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1-50 of 462
- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Rose McGowan is an American actress and director, known for her contribution to independent film. Since the age of nineteen, she has appeared in acclaimed films by Gregg Araki, Wes Craven, Brian De Palma, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. In 2014, her directorial debut Dawn (2014) was nominated for the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Rose Arianna McGowan was born on September 5, 1973 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy, to American parents Terri and Daniel Patrick McGowan. She is the second eldest of six siblings, and has Irish, French, and English ancestry. As a young child, she was raised within the Italian chapter of the Children of God. During the early 1980s, her family severed ties with the community and migrated to Eugene, Oregon, USA. Following the divorce of her parents, Rose relocated to Gig Harbor, Washington, to live with her grandmother. At age 14, McGowan was accused of drug use by a family friend and committed to rehabilitation. She has consistently maintained the decision was unjustified. Upon release, she spent a year without a home and was emancipated from her parents by the age of 15. McGowan's career as an actor began with The Doom Generation (1995). Originally intended for Jordan Ladd, the character of Amy Blue was, coincidentally, awarded to McGowan by an associate of director Gregg Araki. For her performance, she was nominated at the 1995 Independent Spirit Awards for Best Debut Performance. Subsequently cast in Wes Craven's Scream (1996), she experienced further success when the project defied expectations to become one of the highest grossing films of the year. The innovative career of McGowan was overshadowed throughout much of the 1990s by her high-profile relationship with musician Brian Warner (aka Marilyn Manson). Strong performances in Going All the Way (1997), Lewis & Clark & George (1997), Southie (1998) and Jawbreaker (1999) were largely unseen by the general public. When the relationship ended between Rose and Manson in 2001, she remarked: "There is great love, but our lifestyle difference is, unfortunately, even greater". Rose continued to work solidly, appearing in a string of soft-sounding studio and independent films. Performances from this period included: a political activist in Showtime's The Killing Yard (2001), a grifter in Roads to Riches (2002) and a factory worker in "Stealing Bess" (aka Vacuums (2003)). She was re-introduced to the mainstream as Paige Matthews in Aaron Spelling's Charmed (1998), a popular television series for which she devoted five consecutive years. When "Charmed" finished its run in 2006, McGowan emerged in top form. Critics praised her efforts in Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror (2007), and Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof (2007). In several interviews, McGowan has expressed a general apathy and disdain for Hollywood. Despite this, her work ethic remains strong. Following her recent marriage to LA-based artist Davey Detail, the actress has resolved to purse further projects as a director.- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Alba Rohrwacher was born on 27 February 1979 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She is an actress, known for Hungry Hearts (2014), The Wonders (2014) and I Am Love (2009).- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Mark Thompson was born on 1 December 1955 in Florence, Alabama, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Mother Ghost (2002), Jason Goes to Hell (1993) and 2:13 (2009). He has been married to Lynda Thompson since 21 August 1982. They have three children.- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Writer
George P. Cosmatos was born on 4 January 1941 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He was a director and assistant director, known for Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Leviathan (1989) and Cobra (1986). He was married to Birgitta Ljungberg. He died on 19 April 2005 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.- Additional Crew
- Production Designer
- Director
Franco Zeffirelli is an Italian director and producer of operas, films and television. He was also a senator from 1994 until 2001 for the Italian center-right Forza Italia party. Some of his operatic designs and productions have become worldwide classics.
He was known for several of the movies he directed, especially the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet (1968), for which he received an Academy Award nomination. His 1967 version of The Taming of The Shrew (1967) with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton remains the best-known film adaptation of that play as well. His mini-series Jesus of Nazareth (1977) won both national and international acclaim.
In 1999, Zeffirelli received the Crystal Globe award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. In November 2004, he was awarded an honorary knighthood by the United Kingdom. He was awarded the Premio Colosseo in 2009 by the city of Rome.- Vittoria Puccini was born on 18 November 1979 in Florence, Italy. After graduating from high school, she first appeared on screen in Sergio Rubini's TV movie Tutto l'amore che c'è (2000) and in other minor titles, and finally became a star on Italian TV, playing the title character in Elisa di Rivombrosa (2003). She also has appeared in several international productions including Kronprinz Rudolf (2006).
