Leo Buscaglia | |
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 Buscaglia in 1989 | |
| Born | (1924-03-31)March 31, 1924 Los Angeles,California, United States |
| Died | June 12, 1998(1998-06-12) (aged 74) Glenbrook, Nevada, United States |
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| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
Felice Leonardo Buscaglia (March 31, 1924 – June 12, 1998), also known as "Dr. Love", was an American author,motivational speaker, and a professor in the Department of Special Education at theUniversity of Southern California.[1][2]
Felice Leonardo Buscaglia was born inLos Angeles, California, on March 31, 1924, into a family ofItalianimmigrants.[1] He spent his early childhood inAosta, Italy, before going back to the United States for education.[1] He was a graduate ofTheodore Roosevelt High School. Buscaglia served in theU.S. Navy duringWorld War II; he did not see combat, but he saw its aftermath in his duties in thedental section of the military hospital, helping to reconstruct shattered faces.[3] UsingG.I. Bill benefits, he entered theUniversity of Southern California, where he earned three degrees (BA 1950, MA 1954, PhD 1963) before eventually joining the faculty.[1] He was known for always getting on the elevator and putting his back to the door and introduce himself saying "This might be the only chance I'll ever get to meet you and I don't want to miss this chance." He would rake the leaves in his yard and put them in a room in his house so he could sit and study them. He was fascinated that God would go to the trouble to make every leaf different. "Imagine how proud he is of us if he goes to that much trouble for a simple leaf on a tree."
He was the first to state and promote the concept of humanity's need for hugs: 5 to survive, 8 to maintain, and 12 to thrive.[4]
Upon retirement, Buscaglia was named Professor at Large, one of only two such designations on campus at that time.[5]
While teaching at USC, Buscaglia was moved by a student's suicide to contemplate human disconnectedness and the meaning of life, and began a noncredit class he called Love 1A.[1] This became the basis for his first book, titled simplyLove. His dynamic speaking style was discovered by thePublic Broadcasting Service (PBS), and his televised lectures earned great popularity in the 1980s. At one point his talks, always shown during fundraising periods, were the top earners of all PBS programs. This national exposure, coupled with the heartfelt storytelling style of his books, helped make all his titles national bestsellers; five were once on theNew York Times bestsellers list simultaneously.[2]
Buscaglia died of a heart attack on June 12, 1998, at his home in Glenbrook, Nevada, nearLake Tahoe, when he was 74.[1][6]
In a May 12, 1984,Peanuts comic strip, the dogSnoopy is seen strolling towardsCharlie Brown andSally. Snoopy gives them both warm and sincere hugs. Afterwards, Charlie Brown explains their dog's actions to his puzzled sister: "You can always tell when he's been listening to Leo Buscagliatapes."[7]
Buscaglia's "Dr. Love" moniker, PBS lectures, and philosophy of hugs were referenced in Season 2, Episode 1 ofThe Americans.[8]
In an April 22, 1991The Far Side comic strip, a man dressed like abullfighter awaits the charge of another man with outstretched arms. The caption reads: "In some remote areas of the world, the popular sport is to watch a courageous young man avoid being hugged by a Leo Buscaglia impersonator."
In the August 1993 issue ofSpectacular Spider-Man (vol. 1) #203, the character ofCarnage tauntsSpider-Man by saying: "Ah... even with his last breath—he's doing his Leo Buscaglia impression!"
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