Franco Latini (September 12, 1927 – February 2, 1991) was an Italian
actor
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...
and
voice actor
Voice acting is the art of performing voice-overs to present a character or provide information to an audience. Performers are called voice actors/actresses, voice artists, dubbing artists, voice talent, voice-over artists, or voice-over talent ...
. He was considered to be one of the top voice dubbers for many animated films and cartoons for audiences across Italy.
Biography
Born in Pomezia, which is in
Rome
, established_title = Founded
, established_date = 753 BC
, founder = King Romulus (legendary)
, image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg
, map_caption ...
, Latini started out working as a singer in nightclubs in the early 1950s, then he went on to work in the theatre and star in the 1953 film ''
The World Condemns Them
''The World Condemns Them'' ( it, Il mondo le condanna, french: Les Anges déchus) is a 1953 Italian-French melodrama film directed by Gianni Franciolini.
Plot
Cast
* Alida Valli as Renata Giustini
* Amedeo Nazzari as Paolo Martelli
* Se ...
''. Among Latini's most popular filmography includes the 1966 musical-comedy film ''
Mondo pazzo... gente matta!'' starring
Silvana Pampanini
Silvana Pampanini (25 September 1925 – 6 January 2016) was an Italian film actress, director and singer. She was also the niece of the well-known soprano of the golden era of opera, Dame Rosetta Pampanini. Silvana Pampanini caused a sensation ...
and the 1976 film ''
The Black Maid'' starring Carla Brait.
Despite Latini's popularity working as an actor, he was also heavily active as a voice actor. He dubbed
Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English comic actor, writer, and film director who was one half of the comedy double act, duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Ha ...
in several redubs of ''
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were a British-American Double act, comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–19 ...
'' shorts and films in which he was paired up with
Carlo Croccolo
Carlo Croccolo (9 April 1927 – 12 October 2019) was an Italian actor, voice actor, director and screenwriter.
Biography
Born in Naples, Croccolo began his acting career on the radio and he appeared in more than 100 films since 1949. His debut ...
. He also dubbed characters in many animated productions. He was the first voice of
Skeletor
Skeletor () is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the ''Masters of the Universe'' franchise created by Mattel, serving as the archenemy of the protagonist He-Man. He is typically depicted as a blue-skinned humanoid who wears a purpl ...
in ''
Masters of the Universe
''Masters of the Universe'' (sometimes referred to as the ''He-Man'' or ''She-Ra'' series) is a sword and planet-themed media franchise created by Mattel. The main premise revolves around the conflict between He-Man (the alter ego of Prince Ada ...
'' and from 1983 until 1988, he was the primary Italian voice of
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie. Donald is known fo ...
and he even dubbed
Tom from ''
Tom & Jerry
''Tom and Jerry'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated media franchise and series of comedy short films created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Best known for its 161 theatrical short films by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the series c ...
'' and various characters from ''
Looney Tunes
''Looney Tunes'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated comedy short film series produced by Warner Bros. starting from 1930 to 1969, concurrently with its partner series ''Merrie Melodies'', during the golden age of American animation. '' and ''
The Muppet Show
''The Muppet Show'' is a sketch comedy television series created by Jim Henson and featuring the Muppets. The series originated as two pilot episodes produced by Henson for ABC in 1974 and 1975. While neither episode was moved forward as a ser ...
''.
Latini founded his own dubbing company in the late 1970s, which was active until some point during the 1980s. In 1981, he lost one of his legs in an accident, which rendered him unable to perform on screen. After that, he devoted himself exclusively to dubbing.
Personal life
Latini had three children, daughters
Laura and
Ilaria
''Ilaria'' is an extinct genus of marsupial of the family Ilariidae, dating from the Late Oligocene of South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the ...
from his marriage with dialogue writer Maria Pinto and son
Fabrizio Fabrizio is an Italian first name, from the Latin word "Faber" meaning "smith" and may refer to:
* Fabrizio Barbazza (born 1963), Italian Formula One driver
* Fabrizio Barca (born 1954), Italian politician
* Fabrizio Brienza (born 1969), Italian mo ...
from his relationship with actress
Piera Vidale. All three followed in Latini's footsteps.