- Actress
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Daria Nicolodi was born on 19 June 1949 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She was an actress and writer, known for Phenomena (1985), Deep Red (1975) and Tenebrae (1982). She died on 26 November 2020 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.- Mark L. Walberg was born on 31 August 1962 in Florence, South Carolina, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Buried History with Mark Walberg (2015), Son of the Beach (2000) and I Want to Marry Ryan Banks (2004). He has been married to Robbi Morgan since 16 August 1987. They have two children.
- Maria Tucci was born on 19 June 1941 in Florence, Italy. She is an actress, known for To Die For (1995), Daniel (1983) and The Slap (2015). She was previously married to Robert Gottlieb.
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Marina Malfatti was born on 25 April 1933 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She was an actress, known for They're Coming to Get You! (1972), Il prato macchiato di rosso (1973) and Sherlock Holmes (1968). She was married to Umberto La Rocca. She died on 8 June 2016 in Rome, Italy.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Lilián García was born on 19 August 1966 in Florence, South Carolina, USA. She is an actress, known for WWE Smackdown! (1999), WWE Raw (1993) and WrestleMania XXVIII (2012). She has been married to Chris Jozeph since 28 September 2009.- Actress
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lorella De Luca was born on 17 September 1940 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She was an actress and assistant director, known for Le fils de Tarass Boulba (1962), Orlando e i Paladini di Francia (1956) and Tough Guys (1974). She was married to Duccio Tessari. She died on 9 January 2014 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Gino Corrado is best known as the waiter in most of the films from Hollywood's Golden Age. He appeared in such popular and beloved films as Casablanca, Citizen Kane, and Gone with the Wind. With over 1,000 appearances (mostly uncredited roles as a bit player or an extra from 1916 until 1956) he has one of the largest filmographies of any actor in the film industry. Three Stooges fans recognized him from his appearances in several memorable Three Stooges shorts, and it was the Three Stooges Fan Club that eventually bought him his gravestone. Corrado's earliest film roles included DW Griffith's Intolerance (1916), Sunrise (1927) and his biggest role as one of the Three Musketeers (Aramis) opposite Douglas Fairbanks in The Iron Mask (1929). Italian-born Gino Corrado's real name was Gino Liserani and his two brothers were also actors. Lawrence Liserani worked mostly as an extra, and Louis (Luigi) Liserani had a few bit roles in the 1920s under the name Louis Dumar.
Corrado was mainly uncredited after the silent era ended and typecast as a waiter or chef. He, incredibly, entered the restaurant business in the late 1940s where he served the motion picture crowd much like on-screen. Kirby Pringle is writing a book about Gino Corrado titled "Waiting on Hollywood: The Tale of an Italian Bit Player," with University Press of Mississippi, due out in early 2022.- Martina Stella was born on 28 November 1984 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She is an actress, known for Nine (2009), Ocean's Twelve (2004) and The Early Bird Catches the Worm (2008). She was previously married to Andrea Manfredonia.
- Actor
- Stunts
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Veteran stuntman and stunt coordinator Henry Wills was born on a cattle ranch in Arizona in 1921. After graduating high school he headed to Hollywood, and was soon working as an extra, mainly in westerns. He picked up some extra money doing stunt work, and soon began to concentrate on that field. He gained a reputation as one of the best horsemen in the business, specializing in horse falls--he's estimated to have done over 1400 of them in his career--transfers from horses to wagons and stagecoaches, and bulldogging (jumping off his horse to take down a rider on another horse), etc. His first job as a full-fledged Stunt Coordinator was on The Magnificent Seven (1960), and he became a Second-Unit Director on Major Dundee (1965). He worked on many of the top TV westerns, and was stunt coordinator and Second Unit Director on the hit series The High Chaparral (1967). He died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, CA, in 1994.- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Elena Sofia Ricci was born on 29 March 1962 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She is an actress and director, known for Loose Cannons (2010), Io e mia sorella (1987) and Ne parliamo lunedì (1989). She has been married to Stefano Mainetti since October 2003. They have one child. She was previously married to Luca Damiani.- Actor
- Producer
- Executive
Cedric Pendleton Actor I Producer I Creative Executive
Bio
Cedric Pendleton, a seasoned actor, producer, and creative executive, stands at the apex of his career. With an unparalleled blend of raw talent and magnetic charisma, he has seamlessly transitioned from working behind the lens to commanding the spotlight across live events, theater, television, and film.
