Little Known Spaghetti Western actors ~ Augusto Di Giovanni

[These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Augusto Di Giovanni is an Italian actor known for his work in Italian theater and cinema during the mid-20th century. Born in Salerno, Italy on February 11, 1910, he appeared in several films, including “Sei bambine ed il Perseo” (1940). Di Giovanni began acting with amateur theatre companies in Salerno, marking his first steps in performance before any professional engagements.

Di Giovanni made his film debut in 1937, portraying King Ferdinand II of Naples in the historical drama “Il dottor Antonio”, directed by Enrico Guazzoni. This marked his entry into cinema while he continued his established work in theatre. In the late 1930s, Di Giovanni appeared in a series of supporting roles across various genres, including dramas, comedies, and musical films. He featured in “L'ultimo scugnizzo” (1938), directed by Gennaro Righelli, “Giuseppe Verdi” (1938), “Il barone di Corbò” (1939), “Il cavaliere di San Marco” (1939), “Piccolo hotel” (1939), “Imputato, alzatevi!” (1939), and “Lo vedi come sei... lo vedi come sei? (1939), directed by Mario Mattoli.[9] His most prominent early role came in Sei bambine e il Perseo” (1940), directed by Giovacchino Forzano, where he played the leading part of Benvenuto Cellini in this adventure film. Entering the 1940s amid the wartime period, Di Giovanni took on notable character parts, including a guappo role as don Peppino Esposito alongside Totò in “San Giovanni decollato” (1940), directed by Giorgio Bianchi and Amleto Palermi. He reunited with Totò the following year as the boastful lion hunter Asdrubale in “L'allegro fantasma” (1941), directed by Amleto Palermi. In 1942, he appeared in “A che servono questi quattrini?”, directed by Esodo Pratelli and featuring the De Filippo brothers. These films highlighted his versatility in comedic and character-driven supporting performances up through the early 1940s.

During the closing years of World War II and the ensuing post-war period, Augusto Di Giovanni sustained a steady career as a character actor in Italian cinema, contributing supporting performances across diverse genres including dramas, comedies, adventure films, and melodramas. His final screen appearance was in “Addio per sempre!” (1958). These numerous supporting parts reflected his versatility and consistent presence in the Italian film industry throughout the post-war reconstruction era until his retirement from cinema around 1958. He died five years later in Naple, Italy on April, 9, 1963, at the age of 53.

Augusto Di Giovanni appeared in one Euro-western, “Il sogno di Zorro” (The Dream of Zorro) as Don Formoso in 1951.

Di GIOVANNI, Augusto [2/11/1910, Salerno, Campania, Italy – 4/9/1963, Naples, Campania, Italy] – theater, film actor.

The Dream of Zorro – 1951 (Don Formoso)