Death
Latini died of a
stroke
A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...
at the
Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic
The Gemelli University Hospital ( it, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli) is a large general hospital in Rome, Italy. With 1575 beds, it is the second-largest hospital in Italy, the largest hospital in Rome and one of the lar ...
in
Rome
, established_title = Founded
, established_date = 753 BC
, founder = King Romulus (legendary)
, image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg
, map_caption ...
around the evening of February 2, 1991 at the age of 63.
He was later interred at
Campo Verano
The Campo Verano (Italian: ''Cimitero del Verano'') is a cemetery in Rome, Italy, founded in the early 19th century. The monumental cemetery is currently divided into sections: the Jewish cemetery, the Catholic cemetery, and the monument to the ...
.
Filmography
Cinema
*''
The World Condemns Them
''The World Condemns Them'' ( it, Il mondo le condanna, french: Les Anges déchus) is a 1953 Italian-French melodrama film directed by Gianni Franciolini.
Plot
Cast
* Alida Valli as Renata Giustini
* Amedeo Nazzari as Paolo Martelli
* Se ...
'' (1953) - Double Bass Player (uncredited)
*''
Serenatella sciuè sciuè'' (1958) - Barone Paolino
*''
The Motorized Women'' (1963) - Plump Man with a Hat (uncredited)
*''
Bullet in the Flesh'' (1964) - Bob Rusky
*''
Blue Summer'' (1965) - Oliveras
*''
Mondo pazzo... gente matta!'' (1966) - Paolo Pizziconi
*''
For Love... for Magic...'' (1967)
*''
Johnny Hamlet
''Johnny Hamlet'' ( it, Quella sporca storia nel West, lit=That Dirty Story in the West is a 1968 Italian film directed by Enzo G. Castellari. The film is a Spaghetti Western version of William Shakespeare's tragedy ''Hamlet''.
Plot
Johnny Hamil ...
'' (1968) - Gravedigger
*''
May God Forgive You... But I Won't'' (1968) - Undertaker
*''
Jus primae noctis'' (1972)
*''
The Black Maid'' (1976) - Placido
Television
*''
Qui squadra mobile
''Qui squadra mobile'' is an Italian television series starring Orazio Orlando and Luigi Vannucchi. All 12 episodes were directed by Anton Giulio Majano and written by Massimo Felisatti, Anton Giulio Majano, and Fabio Pittorru.
See also
*List o ...
'' (1973) - Padrone
Dubbing roles
Animation
*Luke in ''
The Rescuers
''The Rescuers'' is a 1977 American animated adventure comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Buena Vista Distribution. The 23rd Disney animated feature film, its story follows Bernard and Bianca, two members ...
''
*Various characters in ''
Looney Tunes
''Looney Tunes'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated comedy short film series produced by Warner Bros. starting from 1930 to 1969, concurrently with its partner series ''Merrie Melodies'', during the golden age of American animation. ''
*Various characters in ''
Merrie Melodies
''Merrie Melodies'' is an American animation, animated series of comedy short films produced by Warner Bros. starting in 1931, during the golden age of American animation, and ending in 1969. Then some new cartoons were produced from the late 197 ...
''
*
Daffy Duck
Daffy Duck is an animated cartoon fictional character, character created for Warner Bros. Cartoons, Leon Schlesinger Productions by animators Tex Avery and Bob Clampett. Styled as an Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic American black duck, black ...
in ''
The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie
''The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie'' is a 1979 American animated comedy package film directed by Chuck Jones, consisting of a compilation of classic '' Looney Tunes/ Merrie Melodies'' shorts and newly animated bridging sequences hosted by Bugs ...
''
*Various characters in ''
The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie
''The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie'' (credited onscreen as ''Friz Freleng's Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie'') is a 1981 American animated comedy package film with a compilation of classic ''Looney Tunes''/''Merrie Melodies'' War ...
