Antonino Faà di Bruno

Antonino Faà di Bruno (15 December 1910 – 2 May 1981) was an Italian actor and former military officer.

Antonino Faà di Bruno
Born(1910-12-15)15 December 1910
London, UK
Died2 May 1981(1981-05-02) (aged 70)
OccupationActor
Years active1964–1980
SpouseAnna Maria Andreini
Children2

Biography

A member of the aristocratic Faà di Bruno family, Antonino Faà di Bruno was born in London, the son of Marchese Alessandro Faà di Bruno (who was the Italian consul in London at that time) and of his wife Fanny Costì. He was named after his namesake ancestor, Antonino Faà di Bruno (1762–1829), who was Bishop of Asti in the 19th century.

He took up a military career, becoming a lieutenant in the grenadiers and fighting in Italian East Africa. After his retirement in 1964, with the rank of Brigadier General, Faà di Bruno started a career as an actor, working with Carlo Lizzani (La vita agra), Pier Paolo Pasolini (Pigsty), Vittorio De Sica (Lo chiameremo Andrea), Billy Wilder (Avanti!),[1] Federico Fellini (Amarcord),[2] Luciano Salce (Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleanno), Mario Monicelli (We Want the Colonels).[3]

Tall at 1.96 metres (6 ft 5 in), with a baritone voice and an aristocratic bearing, Antonino Faà di Bruno was often cast in roles of high rank, nobleman, officers and members of the ruling class. He performed as a character actor in several commedia all'italiana films, and became known for playing the role of retired Lt.Col. Vittorio Emanuele Ribaud, who attempted a coup d'état in We Want the Colonels, and of the Duke-Count Piercarlo Semenzara in Il secondo tragico Fantozzi.

Personal life and death

In 1947, he married the widow of his cousin Emilio Faà di Bruno who had died in 1943, Anna Maria Andreini. He later adopted their daughters, Camilla and Costanza.

Away from his public life, he enjoyed dwelling in the countryside of Istia d'Ombrone.

He died at 70 following complications from a traumatic brain injury that he suffered after being hit by a bus.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1964La vita agraUncredited
1969PorcileOld man (scene of the Sentence)Uncredited
1972Lo chiameremo AndreaSchoolmaster
1972Avanti!Concierge
1973We Want the ColonelsLt. Col. Vittorio Emanuele Ribaud
1973Dirty WeekendCount Antonino MarlottiUncredited
1973Deaf Smith & Johnny EarsThe Senator
1973AmarcordCount
1973Amore e ginnasticaCommendator Censani
1974Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleannoZio Alberto
1974Il domesticoThe Old Nobleman
1974City Under SiegeCol. Peretti
1975White Horses of SummerReceptionist
1975Un sac de billesLe vieux beau
1975The Sunday WomanPaolo Campi
1976Pure as a LilyDon Gerlando
1976Il secondo tragico FantozziMega Direttore Clamoroso, Duke Count Piercarlo Semenzara
1977L'appuntamentoErmengardo Braghidoni
1977Bobby DeerfieldVincenzo
1978La soldatessa alle grandi manovreGen. Barattoli
1980Bionda fragola
1981Una vacanza bestialeConsole
1981Il minestroneThe marquis(final film role)

References

  1. Gene D. Phillips (July 1, 2010). Some Like It Wilder: The Life and Controversial Films of Billy Wilder. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 554–. ISBN 978-0-8131-3951-7.
  2. Federico Fellini (1976). Fellini on Fellini. Da Capo Press. pp. 174–. ISBN 978-0-306-80673-5.
  3. Roberto Chiti; Enrico Lancia; Roberto Poppi (2003). Dizionario del cinema italiano: testi e strumenti per la scuola e l'università. Gli attori dal 1930 ai giorni nostri ; Vol. 1. A – L. Gremese Editore. pp. 221–. ISBN 978-88-8440-213-4.
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