Amedeo Nazzari
The towering matinee idol of Italian cinema whose heroic persona captivated audiences from the Fascist era through the postwar economic boom.
1907–1979 (age 72)·Italian actor·Birthday: December 10·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Amedeo Nazzari possessed a commanding screen presence that made him a defining face of Italian popular cinema for over three decades. With his tall frame, stern jawline, and aura of rugged integrity, he often played soldiers, adventurers, and men of action, earning comparisons to Errol Flynn. His stardom ignited in the late 1930s, and he navigated the complexities of the film industry under Mussolini's regime without becoming a overt political symbol. This adaptability allowed his career to flourish after the war, where he shifted seamlessly into melodramas and comedies, even parodying his own heroic image. Nazzari's longevity was a testament to his connection with everyday Italian audiences, who saw in him a steadfast, idealized version of masculine resilience through decades of national change.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Amedeo was born in 1907, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Amedeo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1907
Amedeo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1907Born
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1912Started school
Titanic sinks on its maiden voyage
President: William Howard Taft
1920Became a teenager
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1923Could drive
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1925Could vote
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1928Turned 21
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1937Turned 30
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1947Turned 40
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 50
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 60
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 70
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1979Died at 72
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
Key Achievements
- Starred in 'Luciano Serra, Pilota' (1938), a major propaganda film that cemented his early stardom.
- Delivered a celebrated performance in Federico Fellini's 'Nights of Cabiria' (1957), proving his dramatic range beyond heroic roles.
- Won the David di Donatello award for Best Actor for his role in 'The Facts of Murder' (1959).
- Appeared in over 90 films throughout his career, spanning from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Did You Know?
His real name was Amedeo Carlo Leone Buffa.
He initially studied engineering before turning to acting.
He was known for performing many of his own stunts.
A dedicated smoker, he was rarely seen without a cigarette in hand in films and in life.
“The camera doesn't lie; it reveals the man you choose to show.”
