Alberto Sordi: An Italian Icon, ilazed, italian language, italian icons

“Alberto Sordi: An Italian Icon” translated by Alanna Quintyne

Alberto Sordi, a popular actor loved by everyone. I wrote this article about him because we are celebrating the 100th year of the birth of this amazing actor, director and human being.

Alberto Sordi, an emblem of Italian-style comedy, was an actor and director and entertained entire generations of Italians with his films.

The Beginnings

Born and raised in Rome, he made his Roman spirit his strong suit. But, for this very reason his beginnings were anything but easy. Considered too Roman, with a too strong and marked accent, many would not have bet a lira on him, to the point that he was even expelled from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Milan.

However, as is well known, this episode did not spell the end of the actor. From then on, he played a series of minor characters in cinema, worked in radio, and lent his voice to Ollio, of the celebrated comedy duo Stanlio and Ollio, or Laurel and Hardy in English.

His Popularity

Popularity and success came with the film Un americano a Roma, in which Sordi plays the main character, a certain Ferdinando Mericoni called Nando, who is obsessed with America and everything American.

Imprinted in the mind of every Italian is the famous spaghetti scene, in which Sordi recites:

“Maccarone… m’hai provocato e io te distruggo, maccarone! Io me te magno!”

[Maccarone…you provoked me and I’ll destroy you now! I eat you!]

Alberto Sordi’s greatness lies in having portrayed in his films the average Italian of his time, highlighting their vices and lowest behaviors, but also their dreams and great humanity.

The Human Side

Sordi is remembered not only for cinema but also for his generosity. In fact, throughout his life, away from the cameras, he devoted himself to charity without ever speaking openly about it or bragging about it.

What can I say? A legacy and a great teaching left to us by an extraordinary man!