Franco Zeffirelli - Producer, Birthday and Family
Franco Zeffirelli's Personal Details
Franco Zeffirelli is a celebrated Italian director and producer
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 12, 1923 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Famous | Gays, Film & Theater Personalities, Film Director, Producer |
| Birth Place | Florence, Italy |
| Political Ideology | Forza Italia |
| Height | 188 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Adelaide Garosi |
| Mother | Ottorino Corsi |
| Net Worth | $0.9 million as of February 8,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | Florence, Italy |
| Famous as | Film Director and Producer |
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Franco Zeffirelli's photo
Who is Franco Zeffirelli?
Franco Zeffirelli is a celebrated Italian director and producer. Born out of wedlock in early 1920s, initially he was placed with a peasant family, but later his mother took him home. Unfortunately, she died by the time he was six. Thereafter, he was placed with a paternal aunt and grew up under the patronage of some British ladies; who had great influence on his young mind. He first grew interested in theatre while in school; but made up his mind to seek a career in entertainment only after watching Laurence Olivier's ‘Henry V’ at the age of twenty-two. Today he is known as much for his classic films as for his grand scale operas. In fact, all through his working life, he has shuttled between film and opera, making his mark in each field with equal dexterity. He is especially known for his film adaption of Shakespearean plays like ‘Romeo Juliet’, ‘Taming the Shrew’ and Othello’. His popular opera productions include ‘La bohème’, ‘Tosca’, ‘Turandot’ and ‘Don Giovanni’. His penchant for thorough research and authentic details has set him apart from his contemporaries. In later years, he entered politics and was a member of Italian Senate from 1994 to 2001.
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Childhood & Early Life
Franco Zeffirelli was born on 12 February 1923, in the outskirts of Florence out of an extramarital affair between Ottorino Corsi, wool and silk dealer, and Alaide Garosi, a fashion designer. Both of them were married and so he could neither be given his father’s name nor could his mother take him home.
His mother placed him with a peasant family, but did not really abandon him. Originally he was named Gianfranco Corsi, but later she changed it to Franco Zeffiretti (meaning "little breezes" as mentioned in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte). However, it was misspelled during registration and thus he became Zeffirelli.
After her husband’s death two years later, Alaide Garosi’s brought her son home. Unfortunately, she died from tuberculosis within four years and so six years old Franco went to live with his father’s cousin Lide and grew up under the patronage of the English expatriate community, known as the Scorpioni.
He had his schooling at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, an esteemed art school founded during the Renaissance. On passing out from there in 1941, he entered the University of Florence with art and architecture on the advice of his father. Here he came in touch with the University’s theatre group.
By now Italy had joined the Second World War as an Axis power. Zeffirelli joined the resistance group and started working as an interpreter for the British soldiers of the 1st Scots Guards.
After the war, he rejoined the University of Florence, but now he took greater interest in theatre. Once he saw Laurence Olivier's ‘Henry V’ (1945), he made up his mind to go into entertainment business.
Career
Franco Zeffirelli began his career as a screen painter. In 1946, he met Luchino Visconti and joined his Morelli-Stoppa Company as an actor and assistant director. After working with him in different films, most important of which was ‘La terra trema’ (1948), he decided to concentrate on stage design.
His first major work in this field was 1952-1953 production of ‘L’Italiana in Algeri’. It was a two act drama giocoso by Gioachino Rossini, held at La Scala, Milan.
Concurrently, he kept on assisting well-known film directors and worked in films like ‘Bellissima’ (1951), 'Senso' (1954), 'Lo Scapolo' (1955) and 'Andrea Chenier ' (1955). Since then he has been successfully shuttling between opera, theatre and films.
In 1960s, he successfully designed and directed his own plays in London and New York; but soon his interest turned to film direction. He first chose William Shakespeare’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’, starting work in 1966. The film had Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the lead role and was shot in Italy.
However, before he could finish it, flood on the Arno River (in November 1966) caused havoc in Florence, killing more than a hundred people, destroying many invaluable art pieces. Zeffirelli stopped the work to make a documentary on it.
Titled, ‘Florence: Days of Destruction’, it was a 50 minutes documentary narrated by Richard Burton in English and Italian. The film earned more than $20 million, which he donated for reconstruction of the city.
’Taming of the Shrew’ was released on March 8, 1967. Made with a budget of $4 million and distributed by Columbia Pictures, the film grossed $8 million in North America and $12 million worldwide, making it the 25th highest grossing picture of 1967.
Zeffirelli’s next film, ‘Romeo Juliet’, was also filmed in Italy. It was distributed by Paramount Pictures and had Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey in the lead roles. Released on 8 October, 1968, it earned $38.9 million at the box office and also an Oscar nomination.
His next chose a very different subject and in 1972 made ‘Brother Sun Sister Moon’ on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The film was highly praised for its lush photography and earned $1,200,000 in US and Canada rentals alone.
Zeffirelli’s next major work was a television miniseries titled ‘Jesus of Nazareth’. The miniseries was shot mainly in Morocco and Tunisia in 1975 and 1976. Based on the life of Jesus Christ, from birth to crucifixion and resurrection, it was directed and co-written by him and was first aired in March 1977.
