Antonino Faà di Bruno

Antonino Faà di Bruno (15 December 1910 – 2 May 1981) 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 (who was the Italian consul in London at that time) and of his wife Fanny Costì. He was named after his namesake ancestor, Antonino Faà di Bruno (1762–1829), 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 (La vita agra), Pier Paolo Pasolini (Pigsty), Vittorio De Sica (Lo chiameremo Andrea), Billy Wilder (Avanti!), Federico Fellini (Amarcord), Luciano Salce (Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleanno), Mario Monicelli (We Want the Colonels).

Tall at , 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 Year Title Role Notes1964 La vita agra Uncredited1969 Porcile Old man (scene of the Sentence) Uncredited1972 Lo chiameremo Andrea Schoolmaster 1972 Avanti! Concierge 1973 We Want the Colonels Lt. Col. Vittorio Emanuele Ribaud 1973 Dirty Weekend Count Antonino Marlotti Uncredited1973 Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears The Senator 1973 Amarcord Count 1973 Amore e ginnastica Commendator Censani 1974 Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleanno Zio Alberto 1974 Il domestico The Old Nobleman 1974 City Under Siege Col. Peretti 1975 White Horses of Summer Receptionist 1975 Un sac de billes Le vieux beau 1975 The Sunday Woman Paolo Campi 1976 Pure as a Lily Don Gerlando 1976 Il secondo tragico Fantozzi Mega Direttore Clamoroso, Duke Count Piercarlo Semenzara 1977 L'appuntamento Ermengardo Braghidoni 1977 Bobby Deerfield Vincenzo 1978 The Soldier with Great Maneuvers Gen. Barattoli 1980 Strawberry Blonde 1981 Una vacanza bestiale Console 1981 Il minestrone The marquis (final film role)