Aldo Fabrizi (; born Aldo Fabbrizi; 1 November 1905 – 2 April 1990) was an Italian actor, director, screenwriter and comedian, best known for the role of the heroic priest in

Roberto Rossellini Roberto Gastone Zeffiro Rossellini (8 May 1906 – 3 June 1977) was an Italian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was one of the most prominent directors of the Italian neorealist cinema, contributing to the movement with films such ...

's ''

Rome, Open City ''Rome, Open City'' ( it, Roma città aperta, also released as ''Open City'') is a 1945 Italian neorealist war drama film directed by Roberto Rossellini and co-written by Sergio Amidei, Celeste Negarville and Federico Fellini. Set in Rome in ...

'' and as partner of

Totò Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Angelo Ducas Comneno Porfirogenito Gagliardi de Curtis di Bisanzio (15 February 1898 – 15 April 1967), best known by his stage name Totò (), or simply as Antonio de Curtis, and nicknamed ''il Principe della risata ...

in a number of successful comedies.

Life and career

Born in Rome into a humble family, Fabrizi debuted on stage in a suburban theater in 1931. He soon got local success thanks to his comical sketches and '' macchiette'' (i.e. comical monologues caricaturing stock characters), and became a star of the Roman

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own dur ...

and '' avanspettacolo''. He made his film debut during the war, in 1942, and in a short time established himself as one of the most talented actors of the time, spacing from comedy to drama. After a number of successful comedies, in 1945 he played the iconic Don Pietro in the neo-realist drama ''

'', and following the critical and commercial success of the film he had a number of leading roles in other neo-realist films. Already active as a screenwriter, in 1948 he debuted as a director with the drama '' Immigrants''. In the 1950s and 1960s he was often paired on the screen with

and with Peppino De Filippo. In 1964 he got a large success on stage with the musical comedy ''

Rugantino ''Rugantino'' is a musical comedy by Pietro Garinei and Sandro Giovannini, which debuted at the Teatro Sistina in Rome, Italy, on 15 December 1962. Music was written by Armando Trovaioli. It is a comedy set in the papal Rome of the 19th century. ...

'', he also toured across Europe, in Latin America and in Broadway. Like the Italian actor Totò and others, Fabrizi was also initiated to the

Scottish Rite Freemasonry The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in the United States often omits the ''and'', while the English Constitution in the United Kingdom omits the ''Scottish''), commonly known as simply the Sco ...

Personal life

Fabrizi was married to the singer Beatrice Rocchi, best known with her stage name Reginella, until her death in 1981. His sister Elena Fabrizi was also an actress.

Awards and recognition

Fabrizi during his career won two Nastro d'Argento Awards, for best actor for Alessandro Blasetti's '' Prima comunione'' and for best supporting actor in Ettore Scola's '' We All Loved Each Other So Much'', and a special David di Donatello for his career in 1988. He was also awarded at the

1952 Cannes Film Festival The 5th Cannes Film Festival was held from 23 April to 10 May 1952. As in the previous three festivals, the entire jury of this festival was made up of French persons, with Maurice Genevoix as the Jury President. The Grand Prix of the Festival ...

for best screenplay for '' Cops and Robbers''. In 1990 Poste italiane issued a stamp in his honor.

Actor filmography

Aldo-fabrizi-nel film-gli-italiani-e-le-donne-1962

* ''Avanti, c'è posto...'' (''

Before the Postman ''There's Room Up Ahead'' (Italian: ''Avanti c'è posto'') is a 1942 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Aldo Fabrizi, Andrea Checchi and Adriana Benetti.Moliterno p.45 It was made at Cinecittà in Rome. Plot A young gi ...

'') by

Mario Bonnard Mario Bonnard (24 December 1889 – 22 March 1965) was an Italian actor and film director. Bonnard was born and died in Rome. He began his cinematic career as an actor becoming a popular romantic lead in numerous silent films made before World ...