''
*Various characters in ''
Bugs Bunny's 3rd Movie: 1001 Rabbit Tales''
*Various characters in ''
Daffy Duck's Fantastic Island
''Daffy Duck's Fantastic Island'' (also known as ''Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island'') is a 1983 ''Looney Tunes'' traditionally animated compilation film directed by Friz Freleng and Phil Monroe with a compilation of classic Warner Bros. c ...
''
*Various characters in ''
The Flintstones
''The Flintstones'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series takes place in a romanticized Stone Age setting and follows the activities of the titular family, the Flintstones, and their next-door neighb ...
''
*Various characters in ''
Kimba the White Lion
''Kimba the White Lion'', known in Japan as , is a Japanese '' shōnen'' manga series written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka which was serialized in the ''Manga Shōnen'' magazine from November 1950 to April 1954. An anime based on ...
''
*Bobo and Rock Slag in ''
The Man Called Flintstone
''The Man Called Flintstone'' is a 1966 American animated musical comedy film produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The second film by Hanna-Barbera following ''Hey There, It's Yogi Bear!'' (1964), it was dir ...
''
*Various characters in ''
The Muppet Show
''The Muppet Show'' is a sketch comedy television series created by Jim Henson and featuring the Muppets. The series originated as two pilot episodes produced by Henson for ABC in 1974 and 1975. While neither episode was moved forward as a ser ...
''
*
Skeletor
Skeletor () is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the ''Masters of the Universe'' franchise created by Mattel, serving as the archenemy of the protagonist He-Man. He is typically depicted as a blue-skinned humanoid who wears a purpl ...
in ''
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
''He-Man and the Masters of the Universe'' is an American animated television series produced by Filmation based on Mattel's toy line ''Masters of the Universe''. The show, often referred to as simply ''He-Man'', was one of the most popular anima ...
'' (season 1)
*
Muttley
Muttley is a fictional dog created in 1968 by Hanna-Barbera Productions; he was originally voiced by Don Messick. He is the foil to the cartoon villain Dick Dastardly, and appeared with him in the 1968 television series '' Wacky Races'' and its ...
in ''
Wacky Races
Eccentricity (also called quirkiness) is an unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive. Eccentricity is contrasted with norm ...
''
*Muttley in ''
Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines
''Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines'' (or simply ''Dastardly and Muttley'' in the UK and Ireland) is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, and a spin-off from '' Wacky Races''. The show was ...
''
*
Tom in ''
Tom & Jerry
''Tom and Jerry'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated media franchise and series of comedy short films created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Best known for its 161 theatrical short films by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the series c ...
''
*
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie. Donald is known fo ...
in
All Disney Productions (1983-1988)
*Mr. Jinks in ''
Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks
''Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks'' is a Hanna-Barbera cartoon television series that featured as a regular segment of the television series ''The Huckleberry Hound Show'' from 1958 to 1961.
Plot
The cartoon series stars two mice, the bow-tied Pix ...
''
*Top Cat in ''
Top Cat
''Top Cat'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and originally broadcast in prime time on the ABC network. It aired in a weekly evening time slot from September 27, 1961, to April 18, 1962, for a single season of ...
''
*Top Cat in ''
Yogi's Treasure Hunt
''Yogi's Treasure Hunt'' (originally titled ''The Funtastic Treasure Hunt'') is an American animated television series and the fifth entry in the ''Yogi Bear'' franchise produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, featuring Yogi Bear and various other ...
''
*Top Cat in ''
Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats
''Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats'' is a 1988 animated made-for-television film produced by Hanna-Barbera as part of the ''Hanna-Barbera Superstars 10'' series. The two-hour film was aired in broadcast syndication. The movie's plot is essent ...
''
*
Popeye
Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by E. C. Segar, Elzie Crisler Segar.[Popeye and Son
''Popeye and Son'' is an American animated comedy series based on the ''Popeye'' comic strip created by E.C. Segar and published by King Features Syndicate. Jointly produced by Hanna-Barbera and King Features subsidiary King Features Entertainment, ...](_blank)
''
*Spider Monster in ''
Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf''
*Hair Bear in ''
Help!... It's the Hair Bear Bunch!''
