Mike Bongiorno facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Bongiorno
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Mike Bongiorno in 1972
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| Born |
Michael Nicholas Salvatore Bongiorno
May 26, 1924 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | September 8, 2009 (aged 85) Monte Carlo, Monaco
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| Occupation | Presenter |
| Years active | 1946–2009 |
| Spouse(s) |
Rosalia Maresca
(m. 1948; div. 1952)Annarita Torsello
(m. 1968; div. 1970)Daniela Zuccoli
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 3 |
Michael Nicholas Salvatore Bongiorno (born May 26, 1924 – died September 8, 2009) was a very famous Italian American television presenter. He started his career in the U.S. but became a huge star in Italy. People called him il Re del Quiz, which means 'The Quiz King'. He was known for starting all his shows with his special greeting: Allegria! (meaning 'Cheers!' or 'Joy!'). Mike Bongiorno was one of the most loved TV hosts in Italy for many years.
Contents
Early Life and World War II
Mike Bongiorno was born in New York City. His parents were from Italy. When he was young, he moved to Turin, Italy, which was his mother's hometown.
During World War II, Mike stopped his studies. He joined a group of Italian partisans, who were fighters resisting the enemy. He was captured and spent seven months in a prison in Milan. After that, he was sent to a German concentration camp. Luckily, he was set free before the war ended. This happened because of an exchange of war prisoners between the United States and Germany. After being freed, he went back to New York. In 1946, he started working at a radio station for an Italian American newspaper.
A Star is Born: Mike Bongiorno's TV Career
Mike Bongiorno returned to Italy in 1953. He was part of the very first day of official public TV broadcasts in Italy. His first show was called Arrivi e partenze ('Arrivals and Departures') on the RAI TV channel.
Quiz Show King
From 1955 to 1959, Mike hosted a popular quiz show called Lascia o raddoppia?. This was the Italian version of a famous American show. Another show he hosted was Campanile Sera ('Bell Tower Evening'). In this show, towns from different parts of Italy competed against each other. They answered questions and played fun games.
In 1963, a famous writer named Umberto Eco wrote an essay about Mike Bongiorno. Eco said that Mike was so good at being himself, and seemed so normal, that everyone watching could feel good about themselves. This made him very popular with the audience.
Hosting Big Events and More Quizzes
Starting in 1963, Mike hosted the famous Sanremo Music Festival eleven times. This is a very important music event in Italy. He also hosted many other quiz shows. These included Caccia al numero ('Number Hunt') and La Fiera dei Sogni ('Dream Fair').
His biggest success was the quiz show Rischiatutto (1970–1974). This was an Italian version of the American show Jeopardy!. Every Thursday night, 20 to 30 million people watched it. This was one of the highest audiences ever in Italian TV history! Mike also hosted news talk shows and other quiz programs like Scommettiamo? (Wanna Bet?).
Moving to Commercial TV
In 1979, Mike Bongiorno moved to Tele Milano, which is now Canale 5. This was one of Italy's first commercial TV channels. It was owned by Mediaset, a company started by Silvio Berlusconi. There, he hosted I sogni nel cassetto ('The dreams in the drawer').
After a short time back at RAI, he continued working for Mediaset. He hosted many more popular quiz shows. These included Bis (like Concentration), Superflash, and Telemike. From 1989 to 2003, he hosted La ruota della fortuna, which was the Italian version of Wheel of Fortune.
From 1991 to 2001, Mike hosted Bravo, Bravissimo. This was a festival for talented young musicians, dancers, and singers from all over the world. He won 24 Telegatto awards, which are important Italian TV prizes.
Until 2005, he hosted Genius on Rete 4. This was a quiz show especially for 12- to 14-year-olds. His last quiz show was Il Migliore (Britain's Brainiest Kid) in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, he received an honorary degree from a university in Milan. In 2009, he planned to host a new show called RiSKYtutto, a modern version of his famous Rischiatutto.
Later Years and Passing
Mike Bongiorno passed away on September 8, 2009, at the age of 85. He died from a heart attack while on holiday in Monaco.
His body was placed at the Triennale in Milan for a few days. Many people came to pay their respects. A big state funeral was held in the Milan Cathedral. Many famous Italian TV stars attended the service to honor him.
Mike Bongiorno was buried in his family tomb. Later, in 2011, his tomb was disturbed and his body was taken. However, it was found and returned in December 2011.
Acting Roles
Mike Bongiorno also appeared in several films and TV shows, often playing himself or a TV presenter.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Motivo in maschera | Mike |
| Girls of Today | Sandro | |
| Il prezzo della gloria | Ruggero Grimaldi | |
| 1956 | Totò lascia o raddoppia? | Himself |
| I miliardari | Marco | |
| 1961 | The Last Judgment | Himself |
| 1968 | Il cenerentolo | TV Presenter |
| 1972 | Life Is Tough, Eh Providence? | Mike Goodmornig |
| 1974 | We All Loved Each Other So Much | Himself |
| 1982 | Sogni mostruosamente proibiti | |
| 2000 | 20 - Venti |
Awards and Recognitions
Mike Bongiorno received many honors and awards throughout his long career.
Special Honors
In 1996, he was made a Commander of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. This is a very old and respected award. In 2004, on his 80th birthday, he was given another high honor: Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. This was presented by the Italian President.
Honorary Degree
In 2007, a university in Milan gave Mike Bongiorno an honorary degree. This was in Television, Film, and Multimedia production, recognizing his huge impact on these fields.
Television Awards
Mike Bongiorno won many Telegatto awards, which are like the Emmys for Italian television. He won for Best TV quiz shows many times, including for Superflash, Pentathlon, and Telemike. He also won for hosting La Ruota Della Fortuna (Wheel of Fortune). In 1996 and 2006, he received special Telegatto platinum awards for his amazing lifelong career in television.
- 1984 Telegatto – Best TV quiz, for Superflash
- 1985 Telegatto – Best TV quiz, for Superflash
- 1986 Telegatto – Best TV quiz, for Superflash
- 1987 Telegatto – Best TV quiz, for Pentathlon
- 1988 Telegatto – Best TV quiz, for Telemike
- 1989 Telegatto – Best TV quiz, for Telemike
- 1990 Telegatto – Best TV quiz, for Telemike
- 1991 Telegatto – Best TV quiz, for Telemike
- 1992 Telegatto – Best quiz and game shows, for La Ruota Della Fortuna
- 1993 Telegatto – Best quiz and game shows, for La Ruota Della Fortuna
- 1994 Telegatto – Best quiz and game shows, for La Ruota Della Fortuna
- 1995 Telegatto – Best quiz and game shows, for La Ruota Della Fortuna
- 1996 Telegatto platinum, for a lifelong career
- 1997 Telegatto – Best Music Program, for hosting Festival della canzone italiana
- 2003 Telegatto – What's on TV, for hosting Grand Prix International TV
- 2006 Telegatto platinum, for a lifelong career
- 2008 Premio Club Santa Chiara, for a lifelong career
- 2011 Premio America of the Italy–USA Foundation in memory
