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Luigi Origene Soffrano, better known by his stage name Jimmy il Fenomeno (April 22, 1932 – August 6, 2018) 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 ...
who played supporting roles within the Italian cinema.


Biography

Born in
Lucera Lucera ( Lucerino: ) is an Italian city of 34,243 inhabitants in the province of Foggia in the region of Apulia, and the seat of the Diocese of Lucera-Troia. Located upon a flat knoll in the Tavoliere Plains, near the foot of Daunian Mountain ...
, Jimmy il Fenomeno began his acting career in 1957 starring in the film ''
Legs of Gold ''Legs of Gold'' (Italian: ''Gambe d'oro'') is a 1958 Italian sports film directed by Turi Vasile and Antonio Margheriti and starring Totò, Memmo Carotenuto and Rossella Como.Bìspuri p.191 Plot Barone Luigi Fontana is a rich and stingy produc ...
'' starring
Totò Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Angelo Ducas Comneno Porfirogenito Gagliardi de Curtis di Bisanzio (15 February 1898 – 15 April 1967), best known by his stage name Totò (), or simply as Antonio de Curtis, and nicknamed ''il Principe della risata ...
which was released a year later. He landed the role after an audition with the film production company
Titanus Titanus is an Italian film production company, founded in 1904 by Gustavo Lombardo (1885–1951). The company's headquarters are located at 28 Via Sommacampagna, Rome and its studios on the Via Tiburtina, 13 km from the centre of Rome. Lomb ...
. An actor spanning nearly 50 years, Jimmy il Fenomeno participated in over 150 films usually playing minor or supporting roles in a
commedia sexy all'italiana The commedia sexy all'italiana (, lit. "sex comedy Italian style"), also known as commedia scollacciata or commedia erotica all'italiana, is a subgenre of Italian ''commedia all'italiana'' film genre. Style ''Commedia sexy'' is characterized typ ...
. He suffered from
strabismus Strabismus is a vision disorder in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object. The eye that is focused on an object can alternate. The condition may be present occasionally or constantly. If present during a ...
, which contributed greatly to his comedic roles as well as his odd laugh exposure. In the 1980s, Jimmy il Fenomeno explored a career in television, He appeared in the successful Italian television program '' Drive In'' directed by
Giancarlo Nicotra Giancarlo Nicotra (30 April 1944 – 12 June 2013), sometimes spelled Gian Carlo Nicotra, was an Italian television writer, director and actor. Biography Born in Rome, Nicotra was the son of the actors Mariannina Libassi and Antonio Nicotra. H ...
and Beppe Ricchia. By the 1990s, there was a decline in his career due to serious health issues. He eventually needed to use a wheelchair. In 2003, Jimmy il Fenomeno retired and settled into an elderly home. In several of his films. Jimmy il Fenomeno's voice was dubbed by voice artists such as Piero Tiberi,
Franco Latini Franco Latini (September 12, 1927 – February 2, 1991) was an Italian actor and voice actor. 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 ...
,
Ferruccio Amendola Ferruccio Amendola (22 July 1930 – 3 September 2001) was an Italian actor and voice actor. Biography Born in Turin to actors Federico Amendola and Amelia Ricci and the nephew of director and screenwriter Mario Amendola, he was among Italy's m ...
and
Enzo Garinei Enzo Garinei (4 May 1926 – 25 August 2022) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in nearly 80 films since 1949. He was also a professional voice artist, best remembered as the Italian voice of Sherman Hemsley in the American sitcom ''The Jeff ...
. Jimmy il Fenomeno's name in English translates to "Jimmy the Phenomenon".


Death

Jimmy il Fenomeno died on August 6, 2018 in his home in
Milan Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city h ...
as a result of his depleting health. He was 86 years old. He was buried in a cemetery within the district of Chiaravalle.


Filmography


Cinema

*''
Legs of Gold ''Legs of Gold'' (Italian: ''Gambe d'oro'') is a 1958 Italian sports film directed by Turi Vasile and Antonio Margheriti and starring Totò, Memmo Carotenuto and Rossella Como.Bìspuri p.191 Plot Barone Luigi Fontana is a rich and stingy produc ...