*Grape Ape / Beegle Beagle in ''
The Great Grape Ape Show
''The Great Grape Ape Show'' is an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and broadcast on ABC from September 6 to December 13, 1975. ABC continued to air it in reruns until 1978.
Premise
The title character i ...
''
*Gus Holiday / Brutus the Lion in ''
The Roman Holidays
''The Roman Holidays'' is a half-hour Saturday morning animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and broadcast on NBC from September 9 to December 2, 1972. It ran for 13 episodes before being cancelled, and reruns were later shown on t ...
''
*Punkin' Puss in ''
Punkin' Puss & Mushmouse
''Punkin' Puss & Mushmouse'' is a cartoon produced by Hanna-Barbera and originally aired as a segment on the 1964-1966 cartoon ''The Magilla Gorilla Show''. Punkin Puss and Mushmouse appears in Jellystone.
Plot
The show features a hillbilly cat ...
''
Live action
*
Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English comic actor, writer, and film director who was one half of the comedy double act, duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Ha ...
in ''
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were a British-American Double act, comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–19 ...
'' (1968-1970 redubs)
*Moe Gelly in ''
Once Upon a Time in America
''Once Upon a Time in America'' ( it, C'era una volta in America) is a 1984 epic crime film co-written and directed by Italian filmmaker Sergio Leone and starring Robert De Niro and James Woods. The film is an Italian–American venture produce ...
''
*Benjy Benjamin in ''
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' is a 1963 American comedy film produced and directed by Stanley Kramer with a story and screenplay by William Rose and Tania Rose. The film, starring Spencer Tracy with an all-star cast of comedians, is a ...
''
*El Nebuloso in ''
Yellowbeard
''Yellowbeard'' is a 1983 British comedy film directed by Mel Damski and written by Graham Chapman, Peter Cook, Bernard McKenna, and David Sherlock, with an ensemble cast featuring Chapman, Cook, Peter Boyle, Cheech & Chong, Martin Hewitt, Mi ...
''
*Tushin in ''
War and Peace
''War and Peace'' (russian: Война и мир, translit=Voyna i mir; pre-reform Russian: ; ) is a literary work by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy that mixes fictional narrative with chapters on history and philosophy. It was first published ...
''
*Albert C. Provo in ''
The Green Berets
The United States Army Special Forces (SF), colloquially known as the "Green Berets" due to their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force of the United States Army.
The Green Berets are geared towards nine doctrinal mis ...
''
*Second Griner in ''
Deliverance
''Deliverance'' is a 1972 American survival thriller film produced and directed by John Boorman, and starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox, with the latter two making their feature film debuts. The screenplay was adapted ...
''
*Photographer in ''
Little Fauss and Big Halsy
''Little Fauss and Big Halsy'' is a 1970 American comedy-drama film directed by Sidney J. Furie, starring Robert Redford and Michael J. Pollard, also featuring Lauren Hutton, Noah Beery, Jr. and Lucille Benson.
The film concerns the exploits o ...
''
*Eugene in ''
Honky Tonk Freeway
''Honky Tonk Freeway'' is a 1981 American-British comedy film directed by John Schlesinger. The film, conceived and co-produced by Don Boyd, was one of the most expensive box office bombs in history, losing its British backers Thorn EMI between ...
''
*Lucius in ''
The Beauty Jungle
''The Beauty Jungle'' (also known as Contest Girl) is a 1964 British film directed by Val Guest.
Plot
Shirley lives in Bristol. While on a seaside holiday at Butlins holiday camp a young typist Shirley Freeman ( Janette Scott) is persuaded by ...
''
References
External links
*
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Latini, Franco
1927 births
1991 deaths
Male actors from Rome
Italian male film actors
Italian male stage actors
Italian male television actors
Italian male voice actors
Italian voice directors
20th-century Italian male actors
Italian amputees
Burials at Campo Verano