industry, with his most recent credit being the voice of Nonno in the 2017 animated film "Coco".
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Enrico Maria Salerno (September 18, 1926 Milan-February 28, 1994 Rome) a.k.a. Enrico Salerno was an Italian actor, film director, voice actor, screenwriter, businessperson and television director. He had five children, Chiara Salerno, Giovanbattista Salerno, Edoardo Salerno, Pietruccio Salerno and Nicola Salerno.
Salerno began his career as a stage actor, performing in various plays and productions throughout Italy. He later transitioned to film and television, and appeared in over 50 films throughout his career. In addition to acting, Salerno also worked as a film director, screenwriter, and television director. He is perhaps best known for his role as the police commissioner in the 1970s Italian crime film, "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage".
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Salerno was also a successful businessperson, owning and managing several bars and restaurants in Milan. He was also an avid art collector and supporter of the arts. Salerno passed away in 1994 at the age of 67 in Rome, Italy.
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Duccio Tessari (October 11, 1926 Genoa-September 6, 1994 Rome) a.k.a. Amadeo Tessari or Duccio was an Italian film director, screenwriter, actor and television director. He had three children, Fiorenza Tessari, Federica Tessari and Cristiano Tessari.
Tessari was born into a family of filmmakers; his father was a screenwriter, and his uncle was a director. After studying law at the University of Genoa, Tessari began his film career as an assistant director to Vittorio De Sica on the film "Bicycle Thieves". He then went on to direct his first film, "The Violent Patriot", in 1956.
Tessari became known for his spaghetti western films, including "A Pistol for Ringo" (1965) and its sequel "The Return of Ringo" (1965). He also directed the crime film "The Bloodstained Butterfly" (1971) and the adventure film "Zorro" (1975).
In addition to his work in film, Tessari also directed television programs, including the Italian drama series "La Piovra" (The Octopus) and "Le avventure di Laura Storm" (The Adventures of Laura Storm).
Throughout his career, Tessari collaborated with many notable Italian actors and actresses, including Tomas Milian, Ursula Andress, Gian Maria Volontè, and Claudia Cardinale. He was known for his use of suspense and action in his films, as well as his ability to create memorable characters and situations.
Tessari passed away in Rome in 1994, leaving behind a legacy of influential and entertaining films.
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Franco Giacobini (March 15, 1926 Rome-) also known as Francesco Giacobini is an Italian actor.
Giacobini began his career in the film industry in the early 1950s and went on to star in over 100 films throughout his career. He was known for his versatility as an actor and appeared in a wide variety of genres including drama, comedy, and thriller films. Some of his most notable works include "Il Sorpasso" (1962), "Hercules and the Masked Rider" (1963), and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966).
Aside from his successful film career, Giacobini also dabbled in television and theater. He appeared in several popular TV series, including "Le inchieste del commissario Maigret" (1964) and "I ragazzi di celluloide" (1981). He also participated in many theater productions, both in Italy and abroad.
Giacobini received critical acclaim for his work throughout his career and was awarded several prestigious awards, including the David di Donatello Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film "Il marchese del Grillo" (1981). He passed away on August 22, 1990, in Rome, Italy, leaving behind a legacy as one of Italy's most talented and multifaceted actors.
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Enzo Garinei (May 4, 1926 Rome-) also known as Vincenzo Garinei, Vincenzo "Enzo" Garinei or Enzo Garieni is an Italian actor and voice actor.
He comes from a family of film and theater personalities, as his father was a famous screenwriter and his uncle was a well-known playwright. He made his acting debut in the 1947 comedy film "Caccia tragica" and went on to appear in numerous Italian movies and TV shows. Garinei is best known for his work as a voice actor, lending his voice to Italian dubs of popular American films and TV series such as "The Simpsons" and "Star Wars". He also provided the voice of Mickey Mouse for many years. In addition to his acting career, Garinei has written several plays and books. He was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 2010 Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Awards.
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Alberto Farnese (June 3, 1926 Palombara Sabina-June 2, 1996 Rome) a.k.a. Albert Farley or Alberto Quaglini was an Italian actor.
He started his career as a theater actor in the late 1940s and later transitioned to film, where he gained popularity in the 1950s and '60s, appearing in over 130 films. Farnese was known for his roles in spaghetti westerns, sword and sandal epics, and giallo films. Some of his most notable films include "Hercules and the Captive Women" (1961), "Blood for a Silver Dollar" (1965), and "Death Walks on High Heels" (1971). He was also a prolific television actor, appearing in a number of popular Italian TV series throughout the 1970s and '80s. Despite his success, Farnese was known for being a private person and kept his personal life out of the public eye.