Zeffirelli spent 1978, working as a stage director in two operas, 'Cavalleria rusticana' and 'Pagliacci'. Next in 1979, he made ‘The Champ’. It was remake of an earlier movie of the same name. The film earned Academy Award nomination and did well at the box office.
In July 1981, he released his next film ‘Endless Love’. Although the film received very poor reviews, it was a box office success.
1982, was a busy year for Zeffirelli. This year, he had three opera-based films released; they were ‘La Traviata’, 'Cavalleria rusticana' and 'Pagliacci'. Besides he also created a live opera show, titled ‘La bohème’, for the Metropolitan Opera, New York.
His next important film was ‘Otello’, released at the end of 1986. The film, made in Italian, was based on the Giuseppe Verdi opera of the same name, which in turn was based on the Shakespeare’s play Othello. The shooting was done in Italy and Netherland.
’Hamlet’, again based on Shakespeare’s play of the same name, was his next major work. The film made in English, had limited release in December 1990 and worldwide release in the following month. Although the film received a mixed review, the critics were unanimous in praising Zeffirelli’s direction.
His next film, ‘Storia di una capinera’ (Sparrow), was released in Italy in 1993 and in UK in 1994. It was filmed in Sicily and was based on Giovanni Verga's novel of the same name. Made in Italian, it was awarded the best Latin film of the Year.
Zeffirelli then chose Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel, ‘Jane Eyre’ for his next project. The film, also named ‘Jane Eyre’, is an American, British, French and Italian romantic epic and was mostly filmed at Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire, UK. Released on April 12, 1996, it earned $5,200,601 at the box office.
His next film, titled ‘Tea with Mussolini’, was a semi-autobiographical work. This 1999 Anglo-Italian film was about a young Italian boy, brought up by a circle of British and American women, before as well as during the Second World War.
His last major work, ‘Callas Forever’, was a biographical film and also his homage to internationally acclaimed opera diva Maria Callas. Filmed in Bucharest, Andalusia, and Paris, it was indeed a great success both critically and financially.
Major Works
‘Taming of the Shrew’ (1967), ‘Romeo Juliet’ (1968), ‘Hamlet’ (1990) and ‘Tea with Mussolini’ (1999) are some of Zeffirelli’s best pictures. In the field of opera, his most important works were ‘La trant viata’, ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’, ‘La Bohème’, ‘Tosca’, ‘Falstaff’, and ‘Carmen’.
Television miniseries titled ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ is another of his important work. First aired from 27 March to 24 April 1977, it has been re-telecast several times. Even today in many countries, the miniseries is telecast every Christmas and Easter
Awards & Achievements
Franco Zeffirelli has won David di Donatello Awards for his work in ‘Romeo Juliet’ (1968), ‘Brother Sun, Sister Moon’ (1972) and ‘Hamlet’ (1990). He also received two special David di Donatello Awards in 1979 and 2002.
In 1984, he won BAFTA Award for ‘La traviata’.
In 1985 and 1986, he won Primetime Emmy awards for Outstanding Individual Achievements - Classical Music/Dance Programming.
In 1977, he was made a Grande Ufficiale OMRI of the Italian Republic.
In November 2004, he was created the Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
In 1996, he was awarded an honorary degree for services to the arts by the University of Kent.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1996, it was revealed that Franco Zeffirelli is a gay. He however, likes to call himself as homosexual, because he finds the term more elegant. He has two adopted sons, who look after his affairs. Other than that he is very discreet about his personal life.
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Franco Zeffirelli's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Primetime Emmy Awards | ||
| 1986 | Outstanding Individual Achievements - Classical Music/Dance Programming | Great Performances (1971) |
| 1985 | Outstanding Individual Achievement - Classical Music/Dance Programming - Directing | Pagliacci (1982) |
BAFTA Awards | ||
| 1984 | Best Production Design/Art Direction | La traviata (1982) |
Franco Zeffirelli biography timelines
- // 1847 To 12th Apr 1996Zeffirelli then chose Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel, ‘Jane Eyre’ for his next project. The film, also named ‘Jane Eyre’, is an American, British, French and Italian romantic epic and was mostly filmed at Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire, UK. Released on April 12, 1996, it earned $5,200,601 at the box office.
- // 12th Feb 1923Franco Zeffirelli was born on 12 February 1923, in the outskirts of Florence out of an extramarital affair between Ottorino Corsi, wool and silk dealer, and Alaide Garosi, a fashion designer. Both of them were married and so he could neither be given his father’s name nor could his mother take him home.
- // 1941He had his schooling at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, an esteemed art school founded during the Renaissance. On passing out from there in 1941, he entered the University of Florence with art and architecture on the advice of his father. Here he came in touch with the University’s theatre group.
- // 1945After the war, he rejoined the University of Florence, but now he took greater interest in theatre. Once he saw Laurence Olivier's ‘Henry V’ (1945), he made up his mind to go into entertainment business.
