Mario Fabrizi
Mario Edgio Pantaleone Fabrizi (25 June 1924 – 5 April 1963) was an English comedian and actor of Italian descent, noted for his luxuriant moustache. He was active in Britain in the 1950s and early 1960s.[1][2]
Mario Fabrizi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Mario Edgio Pantaleone Fabrizi 25 June 1924 |
| Died | 5 April 1963 (aged 38–39) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1956–1963 |
| Spouse |
Katherine Boyne (m. 1960) |
| Children | 1 |
Life
Fabrizi was born to Italian parents in Holborn, London, England, in 1924, his mother's maiden name being Pisani.[3] His father was a Vicomte (Italian: visconte), a title that Mario inherited on his father's death in 1959.[4] He married Katherine Boyne of Leeds on 28 May 1960.[4] They had a son, Anthony, in 1961.[5][6]
On 5 April 1963 Fabrizi died of a stress-related illness at his home in Neasden, London; his wife and son survived him. A week before his death, he had announced that he was leaving show business.[7]
His son Anthony is now a businessman based in the City of London.[8]
Career
On ITV, Fabrizi was well known for his role in Granada Television's popular series The Army Game, as Corporal "Moosh" Merryweather,[9] while on BBC television, he was a regular member of the ensemble cast of the Tony Hancock sitcom Hancock's Half Hour.[10][11] His most notable film role was as Neville Shanks, the photographer, in Hancock's 1963 film, The Punch and Judy Man.[12] He also worked frequently with Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan.[13]
He was buried in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Harrow Road, Kensal Green, London, W.10.
Selected filmography
- The Smallest Show on Earth (1957) - Actor in 'The Mystery of Hell Valley' (uncredited)
- The Naked Truth (1957) - Man in Autograph Crowd (uncredited)
- Carlton-Browne of the F.O. (1959) - Deputy Minister (uncredited)
- The Running Jumping & Standing Still Film (1960) - (uncredited)
- Two-Way Stretch (1960) - Jones
- The Rebel (1961) - Coffee Bar attendant
- Postman's Knock (1962) - Villager
- Operation Snatch (1962) - Tall Man
- Village of Daughters (1962) - Antonio Durigo
- It's Trad, Dad! (1962) - Spaghetti Eater
- Carry On Cruising (1962) - Second Cook
- On the Beat (1962) - Newspaper Seller
- Just for Fun (1963) - Diner
- The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963) - Van Driver (uncredited)
- The Punch and Judy Man (1963) - Nevil Shanks
- The Mouse on the Moon (1963) - Mario - the Valet
- The Pink Panther (1963) - Hotel Manager (uncredited) (final film role)
References
- "Mario Fabrizi". www.aveleyman.com.
- "Mario Fabrizi". Archived from the original on 15 December 2017.
- "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS.
- Daily Mirror 27 May 1960 p26 "Mush Takes a (Real-Life) plunge!"
- Pellegrineti claim to fame
- LucyWho Mario Fabrizi and 5 month old son
- Mario Fabrizi at IMDb
- "Market profile".
- "ITV's First Sitcom - The Army Game". 31 March 2020.
- Perry, Chris (3 February 2016). The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937-2013. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781900203609 – via Google Books.
- BBC. "Hancock's Half-Hour".
- "BFI Screenonline: Punch and Judy Man, The (1962) Credits". www.screenonline.org.uk.
- Sikov, Ed (19 August 2011). Mr Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 9781447207146 – via Google Books.
External links
- Getty Images Mario Fabrizi and Katherine Boyne just married
- Mario Fabrizi at IMDb
- Fabrizi bio from Tony Hancock online