Myrtle Claus
Of course you know a whole bunch of world famous Italians. Because who hasn't heard of Zucchero Fornaciari, or of Eros Ramazzotti and Laura Pausini. Not to mention all kinds of famous football players such as Totti, Pirlo and Mancini and trainers Lippi, Donadoni and Prandelli. Or by writers such as Paolo Giordano, Roberto Saviano and Melania Mazzucco. And how about actors like Marcello Mastroianni, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Roberto Benigni or Monica Bellucci? Or from a composer like Ennio Morricone? There are of course many more famous Italians, who are unknown to us.
For us Dutch and Flemish there are countless unknown Italians, who are world famous in their own country. That's why a selection of the many names of famous Italians. So that during your next holiday in Italy you know exactly who is who when you see someone on TV. Or know which BI person is involved if one of the following names is mentioned in a conversation.
Jovanotti
Italian singer-songwriter, rapper and DJ. Since his fame began to grow in the late 80s, Jovanotti has become an integral part of the Italian pop scene. In addition to his increasingly politically and socially involved songs, he still brings a real one every year smash out, which you can hear all over Italy all summer (and long after). Examples: L'estate adosso en estate.
Marco Mengoni
Singer songwriter. Participated in the Italian version of . in 2009 X Factor. Became winner of the 2013 Sanremo Festival with The essential. Won twice the Best European Act on the MTV Europe Music Awards and was the only Italian artist to reach the final of the Best Worldwide Act of the same awards.
Elisa
Musical centipede-producer-director-photographer-writer. Is one of the few Italian singer-songwriters with a largely English repertoire. Wrote in 2013 Still here on a composition by Ennio Morricone for Tarantino's D. Her voice has been compared to Alanis Morissette and her style to Björk.
Noemi
Singer-screenwriter-director. Striking appearance with her orange or red hair strands, possibly supplemented with a dreadlock. Became famous after her participation in X Factor in 2009. Although the edition did not win, it turned out to be the most successful of all participants. Signed a contract with the record label Sony Music. Sono solo parole is one of her most famous songs. Until 2015 coach at the Italian version of The Voice.
Checco Zalone
Comedian – director/actor – singer-songwriter. Stage name of Luca Medici who debuted as a comedian on the stage of the TV program Zelig. Checco Zalone is a corruption of Che Cozzalone that in slang means 'what a brat' and refers to his characters: patjepeeërs, full of themselves, but at the same time showing a lack of general development.
Break through with his hit We are a very strong team during the 2006 World Cup, where Italy eventually became champions. Has released a total of four films since 2009 in which social themes are touched in a comical way but with serious undertones for the good listener. His films are real blockbusters and in Italy they are formidable competitors for films such as Avatar and Star Wars.
Alessandro Gassmann
Actor. Son of Italian actor Alessandro Gassman and French actress Juliette Mayniel. Debuted at age 17 in the autobiographical film written and directed by his father From father to son. Has a long line of films and television series to his credit. Abroad probably best known for his role as Nanni Moretti's brother in the latter's film Calm chaos. Gets with age an increasingly characteristic face that speaks.
Sabrina Ferilli
Actress and presenter. Won three Nastri d'Argento, a Golden Globe, three Golden Ciak and numerous other awards and accolades, including four nominations for the David di Donatello. Was part of the cast of Sorrentino's Oscar-winning film in 2013 La Grande Bellezza. Is a huge fan of AS Roma and does not hide that. As promised, walked through the stadium almost naked after Roma won the championship in 2001.
Paola cortellesi
Comedienne, actress, singer and presenter. Known for her parody of famous Italians and her comic characters. She has made a number of theatrical appearances, has appeared in TV shows and radio programs and has appeared in over 20 films. Received a David di Donatello in 2011 for her role in No one can judge me.
Fabio Volo
Actor, writer, radio host, TV host and screenwriter. First achieving success on radio and television, his activities expanded to film and theater, and eventually became best known as an author. His latest book E' tutta vita ended up in the top ten best-selling books in no time.
Carlo Conti
Television writer, TV presenter and radio host. Started his career as a radio host and DJ. Made his TV debut in 1985. Hosted several well-known TV shows and five editions of Miss Italia in his career. Since 2014, he has been the host and artistic director of the Festival of Sanremo. Often made fun of because of his dark complexion, even by Italian standards.