'' (1958) *''
The Fascist ''The Fascist'' ( it, Il federale) is a 1961 Italian film directed by Luciano Salce. It was coproduced with France. It was also the first feature film scored by Ennio Morricone. Plot The movie takes place in 1944, when Italy was divided bet ...
'' (1961) *''
Hercules and the Conquest of Atlantis ''Hercules and the Conquest of Atlantis'' ( it, Ercole alla conquista di Atlantide, lit=Hercules at the Conquest of Atlantis) is a 1961 film directed by Vittorio Cottafavi and starring Reg Park in his film debut as Ercole/Hercules. It was origina ...
'' (1961) *''
Day by Day, Desperately A day is the time period of a full rotation of the Earth with respect to the Sun. On average, this is 24 hours, 1440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds. In everyday life, the word "day" often refers to a solar day, which is the length between two solar ...
'' (1961) *''
His Women ''His Women'' ( it, Il mantenuto) is a 1961 Italian comedy film directed by and starring Ugo Tognazzi. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Ugo Tognazzi as Stefano Gar ...
'' (1961) *''
Crazy Desire ''Crazy Desire'' (originally titled as ''La voglia matta'', also known as ''The Crazy Urge'') is a 1962 Italian comedy film directed by Luciano Salce. It launched the film career of Catherine Spaak. The film initially was banned by the Italian ce ...
'' (1962) *'' A Girl... and a Million'' (1962) * '' The Changing of the Guard'' (1962) *''
The Monk of Monza ''The Monk of Monza'' ( it, Il monaco di Monza) is a 1963 Italian comedy film directed by Sergio Corbucci. It parodies the story of the Nun of Monza, as depicted in the Alessandro Manzoni's novel '' The Betrothed''. Plot Monza, 1630, a period o ...
'' (1963) *''
Messalina vs. the Son of Hercules ''Messalina vs. the Son of Hercules'' ( it, L'ultimo gladiatore, lit=The Last Gladiator) is a 1964 ''peplum'' film directed by Umberto Lenzi and starring Richard Harrison and Lisa Gastoni.Michele Giordano. ''Giganti buoni''. Gremese Editore, 19 ...
'' (1964) *''
I figli del leopardo ''I figli del leopardo'' (also known as ''Sons of the Leopard'') is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Sergio Corbucci starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio that is a parody of ''The Leopard''. Plot Sicily, 1860. The Baron Tulico is a pen ...
'' (1965) *''
Lola Colt ''Lola Colt'' (also known as Black Tigress and Lola Baby) is a 1967 Spaghetti Western film directed by Siro Marcellini. Reception One writer described as "a very average Western filled with all the predictable clichés of the genre". Cast * L ...
'' (1967) *'' Cuore matto... matto da legare'' (1967) *''
Ten Thousand Dollars for a Massacre ''10.000 dollari per un massacro'' (internationally released as ''$10.000 Blood Money'' and ''Guns of Violence'') is a 1967 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Romolo Guerrieri. The film was one of the unofficial sequels of '' Django'', a ...
'' (1967) *'' Be Sick... It's Free'' (1968) *'' A Black Veil for Lisa'' (1968) *''
The Longest Hunt ''Spara, Gringo, spara'' (internationally released as ''The Longest Hunt'' and ''Shoot, Gringo... Shoot!'') is a 1968 Italian Spaghetti Western directed by Bruno Corbucci. It is the first western directed by Bruno Corbucci (brother of western ...
'' (1968) *'' Sissignore'' (1968) *''
I See Naked ''Vedo nudo'' (internationally released as ''I See Naked'') is a List of Italian films of 1969, 1969 Cinema of Italy, Italian anthology film, anthology comedy film directed by Dino Risi. All the episodes have sex as main theme and all star Nino Ma ...
