Here are 15 famous actors from Italy were born in 1940:
Dario Argento (September 7, 1940 Rome-) also known as Sirio Bernadotte is an Italian screenwriter, film producer, film director, writer, television director, actor, television producer, columnist, film score composer and film editor. He has two children, Asia Argento and Fiore Argento.
Considered one of the most influential filmmakers in the horror genre, Dario Argento is known for his visually stunning, suspenseful and often gory films. He began his filmmaking career in the 1960s as a screenwriter, working on titles such as "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage".
Argento made his directorial debut with the film "The Bird with the Crystal Plumage" in 1970, which became a critical and commercial success. He continued to make a string of horror classics throughout the 70s and 80s, including "Deep Red", "Suspiria", and "Tenebrae".
In addition to his film work, Argento has also directed multiple television programs, music videos, and commercials. He has also acted in several films and TV shows, including a cameo in "Once Upon a Time in the West".
Argento's impact on the horror genre has been widespread and has influenced many other filmmakers throughout the years. His visually stunning and suspenseful style continues to captivate and frighten audiences today.
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Maurizio Merli (February 8, 1940 Rome-March 10, 1989 Rome) was an Italian actor. His child is called Maurizio Matteo Merli.
Maurizio Merli began his acting career in the 1960s, appearing in small roles in Italian films. He later gained notoriety for his roles in crime and action films in the 1970s, becoming a popular leading man in the genre. Some of his most notable roles include Inspector Tanzi in the "Violent Rome" series and Commissioner Betti in the "Convoy Busters" series. Merli was known for his tough-guy persona and his ability to perform his own stunts. In addition to his film career, he also appeared in several television programs. Tragically, Merli died at the age of 49 from a heart attack. However, his legacy as an iconic actor of Italian cinema lives on.
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Francesco Guccini (June 14, 1940 Modena-) also known as F.Guccini or Guccini is an Italian novelist, actor and songwriter. His child is called Teresa Guccini.
Francesco Guccini is widely considered one of the most important singer-songwriters in the history of Italian music. He was born in Modena and grew up in Pavana, a small village in the Appennini mountains. Guccini's music is characterized by poetic lyrics that often address social and political issues, as well as love and personal reflections. He started his career in the 1960s as a songwriter and later became a performer as well, releasing his first album in 1970. Guccini has since released many successful albums and has won several awards for his contribution to Italian music. In addition to his music career, Guccini has published several novels and acted in a few films. He continues to be an influential figure in Italian culture today.
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Gigi Proietti (November 2, 1940 Rome-) also known as Luigi Proietti, Luigi "Gigi" Proietti, Gigi or Proietti, Luigi is an Italian actor, voice actor, comedian, singer, television director, theatre director, presenter and screenwriter. He has two children, Susanna Proietti and Carlotta Proietti.
Proietti began his career in the 1960s, working mainly in theater and television. He gained national popularity in the 1970s thanks to his appearances in popular television shows such as "Zanzara" and "Adesso Musica". Proietti is also a prolific voice actor, having dubbed many international films and animated series into Italian, including the voice of Genie in the Italian version of Disney's "Aladdin".
Proietti has also had a successful career in film, starring in over 30 movies. He is known for his versatility as an actor, playing everything from comedic roles to dramatic parts. Proietti is also an accomplished playwright, having written several successful plays. He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 64th David di Donatello Awards in 2019. Despite officially retiring from acting in 2019, Proietti remains one of the most beloved and respected figures in Italian entertainment.
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Vittorio Storaro (June 24, 1940 Rome-) also known as Vittorio Storaro, A.S.C., A.I.C. is an Italian cinematographer and actor. His child is called Fabrizio Storaro.