(script too ) (1942) as Cesare Montani * ''Campo de' fiori'' ('' The Peddler and the Lady'') by Mario Bonnard (script too) (1943) as Peppino Corradini * '' L'ultima carrozzella'' by Mario Mattoli (script too) (1943) as Antonio Urbani, detto "Toto" * '' Circo equestre Za-Bum'' (episode ''Dalla finestra'' and ''Il postino'') by Mario Mattoli (1944) as The postman (segments "Dalla finestra" and "Il postino") * '' Roma città aperta'' by

(1945) as Don Pietro Pellegrini * '' Mio figlio professore'' by Renato Castellani (script too) (1946) as Orazio Belli * '' To Live in Peace'' by

Luigi Zampa Luigi Zampa (2 January 1905 – 16 August 1991) was an Italian film director. Biography Son of a worker, Zampa studied filmmaking from 1932 to 1937 at the Italian film school Centro sperimentale di cinematografia in Rome. He directed several ...

(script too ) (1947) as Tigna * ''Il vento m'ha cantato una canzone'' by

Camillo Mastrocinque Camillo Mastrocinque (11 May 1901 – 23 April 1969) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed more than 60 films between 1937 and 1968, and is known to horror film fans for directing '' Terror in the Crypt'' (1964) starring ...

* ''

Il delitto di Giovanni Episcopo ''Flesh Will Surrender'' ( it, Il delitto di Giovanni Episcopo) is a 1947 Italian drama film directed by Alberto Lattuada. It is based on the novel '' Giovanni Episcopo'' by Gabriele D'Annunzio. It was entered into the 1947 Cannes Film Festiva ...

'' by Alberto Lattuada (script too) (1947) as Giovanni Episcopo * '' Tombolo, paradiso nero'' by

Giorgio Ferroni Giorgio Ferroni (12 April 1908 – 1981) was an Italian film director. Life and career Giorgio Ferroni was born in Perugia on 12 April 1908. Ferroni began his career in film with short documentaries during World War II World War ...

(1947) as Andrea Rascelli * '' Christmas at Camp 119'' by

Pietro Francisci Pietro Francisci (9 September 1906 – 1977) was an Italian film director, best remembered for the film ''Hercules'' (1958) which inspired the sword and sandal boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born in Rome, his career took a distinct tur ...

(script too) (1947) as Giuseppe Mancini, il romano * '' Emigrantes'' by Aldo Fabrizi (1948) as Giuseppe Bordoni * '' Benvenuto, reverendo!'' by Aldo Fabrizi (1949) as Don Peppino * ''

Francesco, giullare di Dio ''The Flowers of St. Francis'' (in Italian, ''Francesco, giullare di Dio'', or "Francis, God's Jester") is a 1950 film directed by Roberto Rossellini and co-written by Federico Fellini. The film is based on two books, the 14th-century novel ''Fior ...

'' by

(1950) as Nicolaio, il tiranno di Viterbo * '' Prima comunione'' by Alessandro Blasetti (1950) as Carlo Carloni * '' Vita da cani'' by Steno & Mario Monicelli (script too) (1950) as Nino Martoni * ''Antonio di Padova'' ('' Anthony of Padua'') by Pietro Francisci (1951) as Ezzelino Da Romano * '' Tre passi a Nord'' (''Three steps North'') by William Lee Wilder (1950) as Pietro * '' Rome-Paris-Rome'' by Luigi Zampa (1951) as Vincenzo Nardi * '' Cameriera bella presenza offresi...'' by Giorgio Pàstina (1951) as Il commendatore Giovanni Marchetti * '' Parigi è sempre Parigi'' by

Luciano Emmer Luciano Emmer (19 January 1918 – 16 September 2009) was an Italian film director. He was born in Milan, but most of his childhood lived in Venice. He started as filmmaker at filming Giotto's frescoes in Padua in 1938. Screenwriter Serg ...