'' (1969) *''
Poppea's Hot Nights ''Poppea's Hot Nights'' ( it, Le calde notti di Poppea) is a 1969 Italian comedy film set in Ancient Rome. It was written and directed by Guido Malatesta and stars Olga Schoberová (credited as Olinka Berova) and Brad Harris in the main roles.Mic ...
'' (1969) *'' The Last Italian Tango'' (1973) *''
Italian Graffiti ''Italian Graffiti'' ( it, Tutti figli di Mammasantissima) is a 1973 Italian criminal comedy film written and directed by Alfio Caltabiano and starring Pino Colizzi and Ornella Muti. Plot Assunta Morano is the daughter of Bug Morano, a Sicilian b ...
'' (1973) *'' Ku-Fu? Dalla Sicilia con furore'' (1973) *'' Hospitals: The White Mafia'' (1973) *''
Paolo il freddo ''Paolo il freddo'' (i.e. "Paolo the cold") is a 1974 Italian comedy film written and directed by Ciccio Ingrassia and starring Franco Franchi. A parody of Marco Vicario's '' Paolo il caldo'', it is Ingrassia's second and last film as a director. ...
'' (1974) *'' The Big Snail'' (1974) *''
Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleanno ''Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleanno'' (''To my dear mother on the day of her birthday'') is a 1974 Italian comedy drama film directed by Luciano Salce.Andrea Pergolari. ''Ha visto il montaggio analogico?''. Lavieri edizioni, 2011. ...
'' (1974) *'' The Exorcist: Italian Style'' (1975) *'' The Noonday Executioner'' (1975) *''
Loaded Guns ''Loaded Guns'' (Italian: ''Colpo in canna'') is a 1975 Italian crime film written and directed by Fernando di Leo and starring Ursula Andress. Plot A flight attendant finds herself in the middle of fighting between rival gangs in Naples. Cas ...
'' (1975) *''
Fantozzi ''Fantozzi'' is a 1975 Italian satirical cult film, based on in the saga of the unlucky Italian accountant employee Ugo Fantozzi, written and played by his creator Paolo Villaggio. The film is a parody of middle class workers of the 1970s, ...
'' (1975) *''
Confessions of a Lady Cop ''La poliziotta fa carriera'', internationally released as ''Confessions of a Lady Cop'', is a 1976 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini. It is an unofficial sequel of Steno's '' La poliziotta'' in which sex and nudity ...
'' (1976) *'' The Lady Medic'' (1976) *'' Scandal in the Family'' (1976) *''
Squadra antitruffa ''Squadra antitruffa'' is a 1977 Italian crime film directed by Bruno Corbucci and starring David Hemmings, Tomas Milian and Anna Cardini. It is the third chapter in the Nico Giraldi film series starred by Tomas Milian. Plot A rude Roman po ...
'' (1977) *''
Destruction Force ''Destruction Force'' (originally titled ''La banda del trucido'' (''The Numbskull's Gang''), also known as ''Dirty Gang'') is a 1977 Italian poliziottesco directed by Stelvio Massi. It is the second film in which Tomas Milian plays the character ...
'' (1977) *''
Double Murder Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought. ("The killing of another person without justification or excuse, especially the c ...
'' (1977) *''
Brothers Till We Die ''Brothers Till We Die'' ( it, La banda del gobbo) is a 1977 Italian poliziottesco-action film by Umberto Lenzi and fifth and final entry into the Tanzi/Moretto/Monnezza shared universe. This film is the last collaboration among Lenzi and Tom ...
'' (1977) *'' The Criminals Attack, The Police Respond!'' (1977) *''
Le braghe del padrone ''Le braghe del padrone'' is a 1978 Italian comedy film directed by Flavio Mogherini and starring Enrico Montesano. It is based on the novel with the same name written by Italo Terzoli and Enrico Vaime. Cast * Enrico Montesano - Vittorio Piero ...
'' (1978) *''
The Schoolteacher Goes to Boys' High ''L'insegnante va in collegio'' (internationally released as ''The Schoolteacher Goes to Boys' High'' and ''The School Teacher in College'') is a 1977 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Mariano Laurenti. The film is the second in the "Schoolte ...
