Massimo Troisi

Massimo Troisi (San Giorgio a Cremano, Campania, February 19, 1953-Ostia, Lazio, June 4, 1994) was an Italian film director, comedian, actor and screenwriter.

Biography

He was born into a large family. In fact, he spends his childhood in the family home with his parents, five siblings, two of his grandparents, various uncles and five cousins.

He began acting during his high school studies in the theater group "I saraceni", along with Lello Arena, Enzo Decaro, Valeria Pezza and Nico Mucci. In 1972, the group became Centro Teatro Spazio, settling in the Troisi's hometown and connecting with the tradition of Neapolitan theater.

In 1977, as an evolution of the Centro Teatro Spazio, La Smorfia was born, a formation that achieved success with the trio made up of Troisi, Arena and Decaro. The program Cordimente insieme (Cordially together) made the group known to the general public, which went on to television with the program Non stop and, in 1979, Luna Park. At this time the most celebrated sketches of the trio were born, which ended with the phrase "Così è (se vi piace)" —"That's right (if you like it)"—, a title that refers to the famous work of the Nobel Prize for Literature Luigi Pirandello.

In 1981 he made his debut in the world of cinema with Ricomincio da tre (I start again from three), performing the tasks of director, screenwriter and protagonist of the film, which it was a great success with the public and critics. His second important film work was Non ci resta che piangere (We only have to cry), whose direction he shared with Roberto Benigni.

Later, he worked as an actor under the direction of director Ettore Scola in three consecutive films: Splendor (1989), Che ora è (also in 1989) and Il viaggio di Capitán Fracassa (1990).

His last film as a director was Pensavo fosse amore e invece era un calesse, in 1991.

In 1994, he gave a masterful performance in the title role of Michael Radford's hit film Il Postino, opposite Maria Grazia Cucinotta. Just twenty-four hours after filming ended, on June 4, Massimo Troisi died in Ostia (Rome) while he was sleeping, a victim of a heart condition that he had suffered for a long time. For his work in this film, he was posthumously nominated for an Oscar for best actor.

Awards and distinctions

Oscar

Venice International Film Festival