Born in Florence, Alabama, Cedric's journey as a multi-talented artist and executive began at a young age, nurtured by his mother's invaluable lessons in the art of captivating storytelling.
To date, Cedric has left an indelible mark on over forty productions, including collaborations with entertainment giants like Lion's Gate, Fox Searchlight, Warner Brothers, and Tyler Perry Studios.
His on-screen presence has graced groundbreaking films from Tyler Perry's illustrious repertoire, such as the iconic "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and the heartwarming "Madea's Family Reunion." Cedric's versatility extends to the small screen, where his supporting and recurring roles in hit shows like FX's "The Shield," CBS's "The Guardian," and The CW's "One Tree Hill" have garnered acclaim. He has also made memorable appearances on The WB's "Dawson's Creek," Lifetime's "Strong Medicine," HBO's "True Blood," CBS's "CSI: NY," TBS's "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," and Tyler Perry's "The Haves and The Have Nots." Notably, his portrayal in the award-winning Lifetime film "The Fantasia Barrino Story" was a testament to his exceptional talent.
Beyond his on-screen contributions, Cedric is a sought-after visionary as an Executive Producer. He has breathed life into remarkable events and stories, including the awe-inspiring national tour of "High School Battle of the Bands," captivating audiences of up to 60,000 per show. Noteworthy productions under his guidance include Tyler Perry's breakout tour, "I Know I've Been Changed," and Juanita Bynum's powerful "Weapons of Power Conferences," reaching 3.1 million households through televised broadcasts. Recently, Cedric's expertise was instrumental in the Executive Production of the captivating film, "For the Love of Money." Next, he is immersed in a national tour of a groundbreaking mental health initiative for children titled "Don't Bully Me " and held the Co-Executive Producer and star position for the PBS series "The Cool and The Strong."
Cedric's unwavering dedication to his craft drives him to conquer new challenges continually. He passionately embraces the mantra, "I find that the experiences that keep me sharp often lead to opportunities." Notably, his impeccable comedic timing has graced esteemed venues such as The Comedy Store, The Ice House, and Mixed Nuts in Los Angeles, leaving audiences in stitches.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Cedric effortlessly combines intellect and artistry. He fearlessly pushes the boundaries of his craft while nurturing his love for the arts as an active practitioner of Kapoeira Angola.
Prepare to be captivated by Cedric Pendleton, an accomplished professional who leaves an indelible impression on every project he undertakes. His sheer talent and unwavering passion are an unstoppable force, propelling him to ever-greater heights in the realm of entertainment.