'' (1978) *''
La liceale nella classe dei ripetenti ''La liceale nella classe dei ripetenti'' (literally ''The high school girl in the class of repeaters'') is a 1978 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Mariano Laurenti. It is the second chapter in the "Liceale" film-series and was followed by ...
'' (1978) *''
The School Teacher in the House ''L'insegnante viene a casa'' (internationally released as ''The School Teacher in the House'') is a 1978 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini. The film is the third chapter in the "Schoolteacher" film series and the l ...
'' (1978) *''
Liquorice Liquorice (British English) or licorice (American English) ( ; also ) is the common name of ''Glycyrrhiza glabra'', a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae, from the root of which a sweet, aromatic flavouring can be extracted. The liqu ...
'' (1979) *'' Where Can You Go Without the Little Vice?'' (1979) *'' Assassination on the Tiber'' (1979) *'' Night Nurse'' (1979) *''
How to Seduce Your Teacher ''How to Seduce Your Teacher'' ( it, La liceale seduce i professori, lit=The High School Girl Seduces the Teachers) is a 1979 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Mariano Laurenti. It is the third instalment in the "Liceale" film series and was ...
'' (1979) *''
A Policewoman on the Porno Squad ''La poliziotta della squadra del buon costume'' (internationally released as ''A Policewoman on the Porno Squad'') is a 1979 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini. It is the sequel of Tarantini's '' La poliziotta fa car ...
'' (1979) *'' Pardon Me, Are You Normal?'' (1979) *''
The Nurse in the Military Madhouse ''L'infermiera nella corsia dei militari'', internationally released as ''The Nurse in the Military Madhouse'', is a 1979 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Mariano Laurenti. Plot Grazia Mancini (Nadia Cassini) is an aspiring night club sing ...
'' (1979) *''
I'm Photogenic ''I'm Photogenic'' ( it, Sono fotogenico) is a 1980 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. It was screened out of competition at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival. Plot Italy, early 1980s. Antonio Barozzi (Renato Pozzetto), an aspiring actor, g ...
'' (1980) *''
L'insegnante al mare con tutta la classe ''L'insegnante al mare con tutta la classe'' (''The teacher at the beach with the whole class'') is a 1980 Italian commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini. Cast * Anna Maria Rizzoli: prof. Lisa Colombi * Lino Banfi: co ...
'' (1980) *'' La ripetente fa l'occhietto al preside'' (1980) *'' Girls Will Be Girls'' (1980) *'' Crime at Porta Romana'' (1980) *'' Prickly Pears'' (1980) *'' My Wife is a Witch'' (1980) *'' The Taming of the Scoundrel'' (1980) *''
Mia moglie torna a scuola ''Mia moglie torna a scuola'' is a 1981 '' commedia sexy all'italiana'' film directed by Giuliano Carnimeo and starring Renzo Montagnani with Carmen Russo, an early 1980s star of the genre.- Plot Aristide Buratti (Montagnani) is a wealthy groce ...
'' (1981) *'' L'onorevole con l'amante sotto il letto'' (1981) *''
I carabbimatti ''I carabbimatti'' is a 1981 Italian comedy film directed by Giuliano Carnimeo and starring Andy Luotto. Plot Cast * Andy Luotto – matto paranoico * Giorgio Ariani – primario di Villa Verde * Daniele Formica – Carabiniere Ceci * Licin ...
'' (1981) *''
I fichissimi ''I fichissimi'' (Italian for "The really cool guys", also known as ''Guys and Dolls in the Suburbs'') is a 1981 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Vanzina. The film consists in a story of rival punks in Milan and it is loosely based on the Will ...
'' (1981) *''
Madly in Love ''Madly in Love'' ( it, Innamorato pazzo) is a 1981 Italian romantic comedy film written and directed by Castellano & Pipolo, starring Adriano Celentano and Ornella Muti. Plot Cristina, the princess of a fictional monarchical state named Saint T ...