Fiorello
Comedian, singer, television and radio host and much more. This very talented centipede started as an animator in holiday parks and was scouted there. Switched to Radio DJ, a national radio station as impersonator and DJ. Presented very successful full-length one-man shows on TV several times. Made a big impression on guests such as Dustin Hoffman, John Travolta and Liza Minelli. Created his own show on the internet in 2013, Flower newsstand, where he and his neighbors received well-known Italians from the kiosk in his street. Is the figurehead of telephone provider WIND.
Alessia Marcozzi
Ex-model and TV presenter. Acted in several films and TV series, including the successful Carabinieri. Known as presenter of the Italian version of Big Brother en L'Isola dei famosic ("The Island of the Celebrities," a program derived from Expedition Robinson). Was in a relationship with football player Simone Inzaghi. Former face of a yogurt brand that is said to be very good for the intestinal flora and the line.
Mary Vernier
Actress and TV presenter. Started out as an actress and debuted in the late 80s as a TV host. Presented the much-watched Sunday afternoon program during the 90s with great success Sunday In. Acted and presented until 1998 and then decided to focus solely on presenting. Is a regular guest on other talk shows.
Claudio Bisio
Actor, comedian, TV presenter. Since his youth active as a (theatre) actor. Starred in the Oscar-winning movie Mediterranean from friend Gabriele Salvatores. Was at the cradle of the TV program in 1997 Zelig, which was a springboard for a successful career for several Italian stand-up comedians and actors. Played the lead role in several successful Italian films. Is currently a jury member at Italy's got talent.
Luciana Littizeto
Comedian, writer, actress. Known for her irreverent gags, in which she mocks the government, ministers and religious leaders and does not shy away from using coarse language. Is a weekly guest at the Sunday primetime program What's the weather like. Together with the host of that program, Fabio Fazio, presented San Remo twice. Supports a stricter Italian policy on sexual harassment. Is a jury member at Italy's got talent.
Maurizio Crozza
Actor and satirical comedian. One of the most famous faces of the Italian channel LA7. Provides a weekly satirical intro to a political talk show, regularly poking fun at the show's political guests. His caricatural parables of politicians are often better known than themselves or even make them familiar faces. Has his own well-watched program in which he responds with his parodies to the events in Italy and the rest of the world.
Enrico Mentana
Journalist, news anchor and TV presenter. Aimed for Mediaset the newscast TG5, which became a formidable competitor to the public TG1 newscast. Resigned after the board decided following the death of Eluana Englaro, an Italian woman who rose to prominence for the struggle her father faced. Beppe argued around performing euthanasia, preferring to broadcast the Italian Big Brother rather than provide an extra news broadcast. Switched after LA7 and now presents the news there as an anchorman, among other things.
Lilli Gruber
Journalist, ex-politician, TV presenter. Started her journalism career in 1987 and soon after became anchorwoman for TG1, the main newscaster on Rai Uno. As a foreign correspondent, she covered the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the war in the former Yugoslavia, the situation in the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the war in Iraq. Resigned from RAI in 2004 in protest at Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's control of the media. Was a member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2008, but returned to journalism. Presents a political talk show every night at eight thirty.
Carlo Cracco
Chef and TV personality. It received several Michelin stars for its restaurant. Has been a not too diplomatic jury member of the Italian edition of from 2011 Team Building. Presents from 2014 Hell's Kitchen Italy. In addition, very surprisingly for a top chef, he is the face of a well-known chip brand in Italy, which means that he can be seen on buses in Italian traffic with a chip in his hand.
Antonella Clerici
Journalist and TV presenter. Started with her great knowledge of football as a sports reporter. Today she is mainly known for a completely different sport: her cooking show Chef's Test in which every day at noon the team of the 'red tomato' and the 'green pepper', each consisting of a chef and a participant, compete for the honor of preparing a full meal in a short time. Also presented several other primetime programs. She has a huge head of blond curls and is the Italian 'girl next door'.
They were. 20 famous Italians – or BI'ers. How many do you know from this list?
Photo above: Laura Pausini, Wikimedia
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