Italian actor Gigi Proietti dies at 80 on his birthday
Gigi Proietti, a monumental figure in Italian film and theater, passed away from cardiac arrest on his 80th birthday at a clinic in Rome. He was instrumental in revitalizing Shakespeare for mainstream audiences while managing the Globe Theatre in the city. Proietti's artistic path began in his youth, where he learned to play multiple instruments. He attended Liceo Augusto and briefly pursued law studies before finding his passion for acting at Centro Teatro Ateneo. His debut leading role came in Tinto Brass's "L'Urlo" (1968) at Cannes. He gained acclaim in 1970 with "Alleluja brava gente" and starred in notable films like "Febbre da cavallo" (1976) and "Il casotto" (1977). He co-directed Teatro Brancaccio from 1978 to 1997 and was a well-known voice actor, with his television popularity peaking in "Il maresciallo Rocca" (1996–2005).
Key facts
- Gigi Proietti died on his 80th birthday from a cardiac arrest in a Rome clinic.
- He managed the Globe Theatre in Rome, reviving Shakespeare.
- He learned guitar, piano, accordion, and double bass as a child.
- He studied law at university but did not graduate.
- He trained at Centro Teatro Ateneo under Arnoldo Foà, Giulietta Masina, and Giancarlo Sbragia.
- His first lead role was in Tinto Brass's 'L'Urlo' (1968), presented at Cannes.
- His theatrical breakthrough came in 1970 replacing Domenico Modugno in 'Alleluja brava gente'.
- He directed the Teatro Brancaccio (1978–1997), Gran Teatro di Roma, and Globe Theatre.
- He dubbed actors including Robert De Niro, Richard Burton, Sylvester Stallone, Charlton Heston, and Marlon Brando.
- He starred in the TV series 'Il maresciallo Rocca' (1996–2005).
Entities
Artists
- Gigi Proietti
- Arnoldo Foà
- Giulietta Masina
- Giancarlo Sbragia
- Tinto Brass
- Domenico Modugno
- Garinei
- Giovannini
- Sergio Citti
- Ugo Tognazzi
- Jodie Foster
- Steno
- Monicelli
- Bolognini
- Lattuada
- Lumet
- Altman
- Tavernier
- Sandro Merli
- Robert De Niro
- Richard Burton
- Sylvester Stallone
- Charlton Heston
- Marlon Brando
- Stefania Sandrelli
- Margherita Bordino
Institutions
- Globe Theatre di Roma
- Centro Teatro Ateneo
- Teatro Brancaccio
- Gran Teatro di Roma
- Warner Bros
- Liceo Augusto
- Artribune
Locations
- Roma
- Italia
- Viterbo
- Cannes