Paolo Villaggio facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paolo Villaggio
Villaggio in 2012
Born	(1932-12-30)30 December 1932 Genoa, Liguria, Italy
Died	3 July 2017(2017-07-03) (aged 84) Rome, Lazio, Italy
Occupation	Actor, writer, comedian
Years active	1956–2017
Political party	Proletarian Democracy (1987) Pannella List (1992–1999)
Spouse(s)	Maura Albites (1958–2017)
Children	Elisabetta Villaggio Pierfrancesco Villaggio
Relatives	Piero Villaggio (brother)

Paolo Villaggio (born 30 December 1932 – died 3 July 2017) was a famous Italian actor, writer, and comedian. He was also a voice actor and director. He was known for creating funny characters. These characters often had strange or exaggerated personalities.

Some of his most famous characters were Professor Kranz and Giandomenico Fracchia. But his most loved character was probably Ugo Fantozzi. Fantozzi was a shy and unlucky accountant. Villaggio also wrote many books, which were often funny and made fun of society. He also acted in serious movies.

Early Life and First Steps in Entertainment

Paolo Villaggio was born in Genoa, Italy. His father, Ettore, was a surveyor from Palermo. His mother, Maria, was from Venice and taught German. Paolo had a twin brother named Piero. Piero later became a professor at the University of Pisa.

Villaggio started his career on a TV show called Quelli della domenica. This is where his character Fantozzi first appeared. He also introduced Professor Kranz and Giandomenico Fracchia on this show.

Career Highlights

Villaggio as Fantozzi

The World of Fantozzi

After his TV success, Villaggio began writing. He wrote short stories for magazines like L'Espresso. These stories were about Ugo Fantozzi, a weak and unlucky accountant. Fantozzi was always having trouble with his boss at a huge company.

In 1971, these stories were put into a book called Fantozzi. It sold over a million copies! Soon after, a second book, Il secondo tragico libro di Fantozzi, was released. The first book even won an award in Moscow.

This led to the 1975 movie Fantozzi, directed by Luciano Salce. This movie was very popular. Six more books about Fantozzi were published, with the last one in 2012. Seven more Fantozzi movies followed, ending in 1999. These later movies were not always based on the books.

Other Films and Roles

Villaggio acted in many other comedy movies. He worked with famous directors like Federico Fellini in La voce della luna (1990). He also worked with Lina Wertmüller in Io speriamo che me la cavo (1992). Other directors he worked with include Ermanno Olmi and Mario Monicelli.

Paolo Villaggio kept writing books while acting in movies. He also performed in stage plays. In 1996, he played Arpagone in Molière's play L'Avare. He also hosted a funny news show called Striscia la notizia. Later, he was in a TV series called Carabinieri. In this show, he played a homeless man who helped the police solve crimes. Villaggio also wrote song lyrics. He wrote two songs with his friend Fabrizio De André.

Awards and Recognition

Paolo Villaggio received many important awards for his work.

• David di Donatello for Best Actor for The Voice of the Moon (1990)
• Golden Lion Honorary Award (1992)
• Nastro d'Argento for Best Actor for The Secret of the Old Woods (1994)
• Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (1995)
• Leopard of Honour (2000)
• Honorary David di Donatello Award (2009)
• Premio Grock from the City of Imperia (2011)

Death

Paolo Villaggio passed away on 3 July 2017 in Rome. He was 84 years old. He died from problems related to diabetes.

Selected Filmography

Theater Performances

• Avaro, directed by Giorgio Strehler (1996)
• Delirio di un povero vecchio (2000–2001)
• Vita, morte e miracoli (also directed) (2005–2008)
• Serata d'addio, directed by Andrea Buscemi (2007–2008)
• Il profumo delle lucciole (also directed) (2009–2011)
• A ruota libera (also directed) (2010–2011)
• La Corazzata Potëmkin (2012)

See also

In Spanish: Paolo Villaggio para niños