Here are 9 famous actors from Italy died in 1978:
Goffredo Alessandrini (September 9, 1904 Cairo-May 16, 1978 Rome) a.k.a. G. Alessandrini was an Italian film director, screenwriter and actor.
He began his career as an actor in the 1920s and gradually transitioned into directing and screenwriting. Alessandrini is considered one of the pioneers of Italian neorealism, a film movement that emerged in the aftermath of World War II and focused on realistic depictions of everyday life in Italy. He directed his first film, "Abbandono", in 1940, but it was his 1942 film "Ossessione" that marked his breakthrough as a director. The film was adapted from James M. Cain's "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and is widely considered one of the first neorealist films.
During his career, Alessandrini directed over 50 films, including "Roma città aperta" (1945), which was considered a masterpiece of neorealism and is still regarded as one of the greatest Italian films ever made. He was known for his attention to detail and his ability to infuse his films with a sense of social commentary. Alessandrini continued to work in the film industry until his death in 1978 at the age of 73.
Read more about Goffredo Alessandrini on Wikipedia »
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.
Read more about Fausto Tozzi on Wikipedia »
Luigi Vannucchi (November 25, 1930 Caltanissetta-August 30, 1978 Rome) otherwise known as Luigi Vannuchi or Louis Vanner was an Italian actor, voice actor and film director. He had one child, Sabina Vannucchi.
Vannucchi began his career as an actor in the mid-1950s and appeared in several popular Italian films, including "La Lunga Notte del '43", "La famiglia", and "La Buona Notte". He also provided the voice for the Italian version of several American films, such as "The Godfather" and "Rocky". In the 1960s, Vannucchi began directing films of his own, including "Requiescant" and "I Figli del Leopardo". Tragically, Vannucchi died in a car accident in Rome in 1978 at the age of 47. Despite his relatively short career, he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in Italian cinema.
Read more about Luigi Vannucchi on Wikipedia »
Enzo Maggio (October 10, 1902 Naples-July 13, 1978 Naples) a.k.a. Vincent Maggio or Vincenzo Maggio was an Italian actor and comedian.
Enzo Maggio started his acting career in the 1930s, appearing in several Italian films. However, his breakthrough role came in 1949 with the movie "I pompeiani," which made him a well-known actor in Italy. He became particularly famous for his comedic roles, and he was considered one of the masters of the Neapolitan dialect when it came to comedy performances. In total, Maggio appeared in over 150 films throughout his career, including "Totò, Peppino e la legge" (1956), "L'onorata società" (1961), and "Le quattro giornate di Napoli" (1962), which won the Golden Bear at the 13th Berlin International Film Festival. Maggio died in his hometown of Naples in 1978, leaving behind a legacy of iconic comedic performances.
Read more about Enzo Maggio on Wikipedia »
Enrico Simonetti (January 29, 1924 Alassio-May 28, 1978 Rome) also known as Henrique, Henrique Simonetti or E. Simonetti was an Italian film score composer, pianist, actor, conductor, presenter, radio personality and musician. He had two children, Claudio Simonetti and Simona Simonetti.
Starting his career as a pianist, Enrico Simonetti entered the film industry in the early 1950s as a score composer. He composed the scores of several popular Italian films, including "The Nights of Cabiria," "The Big Night," and "Fury at Smugglers' Bay." Simonetti's music was notable for its unique blend of traditional Italian music and jazz elements.
In addition to his career as a composer, Simonetti was also a regular performer on Italian radio and television shows. He was known for his suave personality and was often referred to as the "Italian Bing Crosby." Simonetti's music and personality made him a beloved figure in Italy, and he continued to be popular even after his death in 1978.
His son Claudio Simonetti is also a musician and composer, who co-founded the progressive rock band Goblin. Simona Simonetti is an Italian actress.
Read more about Enrico Simonetti on Wikipedia »
Franco Arcalli (July 18, 1929 Rome-February 24, 1978 Rome) a.k.a. Kim Arcalli or Kim was an Italian film editor, screenwriter and actor. He had one child, Max Arcalli.
Arcalli's career in the film industry spanned several decades and he worked on numerous notable films. He is perhaps best known for his collaborations with acclaimed Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci, with whom he worked on films such as "Last Tango in Paris", "The Conformist", "1900" and "The Last Emperor", the latter of which earned the pair an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
In addition to his work with Bertolucci, Arcalli edited and wrote for a variety of other filmmakers, including Pier Paolo Pasolini, Jean-Luc Godard and Nanni Moretti. He also acted in a handful of films, including Bertolucci's "Before the Revolution".
Arcalli passed away in Rome at the age of 48, leaving behind a legacy as one of Italy's most celebrated film editors and screenwriters.
Read more about Franco Arcalli on Wikipedia »
Michele Riccardini (October 2, 1910 Perugia-July 24, 1978 Merate) also known as Michel Riccardini was an Italian actor.
Riccardini began his acting career in the 1930s, appearing in a number of Italian films. He is best known for his work in Federico Fellini's landmark film, La Dolce Vita (1960), in which he played the role of a dancer in a nightclub. He also appeared in several other Italian films throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including L'Avventura (1960) and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). In addition to his film work, Riccardini was also an accomplished stage actor, and he appeared in numerous theatrical productions throughout his career. Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Riccardini remained a private individual and little is known about his personal life. He died in Merate, Italy in 1978 at the age of 67.
Read more about Michele Riccardini on Wikipedia »
Renzo Ricci (September 27, 1899 Florence-October 20, 1978 Milan) was an Italian actor. He had one child, Nora Ricci.
Ricci's career began in the 1920s and he appeared in over 50 films, earning critical acclaim for his performances. In addition to acting in films, he also worked in theater, performing in numerous productions throughout Italy. Ricci was known for his versatility as an actor, playing a wide range of roles in both dramatic and comedic productions. He also had experience as a director, having directed several films in the 1940s. In addition to his work in the entertainment industry, Ricci was involved in politics and was a member of the Italian Parliament in the 1950s. He passed away in Milan in 1978 at the age of 79.
Read more about Renzo Ricci on Wikipedia »
Mario Castellani (July 2, 1906 Rome-April 26, 1978 Rome) also known as Mario Castellano was an Italian actor and comedian.
He began his acting career on stage in the 1920s and later made his way to the big screen, appearing in more than 130 films throughout his career. Castellani was known for his comedic roles, particularly in the Commedia all'italiana genre, and was a popular figure in Italian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. He worked with some of Italy's most renowned directors, including Federico Fellini and Vittorio De Sica. Castellani also had success as a screenwriter, penning scripts for several of his own films. He was awarded the Nastro d'Argento (Silver Ribbon) for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film "Toto, Peppino, and the Hussy" in 1957. Castellani passed away in Rome in 1978 at the age of 71.
Read more about Mario Castellani on Wikipedia »