Antonino Faà di Bruno


Antonino Faà di Bruno, was an Italian actor and former military officer.

Biography

A member of the aristocratic Faà di Bruno family, Antonino Faà di Bruno was born in London, the son of Marchese Alessandro Faà di Bruno and of his wife Fanny Costì. He was named after his namesake ancestor, Antonino Faà di Bruno, who was Bishop of Asti in the 19th century.
He took up a military career, becoming a lieutenant in the grenadiers and fighting in Italian East Africa. After his retirement in 1964, with the rank of Brigadier General, Faà di Bruno started a career as an actor, working with Carlo Lizzani, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Vittorio De Sica, Billy Wilder, Federico Fellini, Luciano Salce, Mario Monicelli.
Tall at 1.96 meters, with a baritone voice and an aristocratic bearing, Antonino Faà di Bruno was often cast in roles of high rank, nobleman, officers and members of the ruling class. He performed as a character actor in several commedia all'italiana films, and became known for playing the role of retired Lt.Col. Vittorio Emanuele Ribaud, who attempted a coup d'état in We Want the Colonels, and of the Duke-Count Piercarlo Semenzara in Il secondo tragico Fantozzi.

Personal life and death

In 1947 he married the widow of his cousin Emilio Faà di Bruno who had died in 1943, Anna Maria Andreini. He later adopted their daughters, Camilla and Costanza.
Away from his public life, he enjoyed dwelling in the countryside of Istia d'Ombrone.
He died at 70 following complications from a traumatic brain injury that he suffered after being hit by a bus.

Filmography