(1951) as Andrea De Angelis * '' Guardie e ladri'' by Steno & Mario Monicelli (script too) (1951) as Lorenzo Bottoni * '' The Passaguai Family'' by Aldo Fabrizi (1951) as Giuseppe Passaguai * '' Fiorenzo il terzo uomo'' by Stefano Canzio (cameo) (1951) as Guest star * '' The Passaguai Family Gets Rich'' by Aldo Fabrizi (1952) as Giuseppe Passaguai * ''

Papà diventa mamma ''Papà diventa mamma'' is a 1952 Italian comedy film written, directed, produced and starred by Aldo Fabrizi. The production company was Alfa Film XXXVII. Cast * Aldo Fabrizi: Sor Peppe * Ave Ninchi: Margherita, wife of Peppe * Giovanna Ralli: ...

'' by Aldo Fabrizi (1952) as Sor Pepe * ''

Altri tempi ''In Olden Days'' ( it, Altri tempi, link=no, also known as ''Times Gone By'' and ''Infidelity'') is a 1952 Italian anthology film. Plot The cart of old books A good-natured peddler of old books shows his customers some works from the past ...

'' (episode ''Il carrettino dei libri vecchi'') by Alessandro Blasetti (1952) as Bookseller * '' Cinque poveri in automobile'' by Mario Mattoli (script too) (1952) as Cesare Baroni * '' Una di quelle'' by Aldo Fabrizi (1953) as Un medico * '' Siamo tutti inquilini'' by Mario Mattoli (1953) as Augusto * '' La voce del silenzio'' by

Georg Wilhelm Pabst Georg Wilhelm Pabst (25 August 1885 – 29 May 1967) was an Austrian film director and screenwriter. He started as an actor and theater director, before becoming one of the most influential German-language filmmakers during the Weimar Republic. ...

(1953) as Pio Fabiani * '' Too Young for Love'' by Lionello De Felice (1953) as Coletti, padre di Annette * '' Funniest Show on Earth'' by Mario Mattoli (1953) (uncredited) * '' Cafè Chantant'' by

(1953) as Se stesso / Himself * '' Questa è la vita'' (episode ''Marsina stretta'') by Aldo Fabrizi (1954) as Il Professore Fabio Gori (segment "Marsina stretta") * '' Cento anni d'amore'' (episode ''Garibaldina'') by Lionello De Felice (1954) as Don Pietro, Priest of Monterotondo (segment "Garibaldina") * '' Cose da pazzi'' by

(1954) as Gnauli * '' Carousel of Variety'' by Aldo Quinti & Aldo Bonaldi (1955) * '' Accadde al penitenziario'' by Giorgio Bianchi (1955) * '' Io piaccio'' by Giorgio Bianchi (1955) as Giuseppe Tassinetti * '' I pappagalli'' by Bruno Paolinelli (1955) as Antonio, the door-keeper * '' Un po' di cielo'' by Giorgio Moser (1955) as Pietro Maltoni * ''

The Two Friends ''The Two Friends'' (Italian: ''I due compari'') is a 1955 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Borghesio and starring Aldo Fabrizi, Peppino De Filippo and Giulia Rubini.Pintaldi p.69 The film's sets were designed by Flavio Mogherini. Cast * ...

'' by

Carlo Borghesio Carlo Borghesio (24 June 1905 – 12 November 1983) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. Life and career Born in Turin, Borghesio started his career as an assistant director in the second half of the 1930s, notably collaborating ...

(script too) (1955) as Giovanni Bellini * '' I pinguini ci guardano'' by Guido Leoni (1956) (voice) * ''

They Stole a Tram ''They Stole a Tram'' ( it, Hanno rubato un tram), aka ''We Stole a Tram'',https://filmandtv.com/se-EN/title/we-stole-a-tram is a 1954 Italian comedy film written by and starring Aldo Fabrizi, and directed by Fabrizi and his assistant director Ser ...

'' by Aldo Fabrizi (1956) as Cesare Mancini * ''

Guardia, guardia scelta, brigadiere e maresciallo ''Guardia, guardia scelta, brigadiere e maresciallo'' is a 1956 Italian comedy film directed by Mauro Bolognini. Cast *Aldo Fabrizi: Brigadiere Pietro Spaziani *Alberto Sordi: Alberto Randolfi *Peppino De Filippo: Giuseppe Manganiello *Gi ...

