Antonino Faà di Bruno

For other people with the same name, see Faà di Bruno.
Antonino Faà di Bruno
Faà di Bruno in Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleanno (1974)
Born(1910-12-15)15 December 1910
London, UK
Died2 May 1981(1981-05-02) (aged 70)
Alessandria, Italy
OccupationActor
Years active1964–1980
SpouseAnna Maria Andreini
Children2

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

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
1964 La vita agra Uncredited
1969 Porcile Old man (scene of the Sentence) Uncredited
1972 Lo chiameremo Andrea Schoolmaster
1972 Avanti! Concierge
1973 We Want the Colonels Lt. Col. Vittorio Emanuele Ribaud
1973 Dirty Weekend Count Antonino Marlotti Uncredited
1973 Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears The Senator
1973 Amarcord Count
1973 Amore e ginnastica Commendator Censani
1974 Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleanno Zio Alberto
1974 Il domestico The Old Nobleman
1974 City Under Siege Col. Peretti
1975 White Horses of Summer Receptionist
1975 Un sac de billes Le vieux beau
1975 The Sunday Woman Paolo Campi
1976 Pure as a Lily Don Gerlando
1976 Il secondo tragico Fantozzi Mega Direttore Clamoroso, Duke Count Piercarlo Semenzara
1977 L'appuntamento Ermengardo Braghidoni
1977 Bobby Deerfield Vincenzo
1978 La soldatessa alle grandi manovre Gen. Barattoli
1980 Bionda fragola
1981 Una vacanza bestiale Console
1981 Il minestrone The 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.