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List of Italian-American actors

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Italian American actors or must have references showing they are Italian American actors and are notable. As discussed in the 2005 book Hollywood Italians by Peter E. Bondanella, as well as numerous other sources, Italian-American actors have made a significant impact.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The Guild of Italian American Actors was founded in 1937.[citation needed]

Background

Some Italian-American film directors of the silent film era included Robert Vignola, Gregory LaCava, Frank Borzage (Borzaga) and Frank Capra.[7] Italian-American actors included Enrico Caruso in the cultural legitimation of American silent cinema, to Rudolph (Rodolfo) Valentino.

The of American film Renaissance (New Hollywood) in the 1970s coincided with Scorsese's Mean Streets (1973) and Coppola's The Godfather (1972), Giuliana Muscio attributes this to Italian Americans becoming better educated and more affluent after World War II.[7]

Muscio connects the prominence of Italian-American director-actors to the Capocomico [it] of traditional Italian theatre. Such director-actors include: Danny DeVito, John Turturro, Steve Buscemi, Vincent Gallo, Al Pacino, Stanley Tucci, Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Gary Sinise, Anne Bancroft, and Madonna.[7]

List

The list is organized chronologically, listing Italian American actors by birth date periods.

1880

  • Eduardo Ciannelli (1888–1969) was an Italian baritone and character actor with a long career in American films, mostly playing gangsters and criminals

1890

1900s

  • Don Ameche (Amici) (1908–1993) 50% Italian, actor and director[9]
  • Peter Brocco (1903 – 1992) was an American screen and stage actor. He appeared in over 300 credits, notably Spartacus (1960) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
  • Iron Eyes Cody (Espera Decorti) (1907–1999) son of Sicilian parents – actor, frequently played Native Americans[10]
  • Jerry Colonna (1904–1986) actor, entertainer, musician[11]
  • Russ Columbo (1908–1934) singer, violinist and actor, perhaps most famous for his signature tune, "You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love", and the legend surrounding his early death[12]
  • Lou Costello (Cristillo) (1906–1959) 62.5% Italian, 25% Irish, and 12.5% French – actor and comedian known as half of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello[13]
  • Renata Vanni (1909–2004) was born in Naples, Campania, Italy[14]

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

See also

References

  • Peter Bogdanella, Hollywood Italians: Dagos, Palookas, Romeos, Wise Guys, and Sopranos, New York: The Continuum IPG, 2004 – ISBN 0-8264-1544-X
  • Victoria Thomas, Hollywood's Latin Lovers: Latino, Italian, and French Men Who Make the Screen Smolder, Santa Monica: Angel City Press, 1998 – ISBN 1-8833-1841-6

Footnotes

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