Remembering Fernando Cicero

Fernando ‘Nando’ Cicero was born on January 22, 1931 in Asmara, Ethiopia and moved to Rome, Italy. He began his career in films as an actor under such famous Italian directors as Luchino Visconti [1906-1976], Roberto Rossellini [1906-1977], Francesco Rosi [1922- ] and Alberto Lattuada [1914-2005]. His parts were small and limited so he decided a career behind the camera was a better choice. Initially he was an assistant director under Visconti and Rosi and in 1966 began his own directing career with “Lo scippo” but his films were of little success. In 1970 he formed a partnership with the comedy team of Francho Franchi [1928-1992] and Ciccio Ingrassia [1922-2003]. In 1973 he made his most famous film “The Last Tango in Zagarolo”, a parody of “Last Tango in Paris” starring Franco & Ciccio. He then moved on to making several Italian sex comedies featuring actress Edwige Fenech [1948- ]. Nicknamed “The Fellini of Trastevere” by his fans, Cicero retired from films in 1983. Nando Cicero died on July 30, 1995 in Rome. Today we celebrate what would have been Fernando Cicero’s 80th birthday.