#####- Director
- Writer
- Cinematographer
Cinzia TH Torrini was born in Florence and took her diploma at the academy Hochschule für Film und Fernsehen in Munich, Germany. Since than she works as a film director and writer. Her feature film debut is "Giocare d'azzardo" which was presented at the film festival of Venice in 1982. Three years later she is the director of "Hotel Colonial", starring John Savage, and the Oscar® awarded actors Robert Duvall and Massimo Troisi. In the following years she is directing numerous films for television often as international co-productions between Italy, Germany, France and Sweden. For her tv movie "L'Aquila della Notte" with leading actress Elena Sofia Ricci she won in 1993 the award for best director at Umbria Fiction, the award for best film and best leading actress at Sichuan in China and the Valmarana Award of the Italian Cinematic Press Union. For the short film "Sweeties" with Stefania Sandrelli, as part of the collection "Erotic Tales", she receives the Golden Rocky Award at the Banff film festival in Canada in 1996. For her film "Iqbal", a co-production between Rai, arte and the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, which deals with children exploitation, she receives among others the Public Jury Award at the Monte Carlo Television Festival 1999. With the television costume drama "Tides of Change" (2x100'), co-produced by Mediatrade and Beta she gained her first experiences with period pictures in 2000. In 2003 she had a phenomenal success with "Elisa di Rivombrosa" starring Vittoria Puccini and Alessandro Preziosi for Canale 5, the first costume drama for television in a long series (13x100'). The show was sold in various European countries and won many awards including four Telegatti. In her films she reveals a certain attention to social issues and virulent problems of our society. In 2005 she received from the President of the Italian Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi the Order of Merit "Cavaliere Ufficiale". In 2007 she directed "Donna Detective" (6x100'), starring Lucrezia Lante della Rovere and Kaspar Capparoni. Two years later she shot again with Vittoria Puccini the miniseries (2x100') "Tutta la verità" for Rai Uno. With her production company Cassiopea she carried out two documentaries: in 2007 the multi-awarded "Un'incontro con Chiara" and in 2009 "The Bagnaia - the dream of Marisa Riffeser" and developed the mini series in seven episodes "Rebel Land" which she directed in 2010 for Rai Uno. In 2011 she directed the mini series "The Charterhouse of Parma" (2x100') based on the novel by Stendhal, a co-production between Rai Uno and France 3. In France it was rewarded in 2012 as best fiction of the year. In 2013 she produced and directed other two documentaries with her own production company: "The Antinori. Vintners since 1385" and "Florence. World Capital of Arts and Handcrafts". In 2013 she directed "Un'altra vita" (6x100') for the Italian television, which toped the audience ranking of 2014/2015 in the category fiction series. Afterwards she co-wrote and directed the miniseries (2x100') "Anna and Yusef", which was shot in Italy and Tunisia. In 2016/17 she directed the mistery thriller "Sorelle" (6x100'), which was broadcasted very successfully in spring 2017 on Rai Uno.- Ben Bladon is a character actor born and raised in Florence, S.C., and based in Atlanta, Ga. He started his career playing SPFX creatures on Television, and has since moved on to playing Characters, both creature and non creature, ranging from comedic to dramatic and everything in between, in major Television shows and movies
- Chiara Francini was born on 20 December 1976 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She is an actress, known for Miracle at St. Anna (2008), The Worst Week of My Life (2011) and Men Vs Women (2010).
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Francesco Nuti was born on 17 May 1955 in Prato near Florence. He made his debut in cinema industry with Giancattivi trio composed by Alessandro Benvenuti and Athina Cenci. They acted in the film Ad ovest di Paperino (1981) with acclaim from both critics and public. Then he acted with Italian director Maurizio Ponzi in Tuscany's trilogy, What a Ghostly Silence There Is Tonight (1982), The Pool Hustlers (1983), and Son contento (1983). After this experience he decided to direct his own movies Tutta colpa del paradiso (1985), and Caruso Paskoski, Son of a Pole (1988). After box-office hit Donne con le gonne (1991), he tried to make a great style film like OcchioPinocchio (1994), but this film was totally stamped on by critics and was a failure at box-office. He tried a come back with Caruso, zero in condotta (2001) and Concorso di colpa (2004) but he wasn't able to repeat the previous success. In the middle of 2006 he was hospitalized in Rome, where he entered a coma. On 24 November 2006 he came out from the coma and was brought into a rehabilitation center.- Katie was born in Florence, Italy, the daughter of an Italian Marquis and a Yorkshire born mother and came to England when 19 and married Viscount Boyle when 20. She was buying hats when she met Beverly Nicholls, who was writing a story on buying hats. He asked her to model for him and she started her career. She lived down the fact that she was a Marchesa and a lady and became accepted for herself and never advertises anything she doesn't use herself. She married a second time on August 26 1955 to Lloyds underwriter Greville Bayliss who was born in 1920 and died February1976 of a massive coronary, She then married Peter Saunders in 1980, he died February 6th 2006
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Orso Maria Guerrini was born on 25 October 1942 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He is an actor, known for The Bourne Identity (2002), Double Team (1997) and Keoma (1976). He has been married to Cristina Sebastianelli since 4 August 2011. He was previously married to Alessandra Carella and Catherine Spaak.- Aldo Valletti was born on 1 December 1924 in Florence, Italy. He was an actor, known for Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975), I Am Afraid (1977) and L'educanda (1975). He died on 5 October 1992 in Montecarotto, Italy.
- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Daniele Favilli was born on 21 July 1973 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He is an actor and producer, known for Mob Rules (2010), The Bone Merchant and Torchwood (2006).- Buff Cobb was born on 19 October 1927 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She was an actress, known for The Sam Levenson Show (1951), All Around the Town (1951) and Masquerade Party (1952). She was married to Herbert Spencer Martin, Mike Wallace, William Eythe and Greg Bautzer. She died on 12 July 2010 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Leonardo Pieraccioni was born on 17 February 1965 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He is an actor and writer, known for The Cyclone (1996), I laureati (1995) and I Love You in Every Language in the World (2005).- Jennifer Rivell was born on 5 June 1973 in Florence, Alabama, USA. She is an actress, known for Haggard (2003), Adrenaline Rush (2020) and Misdirected (2004).
- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Francesca Bertini was undoubtedly one of the first divas of cinema, a lady not only on screen but also in real life. She made her film debut in La dea del mare (1907) and after that producers fought for her services. In 1921 she married European nobleman and banker Alfred Cartier. She tried her hand at directing films as well as acting in them and turned out two well-received efforts, Assunta Spina (1915) and Tosca (1918)). She made the transition from silent films to talkies, although her output slowed down considerably. Her final role was in Bernardo Bertolucci's 1900 (1976).
A "diva" to the end, she died in a "grand hotel" in Rome, Italy, in 1985, receiving friends and fans on her deathbed in a sumptuous salon.- Actor
- Editorial Department
- Producer
His father's name was Gianfranco Patrizi and was Italian and his mother's name is Brigitte Prager and is Swiss. He stopped acting in 1980 and is now running a production company in Milan for advertising commercials. The company is called New Ways and is one of the top 30 advertising companies in Italy.- Jo-Carroll Dennison was born on 16 December 1923 in Florence, Arizona, USA. She was an actress, known for Dick Tracy (1950), The Jolson Story (1946) and Prehistoric Women (1950). She was married to Russell Stoneham and Phil Silvers. She died on 18 October 2021 in Idyllwild, California, USA.
- Mary Alice Moore was born on 5 December 1923 in Florence, Arizona, USA. She was an actress, known for Tales of Tomorrow (1951), Lights Out (1946) and From These Roots (1958). She was married to Broderick Crawford and Leon Michel. She died on 11 March 1989 in Valencia, California, USA.
- An expert in aesthetic dermatology, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Will Kirby, is the Chief Medical Officer for the nation's leader in aesthetic dermatology, LaserAway.
Dr. Kirby has worked with some of the biggest brands in beauty; He served as the national spokesman for Johnson & Johnson's Neutrogena Dermatologics, as a consultant for Kimberly Clark's Truist Skin Care line, and as Social Media Ambassador for Unilever's Dove Men+Care and for Proctor & Gamble's Old Spice as well as Head & Shoulders.
Dr. Kirby has a degree in Biology from Emory University. He received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University, and completed his first year of postgraduate training in Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center. His dermatology residency training took place in association with Western University/Pacific Hospital where he served as Chief Resident in the Department of Dermatology.
Academically, Dr. Kirby is an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology and the Cosmetic Director for Western Dermatology Residency/Western University of Health Sciences where he teaches dermatology residents the art and science of aesthetic energy-based devices, injectables, and skin care. For over a decade he has served as an expert reviewer for the Osteopathic Medical Board of California in dermatology as well.
Dr. Kirby serves on the editorial advisory board of popular dermatological publications including "Dermatology Times", "The Dermatologist", and "The Journal of Aesthetic and Clinical Dermatology". He has published a number of articles on dermatology in peer-reviewed medical journals and he has authored and co-authored medical text book chapters. He is also the lone Health & Beauty Reporter for "Life & Style Magazine".