Storaro is widely regarded as one of the most influential cinematographers in the history of cinema. He has won three Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, for his work on "Apocalypse Now" (1979), "Reds" (1981), and "The Last Emperor" (1987). Storaro has collaborated with some of the most acclaimed directors of our time, including Bernardo Bertolucci, Francis Ford Coppola, and Warren Beatty. He is known for his innovative use of color and light to enhance the emotional impact of a film, as well as his skill in creating stunning visual compositions. In addition to his work as a cinematographer, Storaro has also directed several films and served as a camera operator on numerous projects. He continues to work in the film industry and is highly respected for his contributions to the art of cinema.
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Gianfranco Barra (April 5, 1940 Rome-) is an Italian actor, comedian and character actor.
He has worked in various films, television shows and theatre productions. Barra began his acting career in the late 1950s, performing in theatrical productions. In the 1960s, he appeared in a number of Italian comedy films, often playing comedic and supporting roles. He gained popularity in the 1980s with his portrayal of the character "Don Ciccio" in the Italian television series "Don Matteo". Barra has won numerous awards for his work in film and television, including the "Globo d'oro" award for Best Supporting Actor in 1970 and the "David di Donatello" award for Best Supporting Actor in 1975. In addition to his acting career, Barra has also been involved in politics, serving as a member of the Italian Senate from 1994 to 1996.
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Paolo Graziosi (January 25, 1940 Rimini-) is an Italian actor. His child is called Viola Graziosi.
Paolo Graziosi began his acting career in the 1960s, appearing in various Italian films such as "The Gospel According to St. Matthew" (1964) and "The Spider's Stratagem" (1970) directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. He also worked with legendary filmmaker Federico Fellini in the film "Casanova" (1976).
Aside from his work in film, Graziosi also acted in several stage productions, including Shakespeare's "Richard III" and "Othello". He was awarded the prestigious "Premio San Genesio" for his performance in Eduardo De Filippo's play "Sabato, Domenica e Lunedi".
Graziosi was also a professor of acting at the Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico in Rome, Italy. He passed away on August 22, 2017 at the age of 77.
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Romano Scavolini (June 18, 1940 Rijeka-) is an Italian film director, cinematographer, film producer, screenwriter and actor. He has one child, Amavy Scavolini.
Scavolini began his career in the film industry in the 60s as a cinematographer, working on various documentaries and short films. In 1970, he wrote and directed his first feature film, "My Dear Killer". The film was a critical success and established Scavolini as a promising new talent in Italian cinema.
Over the years, Scavolini has directed a number of well-received films, including "Spirits of Death" (1972), "Nightmare" (1981), and "The Sect" (1991). He has also worked as a screenwriter and producer, collaborating with other directors on a range of projects.
Scavolini has been praised for his ability to combine horror and suspense with a gritty realism that sets his films apart from others in the genre. His work has been compared to that of fellow Italian directors Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci.
In addition to his work in the film industry, Scavolini has also acted in several films, including "They Call Him Cemetery" (1971) and "Faceless" (1987). He continues to work in the industry and is considered one of Italy's most influential and innovative filmmakers.
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Ernesto Colli (May 16, 1940 Biella-November 19, 1982 Rome) a.k.a. Ernest Arold was an Italian actor.
He began his acting career in the 1960s, appearing in small roles on Italian television shows before making his feature film debut in 1968's "Madame Bovary". Colli gradually gained recognition for his dramatic talents and ability to play diverse characters, which led to him landing lead roles in several critically acclaimed films including the 1970 drama "Metello" and the 1971 historical epic "The Mattei Affair". Additionally, he worked with prominent directors such as Luchino Visconti and Bernardo Bertolucci, solidifying his reputation as one of Italy's most talented actors.
Colli tragically died at the age of 42 due to a heart attack while rehearsing for a play in Rome. Nevertheless, he remains an important figure in Italian cinema and is remembered for his contributions to the art of acting.
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Gino Santercole (November 23, 1940 Milan-) is an Italian musician, actor, guitarist, film score composer and singer-songwriter.