- // 1946 To 1948Franco Zeffirelli began his career as a screen painter. In 1946, he met Luchino Visconti and joined his Morelli-Stoppa Company as an actor and assistant director. After working with him in different films, most important of which was ‘La terra trema’ (1948), he decided to concentrate on stage design.
- // 1952 To 1953His first major work in this field was 1952-1953 production of ‘L’Italiana in Algeri’. It was a two act drama giocoso by Gioachino Rossini, held at La Scala, Milan.
- // 1966In 1960s, he successfully designed and directed his own plays in London and New York; but soon his interest turned to film direction. He first chose William Shakespeare’s ‘Taming of the Shrew’, starting work in 1966. The film had Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the lead role and was shot in Italy.
- // Nov 1966However, before he could finish it, flood on the Arno River (in November 1966) caused havoc in Florence, killing more than a hundred people, destroying many invaluable art pieces. Zeffirelli stopped the work to make a documentary on it.
- // 8th Mar 1967’Taming of the Shrew’ was released on March 8, 1967. Made with a budget of $4 million and distributed by Columbia Pictures, the film grossed $8 million in North America and $12 million worldwide, making it the 25th highest grossing picture of 1967.
- // 8th Oct 1968Zeffirelli’s next film, ‘Romeo Juliet’, was also filmed in Italy. It was distributed by Paramount Pictures and had Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey in the lead roles. Released on 8 October, 1968, it earned $38.9 million at the box office and also an Oscar nomination.
- // 1972His next chose a very different subject and in 1972 made ‘Brother Sun Sister Moon’ on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The film was highly praised for its lush photography and earned $1,200,000 in US and Canada rentals alone.
- // 1977In 1977, he was made a Grande Ufficiale OMRI of the Italian Republic.
- // 24th Apr 1977Television miniseries titled ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ is another of his important work. First aired from 27 March to 24 April 1977, it has been re-telecast several times. Even today in many countries, the miniseries is telecast every Christmas and Easter
- // 1978 To 1979Zeffirelli spent 1978, working as a stage director in two operas, 'Cavalleria rusticana' and 'Pagliacci'. Next in 1979, he made ‘The Champ’. It was remake of an earlier movie of the same name. The film earned Academy Award nomination and did well at the box office.
- // Jul 1981In July 1981, he released his next film ‘Endless Love’. Although the film received very poor reviews, it was a box office success.
- // 19821982, was a busy year for Zeffirelli. This year, he had three opera-based films released; they were ‘La Traviata’, 'Cavalleria rusticana' and 'Pagliacci'. Besides he also created a live opera show, titled ‘La bohème’, for the Metropolitan Opera, New York.
- // 1984In 1984, he won BAFTA Award for ‘La traviata’.
- // 1985 To 1986In 1985 and 1986, he won Primetime Emmy awards for Outstanding Individual Achievements - Classical Music/Dance Programming.
- // 1986His next important film was ‘Otello’, released at the end of 1986. The film, made in Italian, was based on the Giuseppe Verdi opera of the same name, which in turn was based on the Shakespeare’s play Othello. The shooting was done in Italy and Netherland.
- // Dec 1990’Hamlet’, again based on Shakespeare’s play of the same name, was his next major work. The film made in English, had limited release in December 1990 and worldwide release in the following month. Although the film received a mixed review, the critics were unanimous in praising Zeffirelli’s direction.
- // 1993 To 1994His next film, ‘Storia di una capinera’ (Sparrow), was released in Italy in 1993 and in UK in 1994. It was filmed in Sicily and was based on Giovanni Verga's novel of the same name. Made in Italian, it was awarded the best Latin film of the Year.
- // 1996In 1996, he was awarded an honorary degree for services to the arts by the University of Kent.
- // 1996In 1996, it was revealed that Franco Zeffirelli is a gay. He however, likes to call himself as homosexual, because he finds the term more elegant. He has two adopted sons, who look after his affairs. Other than that he is very discreet about his personal life.
- // 1999His next film, titled ‘Tea with Mussolini’, was a semi-autobiographical work. This 1999 Anglo-Italian film was about a young Italian boy, brought up by a circle of British and American women, before as well as during the Second World War.
- // Nov 2004In November 2004, he was created the Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
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Franco Zeffirelli's FAQ
What is Franco Zeffirelli birthday?
Franco Zeffirelli was born at 1923-02-12
Where is Franco Zeffirelli's birth place?
Franco Zeffirelli was born in Florence, Italy
What is Franco Zeffirelli nationalities?
Franco Zeffirelli's nationalities is Italian
What is Franco Zeffirelli's political ideology?
Franco Zeffirelli's political ideology is Forza Italia
How tall is Franco Zeffirelli?
Franco Zeffirelli's height is 188
Who is Franco Zeffirelli's father?
Franco Zeffirelli's father is Adelaide Garosi
Who is Franco Zeffirelli's mother?
Franco Zeffirelli's mother is Ottorino Corsi
What is Franco Zeffirelli's sun sign?
Franco Zeffirelli is Aquarius
How famous is Franco Zeffirelli?
Franco Zeffirelli is famouse as Film Director and Producer