Having appeared on more than 40 different television shows, Dr. Kirby is the winner of CBS's "Big Brother 2" and in 2016 he also won "The Price is Right". He was a featured physician on E! Entertainment Television's "Dr. 90210" for two seasons, and has been seen on "The Doctors" multiple times. Other TV appearances have included "The Young & The Restless", "Fox News", "The Real Housewives of Orange County", "E! News", "Regis & Kelly", "The Talk", "Chelsea Lately", "Robot Chicken", "Shahs of Sunset", he plays the bounty hunter 'Karales' on Disney Plus' "Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett", and he has appeared live on QVC more than 100 times. - Writer
- Soundtrack
Dante Alighieri was born in 1265 into the lower nobility of Florence, to Alighiero di Bellincione d'Alighiero, a moneylender. A precocious student, Dante's education focused on rhetoric and grammar. He also became enamored with a young girl, Beatrice Portinari, whose death in 1290 threw a grieving Dante into intense religious studies. Though the Alighieri family had managed to avoid entanglement in the power struggles between the Ghibelline and Guelf families for control of Florence, Dante allied himself with the democratic Guelfs and married a member of that clan, Gemma di Manetto Donati, in 1285.
After serving in the Guelf forces as a cavalryman in the Battle of Campaldino, Dante enrolled in the Guild of Doctors and Pharmacists and became politically active. He became an ambassador and a prior, but after finding himself on the opposite side of the political party in power he was forced to flee Florence in 1301, never able to return to the city of his birth. He narrowly escaped being executed for treason.
Dante left for Verona and Ravenna, where he was joined by his children. He then wrote his most famous work, "Commedia", not in scholarly Latin but in the vernacular Italian of the time, giving his countrymen a literature of their own. In it he would resurrect the love of his youth, Beatrice, giving her a place among the angels. This work would also take the author, escorted by the Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro, on a grand tour to Hell and Purgatory, and later by his beloved Beatrice to Paradise. History would later judge Dante's creation to be divine. Dante Alighieri died in 1321 and was buried in Ravenna. Three sons--Pietro, Jacopo and Giovanni--and a daughter, Antonia, survived him.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Folco Lulli was born on 3 July 1912 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He was an actor and producer, known for The Organizer (1963), The Wages of Fear (1953) and The Tartars (1961). He died on 23 May 1970 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.- Carlo Collodi was born on 24 November 1826 in Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany [now Tuscany, Italy]. He was a writer, known for Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022), Pinocchio (1940) and Pinocchio (2022). He died on 26 October 1890 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy.
- Corey Spears was born on 7 May 1975 in Florence, South Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for Traffic (2000), The Journey of Jared Price (2000) and A Dog's Day Afternoon (2010).
- Art Department
- Writer
- Composer
The archetypal "Renaissance Man," Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest scientific minds as well as one of the greatest visual artists the human race has ever produced. The illegitimate son of a wealthy Florentine notary, Piero da Vinci, and a peasant woman named Caterina, Leonardo was born in Tuscany on April 15, 1452, in Anchiano, a town near Vinci, which is in the proximity of Florence.
When he was about 17 years old, Leonardo was apprenticed as a garzone or studio boy to the workshop of the Renaissance master Andrea Verrocchio, the leading Florentine painter and artist of his day. From roughly 1469 to 1476, Leonardo acquired a variety of skills during his apprenticeship at Verrocchio's workshop, including painting altarpieces and panel pictures and making large sculptures in bronze and marble. In 1472, he joined the painters' guild, and six years later, he became an independent master. His first commission was in 1478, to paint an altarpiece for the Palazzo Vecchio's chapel. The painting was never executed. Florence's Monastery of San Donato a Scopeto commissioned Leonardo's first large painting in 1481. 'The Adoration of the Magi' was left unfinished when Leonardo left Florence for Milan approximately a year later, to work for Duke Lodovico Sforza as court artist and as an engineer.
Leonardo had written the Duke of Milan touting his skills as a military engineer. In his letter, Leonardo claimed that he could build portable bridges, manufacture cannon, and build ships and war machines, including armored vehicles and catapults. He also told the Duke he could sculpt in bronze, clay and marble. He worked for the Duke of Milan for almost 18 years, painting portraits, designing festivals, and planning to sculpt a massive equestrian monument to honor the Duke's father. In addition to serving the duke as an architect and working for him as a military engineer, Leonardo assisted the mathematician Luca Pacioli in the celebrated work Divina Proportione.