Santercole started his music career in the 1960s, as a member of the band "Gli Sputnik". He is known for being a collaborator and friend of Adriano Celentano, with whom he wrote many songs, including the hit "Il Ragazzo della Via Gluck", and worked as a guitarist and composer. He also composed music for films and TV series, such as "La Moglie del Prete" and "L'Ingorgo". As an actor, he appeared in several movies, including the 1967 cult film "Blow-Up" by Michelangelo Antonioni. In the 1970s, he released several solo albums and became a popular figure in the Italian music scene. He is still active today, performing and recording music.
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Gianni Cavina (December 9, 1940 Bologna-) is an Italian actor and screenwriter.
He is best known for his collaborations with director Federico Fellini, having appeared in films such as "Satyricon" and "The Clowns." Cavina has also acted in numerous other Italian films and television shows, often portraying humorous characters. In addition to his acting career, he has written screenplays for several Italian films. Cavina comes from a family of actors, including his brother Carlo and his father Umberto, both of whom were also prominent in the Italian film industry.
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Renato Pozzetto (July 14, 1940 Laveno-Mombello-) a.k.a. Renato is an Italian actor, screenwriter, film director, singer, cabaret artist and comedian. He has two children, Francesca Pozzetto and Giacomo Pozzetto.
Renato Pozzetto began his career as a cabaret artist in the early 1960s before transitioning to film and television in the 1970s. He became a household name in Italy with his comic performances on the variety show "Non Stop" and in films such as "La patata bollente" and "Il ragazzo di campagna".
Pozzetto has starred in over 70 films and TV series, often portraying the average man struggling with everyday life. He has also worked as a screenwriter and director, with his film "L'allenatore nel pallone" becoming a cult classic in Italy.
In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Pozzetto has also pursued music, releasing several albums throughout his career.
He has received numerous awards for his contributions to Italian cinema, including the prestigious David di Donatello Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. Despite his success, Pozzetto prefers to maintain a low profile and has been described as one of the most reserved actors in Italy.
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Bruno Corazzari (December 30, 1940 Castellarano-) also known as Richard Harley is an Italian actor.
He began his career as a stuntman for Italian films in the early 1960s, appearing in numerous spaghetti Westerns such as "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and "A Fistful of Dollars." Corazzari eventually transitioned to acting and appeared in over 100 films throughout his career. He was a regular performer in Italian exploitation cinema, where he often played tough, gritty characters. Some of his most notable roles include "The Weekend Murders," "Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man," and "My Dear Killer." Corazzari retired from acting in the mid-1990s and now lives in Italy.
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Pippo Franco (September 2, 1940 Rome-) also known as Francesco Pippo is an Italian singer, actor, screenwriter, film score composer, presenter and comedian.
He started his career as a member of a musical group called I Meteors, and later formed another group called I Ribelli. In the 1970s, he gained popularity as a comedian through his performances on Italian television, particularly on the variety show "Teatro 10". He also appeared in a number of films, including "Il ritorno di Ringo" and "La polizia incrimina, la legge assolve".
In addition to his work in entertainment, Pippo Franco is also an accomplished author, having written several books including a memoir and a collection of humorous anecdotes. He has also made significant contributions to the Italian music scene, having composed music for films, television and theater productions. He has won several awards and honors for his work, including a Silver Ribbon for best supporting actor in the film "Felice, Felice" and a Golden Graal for his work as a television presenter.
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Nicola di Bari (September 29, 1940 Zapponeta-) a.k.a. Di Bari, Nicola is an Italian singer, actor and composer.
With a career spanning over five decades, Nicola di Bari has become well-known for his romantic ballads in Italy and throughout Latin America. He was first discovered in the 1960s, winning the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival in 1971 with his hit song "Il cuore รจ uno zingaro". He has released over 30 albums and sold millions of records, earning numerous gold and platinum certifications.
Aside from his music career, Nicola di Bari has also dabbled in acting, starring in several Italian films and TV shows throughout the 1970s and 80s. In addition, he has composed music for various Italian films, and a number of his songs have been covered by other artists across the globe.
Throughout his career, Nicola di Bari has received numerous accolades and awards, cementing his status as one of Italy's most beloved performers.
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