Luciano De Crescenzo | |
|---|---|
 Luciano De Crescenzo | |
| Born | (1928-08-18)18 August 1928 |
| Died | 18 July 2019(2019-07-18) (aged 90) |
| Occupation(s) | writer, film actor, director, engineer |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Luciano De Crescenzo (Italian pronunciation:[luˈtʃaːnodekreʃˈʃɛntso]; 18 August 1928 – 18 July 2019) was anItalianwriter, film actor, director andengineer.[1]
Born inNaples, he grew up with actorBud Spencer. De Crescenzo graduated in engineering and worked forIBM Italy until 1976, when he published the bestsellerCosì parlò Bellavista (Thus spoke Bellavista), a collection of facts and anecdotes about his city which sold 600,000 copies in Italy and was translated into numerous languages. Over the years De Crescenzo became an internationally successful author. In 1980 he debuted as actor inIl pap'occhio, under the direction of his friendRenzo Arbore, together withRoberto Benigni.[2]
In 1981 he made his TV debut alongside Renzo Arbore andLory Del Santo in successful and innovative showTagli, ritagli e frattaglie.
In 1984 he directed the successful movie adaptation ofCosì parlò Bellavista (in which he also played the protagonist), followed byIl mistero di Bellavista in 1985. In 1995 he wrote and directedCroce e delizia, featuringTeo Teocoli andIsabella Rossellini.
In the meantime he published a long series of books, including novels and popularizations of philosophy. For his work in the field ofGreek philosophy he received honorary citizenship ofAthens in 1994. Between 1977 and 2019, he published a total of fifty books, selling 18 million copies worldwide, of which 7 million in Italy. His works have been translated into 19 languages and published in 25 countries.
He was hospitalized inRome in July 2019. De Crescenzo died several days later on 19 July at the age of 90.[3][4]