'' by Mauro Bolognini (1956) as Brigadiere Pietro Spaziani * '' Donatella'' by Mario Monicelli (1956) as Padre di Donatella * '' Allow Me, Daddy!'' by

(1956) as Alessandro Biagi - il suocero di Nardi * '' Il maestro'' by Aldo Fabrizi (1957) as Giovanni Merino * '' Festa di maggio'' (''Premier mai'') by Luis Saslavsky (1958) as Le vieux camionneur * '' I prepotenti'' di

Mario Amendola Mario Natalino Concetto Amendola (8 December 1910 – 22 December 1993) was an Italian screenwriter, film director and dramatist. Biography Amendola was born in Recco, which is located in Genova to parents from Rome. He began his career on ...

(script too) (1958) as Cesare Pinelli * ''

I tartassati ''I Tartassati'' is an Italian comedy film from 1959, directed by Stefano Vanzina, written by Aldo Fabrizi, starring Totò and Louis de Funès. The film is known under the titles ''The Overtaxed'' (English) and ''Fripouillard et Compagnie'' (Fre ...

'' by Steno (script too) (1959) as Maresciallo Fabio Topponi * '' Ferdinando I re di Napoli'' by Gianni Franciolini (1959) as Il contadino * ''

Prepotenti più di prima ''Prepotenti più di prima'' is a 1959 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Aldo Fabrizi. It is the sequel of ''I prepotenti''. Cast * Aldo Fabrizi - Cesare Pinelli * Nino Taranto - Domenico Esposito * Ave Ninchi - Clel ...

'' by Mario Mattoli (script too) (1959) as Cesare Pinelli * '' Un militare e mezzo'' by Steno (script too) (1960) as Sgt. Giovanni Rossi * '' La sposa bella'' (''The angel wore red'') by

Nunnally Johnson Nunnally Hunter Johnson (December 5, 1897 – March 25, 1977) was an American screenwriter, film director, producer, and playwright. As a filmmaker, he wrote the screenplays to more than fifty films in a career that spanned from 1927 to 1967. He ...

(1960) as Canon Rota * '' Toto, Fabrizi and the Young People Today'' by Mario Mattoli (1960) as Giuseppe D'Amore * '' Le meraviglie di Aladino'' by

Mario Bava Mario Bava (31 July 1914 – 27 April 1980) was an Italian filmmaker who worked variously as a director, cinematographer, special effects artist and screenwriter, frequently referred to as the "Master of Italian Horror" and the "Master of the M ...

(1961) as Sultan * '' Gerarchi si muore'' by

Giorgio Simonelli Giorgio Simonelli (14 November 1901 Birth name: Giorgio Simonelli. – 3 October 1966), was an Italian film director, editor, screenwriter and journalist. Life and career Born in Rome, Simonelli obtained a high school diploma in business stud ...

(1961) as Comm. Frioppi * '' Fra' Manisco cerca guai'' by Armando William Tamburella (1961) as Fra Pacifico detto 'Fra Manisco' * '' Gli italiani e le donne'' (episode ''Chi la fa, l'aspetti'') by

Marino Girolami Marino Girolami (1 February 1914 – 20 February 1994) was an Italian film director and actor. Biography Marino Giorlami was born on 1 February 1914 in Rome, Italy. Formally a Professional boxer, Girolami ended his boxing career when he was 20. ...

(1962) * '' Twist, lolite e vitelloni'' by

(1962) as Cav. Rossi * '' I quattro monaci'' by

Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia (8 July 1894 – 4 January 1998) was an Italian film director whose career spanned from the 1930s to the mid-1960s. He mainly directed adventure pictures and popular comedies, including some starring Totò. His 1942 ...

(1962) as Fra' Giocondo * '' The Four Musketeers'' by

(1963) as Bouboule * ''

The Shortest Day ''The Shortest Day'' ( it, Il giorno più corto) is a 1963 Italian comedy film. It is a parody of the war movie '' The Longest Day'' and stars the popular duo Franco and Ciccio in the leading roles. Dozens of other well-known actors, from both Eu ...

'' by

Sergio Corbucci Sergio Corbucci (; 6 December 1926 – 1 December 1990) was an Italian film director, screenwriter and producer. He directed both very violent Spaghetti Westerns and bloodless Bud Spencer and Terence Hill action comedies. He is the older bro ...