Leonardo's interest in science began to flourish in Milan, and as a civil and military engineer, he delved into the field of mechanics. His scientific research also embraced anatomy, biology, mathematics, and physics. It was during this period that he finished "The Last Supper," which along with the "Mona Lisa," is his most significant masterpiece.
France captured Milan in 1499, and Leonardo moved to Mantua and then to Venice to seek employment. By April 1500, he had returned to Florence, though two years later, he left to work for Cesare Borgia, the Duke of Romagna, in a military capacity. The son of Pope Alexander VI, Borgia served his father as his general in-chief. Leonardo. as the duke's chief architect and engineer, supervised construction on forts in the Papal states in central Italy.
Back in Florence in 1503, Leonardo served on the art commission of artists that determined the proper placing of Michelangelo's sculpture 'David.' Florence was at war with Pisa, and Leonardo served the city-state as a military engineer while continuing his scientific research. Leonardo began to design a painting for the great hall of the Palazzo Vecchio to commemorate the Battle of Anghiari, a Florentine victory over Pisa. While Leonardo produced a full-size sketch in 1505, he never executed the wall painting. During his second residency in Florence, Leonardo painted the portrait 'La Giocondane,' more famously known as Mona Lisa. Leonardo apparently was quite fond of the completed work, as it accompanied him on all of his subsequent travels.
Arguably the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa is a bravura technical performance. The innovative Leonardo exhibits his mastery of chiaroscuro, the technique of modeling and defining form through contrasts of light and shadow, and sfumato, the technique of using subtle transitions between areas of color. The Mona Lisa, like many of his paintings, features a landscape background utilizing atmospheric perspective. Leonardo was one of the first painters to introduce atmospheric perspective into art, and his work influenced the High Renaissance Florentine masters, including Raphael. He also was a major influence on the artistic development of Correggio.
Returning to Milan in June 1506, at the invitation of French governor Charles d'Amboise, Leonardo went to work for the French court, which with King Louis XII of France, was residing in the Italian city. Except for a sojourn back in Florence in the period 1507-08, Leonardo stayed in Milan for seven years, though he returned to Florence often to visit his half-brothers and -siters and to manage his inheritance. In 1507, Leonardo went was named court painter to King Louis XII.
In Milan, he worked on engineering projects and on the planning of an equestrian statue to honor Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, the French military commander of Milan. The statue was never realized. During this Milan stay, scientific research became paramount. He applied his artistic gifts toward scientific illustration. In addition to his study of anatomy, he studied the stratification of rocks and researched the principles behind light, the flow of water, and the growth of plants. Leonardo's method was to draw and describe things by first approaching the surface before delving in to the underlying structure. He was interested in exactly describing the appearance of natural things in order to analyze their functioning. Similar to his artistic innovations, Leonardo's scientific theories were based on careful observation, precisely documented. He also made sketches of mechanical devices for the transmission of energy.
