Maurizio Arena (26 December 1933 – 21 November 1979) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in more than 70 films between 1952 and 1978.

Maurizio Arena
Born
Maurizio Di Lorenzo

(1933-12-26)26 December 1933
Rome, Italy
Died21 November 1979(1979-11-21) (aged 45)
Rome, Italy
OccupationActor
Years active1952–1978

Life and career

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Born in Rome as Maurizio Di Lorenzo, Arena made his film debut at nineteen years old, with a small role in Bellezze in moto-scooter.[1] His breakout role came in 1956 with the role of Romolo in the successful Dino Risi's romance-comedy film Poor, But Handsome.[1] Until the early 1960s Arena was one of the most popular actors in the Italian cinema, and was a regular feature of gossip columns for his tumultuous personal life.[1]

In later years his celebrity declined, and Arena found roles as a character actor in smaller films, and occasionally worked as a singer.[1] He became an alternative medicine healer with some local following.[1]

He died at age 45 following a heart attack, a complication from a long-standing renal condition.[2]

In 2008 a park was named after him in his native district Garbatella.[3]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Roberto Chiti, Roberto Poppi. Dizionario del cinema italiano. Gli attori. Gremese Editore, 2003. ISBN 8884402131.
  2. ^ Luciano Curino (23 November 1979). "Addio, superfusto degli Anni Cinquanta". La Stampa. p. 18.
  3. ^ Cecilia Cirenei (14 February 2008). "Nel compleanno alla Garbatella un parco per Maurizio Arena". La Repubblica. p. 17. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
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