Gian Carlo Fusco: The Irregular Journalist

A new book by Raffaele Capparelli, 'Gian Carlo Fusco: il giornalista affabulatore' (Pacini Editore), revives interest in Gian Carlo Fusco (1915-1984), an Italian journalist, writer, and actor known for his unconventional life. Fusco, described by Natalia Aspesi as someone who 'invented life day by day,' worked as a boxer, bouncer, tap dancer, radiotelegrapher, and actor. Born in La Spezia, he ran away to Marseille at 17 for a dancer. His first book, 'Biancheria' (1935), was censored by fascists. After WWII, he worked as secretary to actor Ermete Zacconi in Viareggio, then moved to Milan, joining 'L'Europeo' in 1949. He later wrote for 'Il Mondo' and 'L'Espresso,' and in 1956 launched the daily column 'La colonna' for 'Il Giorno.' His books include 'La rosa del ventennio' (1959), 'La guerra in Albania' (1961), 'Gli indesiderabili' (1962), 'Papa Giovanni' (1972), and 'Duri a Marsiglia' (1974). He acted in films, notably 'Vogliamo i colonnelli' (1973) by Mario Monicelli. Fusco died of a brain tumor at Gemelli hospital in Rome in 1984; friends organized his funeral at the Church of the Artists in Piazza del Popolo, and he was later buried in Forte dei Marmi.