Remo Girone has died, he became famous with 'La Piovra' on TV

The Italian entertainment world mourns Remo Girone, an extraordinarily talented actor and one of the most recognisable faces in film, theatre and television who died today at the age of 76. Born in Asmara, Eritrea, on 1 December 1948, Girone was the son of an Italian family that had built its life in the African colony. When he was only thirteen, he moved to Rome, where he completed his studies and embarked on a path that would make him one of our country's most iconic actors.

After a brief passage at the University of Economics, Girone chose to pursue his artistic vocation and attended the 'Silvio d'Amico' National Academy of Dramatic Art. His talent soon made a name for itself in the theatres, where he intensely interpreted classics by Shakespeare, Chekhov and Miller under the guidance of directors such as Luca Ronconi and Peter Stein. True popularity, however, came through television. In the 1980s, the role of the boss Tano Cariddi in the cult series La Piovra made him an icon, consigning him to collective memory as the interpreter of one of the most charismatic and complex characters in Italian fiction.

Girone was not only a man of the stage and small screen. The cinema offered him important roles, in Italy and abroad. Memorable was his portrayal of Enzo Ferrari in Ford v Ferrari (Le Mans '66), a film directed by James Mangold in 2019, which brought him to the attention of a large international audience. Alongside his career, Girone enjoyed a long love affair with actress Victoria Zinny, his life partner since the 1980s. His existence was also marked by difficult moments: during the filming of La Piovra he faced a battle with cancer, which he managed to overcome with determination and courage. An experience that contributed to the public's admiration and affection for him.

With his deep voice, ability to give depth to controversial characters and magnetic stage presence, Remo Girone has left an indelible mark on Italian show business. From theatre to international cinema, from the face of the criminal Tano Cariddi to the elegance of Enzo Ferrari, his career has been a journey of more than fifty years, made up of passion, intensity and talent.