'' (1981) *''
Bomber A bomber is a military combat aircraft designed to attack ground and naval targets by dropping air-to-ground weaponry (such as bombs), launching aerial torpedo, torpedoes, or deploying air-launched cruise missiles. The first use of bombs dropped ...
'' (1982) *''
Viuuulentemente mia ''Viuuulentemente mia'' ("Mine with violence") is a 1982 Italian crime comedy film written and directed by Carlo Vanzina. Cast * Diego Abatantuono as Achille Cotone * Laura Antonelli as Anna Tassotti Maloni * Christian De Sica as Juan Lopez y A ...
'' (1982) *''
Vieni avanti cretino ''Vieni avanti cretino'' (''Come On Idiot'') is a 1982 Italian comedy film directed by Luciano Salce. It had a great commercial success, grossing over 3 billion lire at the Italian box office. Cast *Lino Banfi: Pasquale Baudaffi *Franco Bracar ...
'' (1982) *'' Giovani, belle... probabilmente ricche'' (1982) *''
W la foca ''W la foca'' is a 1982 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Nando Cicero. Plot Andrea (Lory Del Santo) is a young and naïve nurse from Veneto who is employed by the Roman physician Dr. Filippo Patacchiola (Bombolo). Patacchiola lives with his ...
'' (1982) *'' Eccezzziunale... veramente'' (1982) *''
Attila flagello di Dio ''Attila flagello di Dio'' ("Attila Scourge of God") is a 1982 Italian Comedy film written and directed by Castellano e Pipolo. Cast * Diego Abatantuono as Attila * Mauro Di Francesco as Tartufo * Rita Rusic as Uraia * Angelo Infanti as Fu ...
'' (1982) *''
Acqua e sapone ''Acqua e sapone'' (''Water and Soap'') is a 1983 film by Carlo Verdone. Verdone, here in his fourth direction, besides interpreter is also the author of the subject and participates in the script as in his other films. Plot Sandy is an Ameri ...
'' (1983) *'' Time for Loving 2 - One Year Later'' (1983) *'' The Country Boy'' (1984) *'' Hearts in the Storm'' (1984) *'' To Love a Little'' (1984) *'' Holidays in America'' (1984) *''
Il ragazzo del Pony Express ''Il ragazzo del Pony Express'' is a 1986 Italian comedy film. It marked the directorial debut of Franco Amurri. Plot summary Milan, Italy mid-1980s. After graduating with honors, Agostino (nicknamed "Ago") is seeking employment. After escaping ...
'' (1986) *''
Superfantozzi ''Superfantozzi'' is an Italian film from 1986. It is the fifth film in the saga of the unlucky clerk Ugo Fantozzi, played by its creator, Paolo Villaggio. This film portrays the "evolution" of Fantozzi in History, from the Creation of the World ...
'' (1986) *'' Bellifreschi'' (1987) *''
Rimini Rimini - Un anno dopo ''Rimini Rimini - Un anno dopo'' is a 1988 Italian anthology comedy film directed by Bruno Corbucci. It is the sequel to the 1987 film '' Rimini Rimini''. Plot summary The film is divided into episodes set on the beaches of Rimini. A womaniz ...
'' (1988) *''
The Rubber Wall ''The Rubber Wall'' ( it, Il muro di gomma) is a 1991 Italian drama film directed by Marco Risi. The film, which deals with the crash of Itavia Flight 870, entered the competition at the 48th Venice International Film Festival.Edoardo Pittalis, Ro ...
'' (1991) *''
Vacanze di Natale '91 ''Vacanze di Natale '91'' () is a 1991 Italian comedy film directed by Enrico Oldoini Enrico Oldoini (born 4 May 1946) is an Italian director and screenwriter. Born in La Spezia, in 1966 Enrico Oldoini started attending the Silvio D'Amico Natio ...
'' (1991) *'' Fantozzi in Heaven'' (1993)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Jimmy il Fenomeno 1932 births 2018 deaths People from Lucera Italian male film actors Italian male television actors Italian male comedians 20th-century Italian male actors 20th-century Italian comedians