Fabrizio Frizzi facts for kids

Fabrizio Adriano Frizzi (born February 5, 1958 – died March 26, 2018) was a much-loved Italian television host and voice actor. He was famous for hosting many different kinds of TV shows in Italy. These included fun variety shows, exciting talent shows, and popular game shows. Kids especially knew him as the Italian voice of Woody from the Toy Story movies!

About Fabrizio Frizzi

Fabrizio Frizzi was born in Rome, Italy. He started his TV career in 1980. His first job was hosting a children's show called Il barattolo on Rai 2. He continued working on shows for young people, like Tandem and Pane e marmellata. He even hosted Pane e marmellata with his first wife, Rita Dalla Chiesa.

Becoming a TV Star

In the early 1990s, Fabrizio became a big star on RAI TV. He hosted many popular shows during prime time, which is when most people watch TV. Some of these shows included I fatti vostri and Scommettiamo che...? This was the Italian version of a famous German show.

He also hosted Domenica in, a popular Sunday afternoon show. Fabrizio presented several editions of the Miss Italia beauty pageant too. He was also the host of the yearly celebrity football match, Partita del cuore. This special game helped raise money for charity and scientific research. He also hosted many editions of the Italian Telethon, which raises money for good causes.

In 1995, Fabrizio won a special award called the 'Oscar della TV'. He won it for his great work hosting the quiz show Luna Park. Later, he co-hosted Per tutta la vita...? with Natasha Stefanenko and Romina Power.

Return to RAI and New Shows

After working for a short time at another TV channel called Mediaset, Fabrizio returned to RAI in 2003. He became the host of the morning show Piazza Grande. In 2005, he joined the first season of Strictly Come Dancing, the Italian version of the dancing show. He finished in fourth place.

As he became even more popular, he returned to host Telethon and Partita del cuore. These were the charity events he loved to support. In 2007, he launched a new game show called I soliti ignoti – identità nascoste. This show was based on an American game show. It became a huge hit for RAI, and Fabrizio hosted it until 2012. The show came back in 2017, and he hosted it again.

In 2014, Fabrizio became a host for the Italian game show L'eredità. He shared the hosting duties with Carlo Conti for a while. By October 2016, Fabrizio became the only host of the show. In 2015, the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, gave him a special honor called Commendatore della Repubblica.

Voice Acting and Other Work

Fabrizio Frizzi became known around the world for his voice acting. He was the Italian voice of Sheriff Woody, a main character in Pixar's Toy Story movies. Woody was originally voiced by Tom Hanks in English. Fabrizio also voiced a car version of Woody in the movie Cars.

He continued to voice Woody in TV shorts, video games, and more. Fabrizio even made a guest appearance in the Italian version of The Simpsons. He voiced a character named John Wilkes Booth in one episode.

From 1999 to 2001, Fabrizio also acted in a RAI TV drama series called Non lasciamoci più. He played the role of Paolo Bonelli. The show ran for two seasons.

Fabrizio's Family Life

Fabrizio was married twice. His first wife was fellow TV presenter Rita dalla Chiesa. In 2014, he married his second wife, another TV presenter. They had a daughter named Stella in 2013.

Fabrizio was also the younger brother of a famous composer named Fabio Frizzi.

Illness and Passing

On October 23, 2017, Fabrizio Frizzi had a stroke while recording an episode of L'eredità. This meant he had to take a break from work.

He bravely returned to the show in December of the same year, and many people were very happy to see him back. Sadly, in the early hours of March 26, 2018, he had another serious medical event. He was rushed to the Sant'Andrea Hospital but passed away. He was 60 years old.

Thousands of people attended his funeral two days later. It was held at a church in Rome known as the "Church of the Artists." After Fabrizio's passing, the Italian voice of Woody for Toy Story 4 was taken over by voice actor Angelo Maggi. The Italian version of Toy Story 4 is dedicated to Fabrizio Frizzi.

Voice Roles

Fabrizio Frizzi lent his voice to many characters, especially Woody!

Animation

• Sheriff Woody in Toy Story
• Sheriff Woody in Toy Story 2
• Sheriff Woody in Toy Story 3
• Sheriff Woody in Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins
• Sheriff Woody in Toy Story of Terror!
• Sheriff Woody in Toy Story That Time Forgot
• Sheriff Woody in Hawaiian Vacation
• Sheriff Woody in Small Fry
• Sheriff Woody in Partysaurus Rex
• Woody Wagon in Cars
• John Wilkes Booth in The Simpsons (episode 25x21)

Video Games

• Sheriff Woody in Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue
• Sheriff Woody in Toy Story Mania!
• Sheriff Woody in Toy Story 3: The Video Game
• Sheriff Woody in Disney Infinity

Film and TV Appearances

• Non lasciamoci più (1999–2001) – Paolo Bonelli
• Buona giornata (2012) – Himself