Fabio Lanzoni facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fabio Lanzoni
Lanzoni in 2014
Born	(1959-03-15) March 15, 1959 (age 66) Milan, Lombardy, Italy
Citizenship	Italy and United States
Occupation	Model actor spokesman
Years active	1973–2021
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)

Fabio Lanzoni (born March 15, 1959), who is known by the single name Fabio, is an Italian-American model, actor, and spokesman. He is famous for appearing on the covers of many romance novels in the 1980s and 1990s.

Fabio has also appeared in movies and TV shows, often playing himself in brief appearances called cameo appearances. He has also been a spokesman for brands like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! and for the American Cancer Society.

Early Life

Fabio Lanzoni was born in Milan, Italy, on March 15, 1959. His father, Sauro Lanzoni, was a mechanical engineer who owned a factory. His mother was Flora Carnicelli Lanzoni. Fabio has an older brother, Walter, and a younger sister, Cristina. His father hoped Fabio would become an engineer and run the family business.

For the first five years of his life, Fabio was mostly raised by his grandmother. He said she was the "most influential woman" in his life. She passed away from cancer when he was 13. This event deeply affected Fabio and inspired him to later become a spokesman for the American Cancer Society.

Fabio started his modeling career after a photographer discovered him while he was working out. He also served in the Italian Army for a short time.

Career

Fabio is most famous for being on the covers of hundreds of romance novels. He once told a newspaper, "I'd be the biggest hypocrite if I said I really worked very hard for my career, because it was given to me on a silver platter."

Modeling and Acting

Fabio's modeling career began in Italy when he was 14. A famous photographer saw him at a gym and hired him for a major project. As a teenager, Fabio was also active in sports like horseback riding and skiing.

When he was 19, Fabio moved to the United States to follow his dream of living in America. He quickly found success as a model. He was hired by the Ford modeling agency and soon landed a big contract with Gap Inc. He became known for his muscular look, which was different from other male models at the time.

He began appearing on the covers of romance novels. In 1987, he was on the cover of Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey. He didn't realize how famous he was until three women in a nightclub recognized him from the book covers.

Lanzoni in 1993 (left), at a charity event in Buffalo, New York.

Fabio also started acting. He had small roles in movies like The Exorcist III (1990) and Scenes from a Mall (1991). In 1993, he starred in the TV show Acapulco H.E.A.T. He also made cameo appearances as himself in the comedy films Spy Hard (1996) and Zoolander (2001).

From 1993 to 1998, Fabio also co-wrote several romance novels, including Pirate, Rogue, and Viking.

Spokesman and Other Work

Fabio became a well-known spokesman for the butter substitute I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! starting in 1994. His commercials were very popular. He also appeared in ads for Nationwide Insurance, Old Spice, and the American Cancer Society.

In 2011, Old Spice created a popular online video campaign where Fabio challenged another Old Spice spokesman, Isaiah Mustafa. The videos received millions of views on YouTube.

Fabio with a fan in Times Square in 2005.

Fabio has also launched his own businesses. In 2003, he created a clothing line for women. He later started a company called Healthy Planet Vitamins. In 2021, he launched a men's skincare line called Aston James.

The Roller Coaster Incident

On March 30, 1999, Fabio was part of a promotional event for a new roller coaster called Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. During the first ride, he was struck in the face and came off the ride with a cut on his nose.

News reports said he had been hit by a goose. However, in 2021, Fabio explained what really happened. He said a goose hit a video camera that was mounted on the ride. A small piece of metal from the broken camera then flew off and cut his nose. He said it was a "miracle" the injury wasn't worse.

Personal Life

In 2016, Fabio became a citizen of the United States. He has said that he considers the U.S. "the greatest country in the world."

Fabio is known for his healthy lifestyle. He exercises regularly, including weight training and jogging. He avoids alcohol and unhealthy foods. He enjoys Japanese cuisine, especially sushi. He owns over 300 motorcycles because, as he once joked, "There's 365 days in a year."

In 2021, Fabio said he was retired and hoped to get married and have children. He also mentioned that he sleeps in a special machine called a hyperbaric chamber, which he believes helps slow down the aging process.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos