FABRIZI, ALDO

(1905-1990)

Actor and director. Of modest working-class origins, Fabrizi began acting in stage revues and cabaret in the 1930s, soon becoming famous for his endearing characters and vaudeville routines. His first foray into cinema was inAvanti c'e posto(Before the Postman, 1942), directed byMario Bonnard, which allowed him to transfer one of his stage personas to the screen. He played similar roles in Bonnard'sCampo de' Fiori(Peddler and the Lady, 1943), set in the very working-class area of Rome where Fabrizi was born, andMario Mattoli'sL'ultima carozzella(The Last Wagon, 1943). Although he had already become widely known in Italy, he then came to international renown as the character of Don Pietro, the courageous priest who lends his support to theResistancemovement and pays the price, inRoberto Rossellini'sRoma citta aperta(Rome Open City, 1945, also known asOpen City).After more leading roles in neorealist films such asLuigi Zampa'sVivere in pace(To Live in Peace, 1946), he also tried his hand at directing, withEmigrantes(Immigrants, 1949),La famiglia Passaguai(The Passaguai Family, 1951), and with what is generally regarded as his best self-directed film,Il Maestro(The Teacher and the Miracle, 1957).

He returned to comedy in a number of films withTotobut also continued to do stage comedy and revues. In 1964 he scored a great triumph on Broadway when he was hailed as a comic genius for his interpretation of the role of Mastro Titta in Pietro Garinei and Sandro Giovannini's musical comedyRugantino. His last film appearances were as the Governor in an adaptation of theToscastory directed by Luigi Magni in 1974, and as the grotesquely overweight wealthy father-in-law inEttore Scola'sC'eravamo tanto amati(We All Loved Each Other So Much, 1974), for which he received aNastro d'argentoas best supporting actor. Shortly before his death in 1990 he was awarded aDavid di Donatellofor career achievement. His iconic status as one of the great actors of the Italian cinema was further confirmed in 1996 when the Italian postal service issued a stamp in his honor.