(cameo) (1963) as Facchino * ''

The Lightship ''The Lightship'' is a 1985 American drama film directed by Jerzy Skolimowski. The film stars Klaus Maria Brandauer and Robert Duvall, with early appearances by Arliss Howard and William Forsythe. The film is based on the novella "Das Feuerschif ...

'' by

Ladislao Vajda Ladislao Vajda (born Weisz László; 18 August 1906, Budapest – 25 March 1965, Barcelona) was a Hungarian-Spanish film director who made films in Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Italy and West Germany. Biography He was born in Budapest, ...

(in

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

) (1963) as Don Amilcare * '' Totò contro i quattro'' by Steno (1963) as * '' I quattro tassisti'' (episode ''L'uomo in bleu'') by Giorgio Bianchi (1963) as Sor Gigi (segment "L'uomo in blue") * ''

Made in Italy Made in Italy is a merchandise mark indicating that a product is all planned, manufactured and packed in Italy, especially concerning the design, fashion, food, manufacturing, craftsmanship, and engineering industries. History Made in Italy ...

'' by

Nanni Loy Nanni Loy (born Giovanni Loi; 23 October 1925 – 21 August 1995) was an Italian film, theatre and TV director. Specifically, Nanni Loy was Sardinian, and one of several notable Sardinian film makers, including Franco Solinas. Biography Lo ...

(1965) as Piras, Gaviro's Father (segment "2 'Il Lavoro', episode 2") * '' Sette monaci d'oro'' by

(1966) as Fra' Ugone, padre priore * '' Three Bites of the Apple'' by Alvin Ganzer (1967) as Dr. Manzoni * ''Cose di Cosa Nostra'' ('' Gang War'') by Steno (script too) (1971) as Il brigadiere Aldo Panzarani * ''

La Tosca ''La Tosca'' is a five- act drama by the 19th-century French playwright Victorien Sardou. It was first performed on 24 November 1887 at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris, with Sarah Bernhardt in the title role. Despite negative ...

'' by

Luigi Magni Luigi Magni (21 March 1928 – 27 October 2013) was an Italian screenwriter and film director. Life and career Born in Rome, Magni started his career as a screenwriter, in 1956, with '' Tempo di villeggiatura''. In 1968 he collaborated w ...

(1973) as Il governatore * ''

C'eravamo tanto amati ''We All Loved Each Other So Much'' ( it, C'eravamo tanto amati) is a 1974 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Ettore Scola and written by Scola and the famous screenwriter duo of Age & Scarpelli. It stars Stefania Sandrelli, Vittorio Gassman, N ...

'' (''We All Loved Each Other So Much'') by Ettore Scola (1974) as Romolo Catenacci * '' I baroni'' by Giampaolo Lomi (1975) as Monsignore * '' Nerone'' by Mario Castellacci & Pier Francesco Pingitore (1977) as Generale Galba * '' Il ginecologo della mutua'' by Aristide Massaccesi (1977) as Pietro Massone * '' Giovanni Senzapensieri'' by Marco Colli (1985) as Gino (final film role)

Film director filmography

* '' Emigrantes'' (script too) (1948) * '' Benvenuto, reverendo!'' (producer and script too) (1949) * '' The Passaguai Family'' (producer and script too) (1951) * '' The Passaguai Family Gets Rich'' (producer and script too) (1952) * ''

'' (producer and script too) (1952) * '' Una di quelle'' (producer and script too) (1953) * '' Questa è la vita'' (episode ''Marsina stretta'', script too) (1954) * '' Hanno rubato un tram'' (script too) (1954) * '' Il maestro'' (script too) (1957)

References

External links

*
Sito amatoriale su Aldo Fabrizi

La radio di Aldo Fabrizi
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fabrizi, Aldo Italian male film actors Italian male stage actors Italian male comedians Male actors from Rome 1905 births 1990 deaths Nastro d'Argento winners Film directors from Rome 20th-century Italian male actors David di Donatello Career Award winners 20th-century Italian comedians