Remembering Italian Actor Massimo Troisi

Legendary Italian actor and director Massimo Troisi, the star of Il Postino, would have turned 70 on February 19. Troisi has remained a revered figure in Italian cinema even after his passing over 30 years ago. Over the course of his career, he directed 6 films, wrote the screenplay for 8 movies, and acted in 13 films. 

We looked back at Troisi’s impressive career and highlighted some of his most significant achievements. Here are 6 facts about Massimo Trioisi:

• Massimo Troisi was born to a large family in San Giorgio a Cremano, a suburb outside of Naples. As a child, he suffered from serious heart conditions and rheumatic fever. 
• He started acting on stage in local productions at the age of 15. He earned a role after an actor failed to show up. He later set up an acting group with other Neapolitan creatives, Enzo Decaro and Lello Arena.
• Troisi had a successful career in cabaret, theater, and television. He would star in TV shows like Non Stop, La sberia, and Luna Park in the late 1970s.
• He wrote, directed, and acted in Ricomincio da tre in 1981. This film took him to stardom in Italy before starring alongside Roberto Bengini in Non ci resta che piangere.
• During the filming of Il Postino, Troisi fell ill and delayed urgent heart surgery due to filming. 12 days after the move was wrapped, he passed away from a heart attack. He was 41 years old. 
• Troisi earned two Oscars for Il Postino posthumously. He is considered one of the most important actors in Italian cinema. 
• After his untimely death, Italy had an outpouring of grief. He was buried in San Giorgio a Cremano with a statue remembering him in his final role in Il Postino.