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Enzo Liberti (April 20, 1926 Rome-May 4, 1986 Saint-Laurent-du-Var) a.k.a. Vincenzo Liberti was an Italian actor and film director.
Liberti began his career in the film industry as a set designer and art director. He eventually moved on to acting and appeared in over 50 films throughout his career, including La Dolce Vita directed by Federico Fellini. In addition to acting, Liberti also directed several films, including the 1972 film La violenza: Quinto potere, which he also co-wrote. He was known for his rugged, masculine features and often played tough, no-nonsense characters in his films. Despite his success as an actor and director, Liberti struggled with personal demons, including alcoholism, which ultimately led to his early death at the age of 60.
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Francesco Mulé (December 3, 1926 Rome-November 4, 1984 Rome) otherwise known as Francesco Mulè was an Italian actor and voice actor.
He began his acting career in the early 1950s and went on to appear in over 50 films, including the critically acclaimed "Roman Holiday" (1953) and "Il Sorpasso" (1962). Mulé was also a prolific voice actor, dubbing foreign films and TV shows into Italian. He was particularly well-known for his voice work in the Italian versions of popular American TV shows such as "The A-Team" and "Knight Rider". In addition to his work in film and TV, Mulé was also a stage actor and worked extensively in Italian theater. He passed away in Rome in 1984 at the age of 57.
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Corrado Olmi (October 24, 1926 Iesi-) is an Italian actor.
He began his acting career in the 1950s, appearing in a variety of Italian films and TV shows. Olmi is perhaps best known for his role as Ottavio in the 1964 film "Il Gattopardo" (The Leopard), directed by Luchino Visconti. He also worked with prominent Italian directors such as Federico Fellini, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Pier Paolo Pasolini. In addition to his film work, Olmi has appeared in numerous stage productions and is considered to be a respected theater actor in Italy. Outside of acting, Olmi has also worked as a voice actor, dubbing foreign films into Italian.
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Germano Facetti (May 5, 1926 Milan-April 8, 2006 Sarzana) also known as Germano Faccetti was an Italian graphic designer and actor. He had one child, Lucia Facetti.
Facetti is best known for his work as the art director of the renowned publishing house, Penguin Books, in the 1960s. He was responsible for designing over 500 book covers during his tenure and is credited with revolutionizing the art of book cover design. His minimalist and bold designs were widely praised for their simplicity and visual impact.
Aside from his work in graphic design, Facetti was also a talented actor and appeared in several films and television shows during his career. He made his acting debut in the 1952 film "Lo sai che i papaveri" and went on to appear in films such as "The Nights of Cabiria" and "Ulysses." He was also a regular on Italian television, appearing on popular shows such as "La famiglia Benvenuti" and "La piovra."
After leaving Penguin Books in the 1970s, Facetti continued to work as a freelance graphic designer and also taught at the Royal College of Art in London. He was awarded the title of Royal Designer for Industry in 1986 in recognition of his contributions to the field of graphic design. He passed away in Sarzana, Italy in 2006 at the age of 79.
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Teddy Reno (July 11, 1926 Trieste-) otherwise known as Ferruccio Merk-Ricordi, Ferruccio Merk Ricordi or Ferruccio Ricordi is an Italian singer, actor and record producer. He has three children, Alessandro Merk Ricordi, Giorgio Merk Ricordi and Franco Ricordi.
Teddy Reno started his music career in the early 1950s, enjoying numerous hits in Italy and abroad. He was part of the Italian delegation at the 1957 Eurovision Song Contest and later became a record producer and talent scout, launching the careers of many successful artists, including Mina and Rita Pavone. In addition to his music career, Reno also appeared in several films and television shows, including "L'ultima carrozzella" and "Ars amandi". He was awarded the Nastro d'Argento (Silver Ribbon) for his contributions to Italian music in 2015. Reno remains active in the music industry and is considered a living legend of Italian music.
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Claudio Villa (January 1, 1926 Trastevere-February 7, 1987 Padua) also known as Villa, Claudio or Claudio Pica was an Italian singer and actor. He had five children, Mauro Pica, Manuela Villa, Claudio Garofalo Pica, Andrea Celeste Pica and Aurora Pica.
Claudio Villa had a successful career spanning four decades, starting in the 1940s. He was known for his powerful and expressive voice, and for performing in a variety of styles, including pop, folk, and traditional Italian music. He released over 3000 songs over the course of his career, and was a popular performer both in Italy and internationally. Villa was also a prolific actor, appearing in over 20 films throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In addition to his music and acting career, Villa was a well-known television personality, hosting several popular TV shows in the 1970s. Despite his success, he struggled with alcoholism and financial difficulties in his later years. He passed away in 1987 at the age of 61.
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