Along with Giuliano de'Medici, the brother of Pope Leo X, Leonardo moved to Rome in 1514. Enjoying the patronage of Pope Leo X, he lived in the Palazzo Belvedere in the Vatican and was mostly concerned with scientific experimentation. In 1516, he left Italy and moved to France to become the architectural adviser of King Francis I, an admirer of his work. Leonardo lived at the Château de Cloux, near Amboise, France, where he died on May 2, 1519 at at the age of 67.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Massimo Ceccherini was born on 23 May 1965 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He is an actor and writer, known for Io Capitano (2023), Pinocchio (2019) and Tale of Tales (2015).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Massimo Sarchielli was born on 9 April 1931 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He was an actor and director, known for Ladyhawke (1985), The Conformist (1970) and Under the Tuscan Sun (2003). He died on 11 May 2010 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.- Costume Designer
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Massimo Cantini Parrini was born in 1971 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He is a costume designer, known for Tale of Tales (2015), Dogman (2018) and Ferrari (2023).- Actor
- Additional Crew
Born in Florence, Italy, Andrea Checchi appeared in over 150 films in his lengthy career, from 1934 to his death in 1974. The son of a painter, he studied painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze. Moving to Rome, he attended the acting course held by Alessandro Blasetti, who gave him a small role in Alessandro Blasetti. After graduating the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, he had his first role of weight in the historical drama film L'assedio dell'Alcazar (1940)" by Augusto Genina. He later appeared in Mario Camerini's Due lettere anonime (1945)" (for which he received a Silver Ribbon as best actor), Giuseppe De Santis' Tragic Hunt (1947), Michelangelo Antonioni's The Lady Without Camelias (1953), Vittorio De Sica's Two Women (1960) and Mario Bava's Black Sunday (1960), among many other films. In 1958 he won the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Award for best supporting actor for his performance in Parola di ladro (1957). In 1971 he starred with Giancarlo Giannini in ...e le stelle stanno a guardare (1971), an adaptation of A.J. Cronin's "The Stars Look Down":- Writer
- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Neri Parenti was born on 26 April 1950 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He is a writer and director, known for Holidays on Mars (2020), Ma tu di che segno 6? (2014) and Natale da chef (2017).- Giovanni Boccaccio was born in June 1313 in Certaldo, Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He was a writer, known for The Little Hours (2017), Decameron n° 3 - Le più belle donne del Boccaccio (1972) and Decameron Nights (1953). He died on 21 December 1375 in Certaldo, Florence, Tuscany, Italy.
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Mario Soffici was born on 14 May 1900 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He was a director and actor, known for Celos (1947), Pasó en mi barrio (1951) and Rosaura a las 10 (1958). He died on 10 May 1977 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Brian Reece was born on 26 August 1975 in Florence, South Carolina, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Terminator Salvation (2009), Transformers (2007) and Withered World (2013).- Producer
- Director
- Actor
Morgan Tremaine was born on 9 July 1990 in Florence, Italy. He is a producer and director, known for #Travel (2020).- Actress
- Art Department
Elisa Morucci was born on 8 July 1977 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. She is an actress, known for Malena (2000), The Unknown Woman (2006) and The Ignorant Fairies (2001).- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Piero Umiliani was born on 17 July 1926 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy. He was a composer, known for The Spectacular Now (2013), Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958) and The Muppets (2011). He died on 14 February 2001 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Composer
Donnie Fritts began his career as a musician at the age of 15, playing drums and keyboard.
In 1965 Fritts began writing songs and had songs recorded by Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Nelson and others.
As a songwriter, Donnie's songs were performed and appeared on the national charts by Charlie Rich (You're Gonna Love Yourself In the Morning' (1980), Dolly Parton (We Had It All-1986), and Waylon Jennings (We Had It All-1973).
In 1967, Fritts began playing keyboards for Kris Kristofferson, also a Florence, Alabama native, a relationship that spanned 20 years and in locations both nationally and internationally.
Donnie appeared in several movies with Kris Kristofferson, including 'The Last Years of Frank and Jesse James' (1986-TV), 'Songwriter' (1984), 'Convoy'(1978), and 'A Star is Born' (1976), and two other Sam Peckinpah's movies in addition to 'Convoy'; 'Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid' (1973) and 'Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia' (1974).
In 1998, Donnie released an album 'Everybody's Got A Song' which includes guest appearances by Willie Nelson, Tony Joe White, and Kris Kristofferson and John Prine, as well as many others.
In 2001, Fritts had a kidney transplant that closely followed seven heart operations.
While he was recovering in the hospital after the transplant, a friend asked how he was doing. Fritts responded that he had "one foot in the groove." It became the title of a CD in 2008.
On February 22, 2008, Kristofferson was on hand in Montgomery, Alabma to induct Donnie into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
On March 06, 2008, Donnie Fritts who is active on the Muscle Shoals (Alabama) music scene appeared with Billy Bob Thornton for The Billy Bob Bash: A Muscle Scoals Homecoming at the Shoals Theatre in downtown Florence, Alabama as a part of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival. In 2008 Billy Bob and Donnie also began co-writing several new songs.