biography - Fabio Testi

BIOGRAPHY
Fabio Testi was born in Peschiera del Garda (Verona) on the 2nd of august of 1941. It
was there that in 1955 a cinematographic studio was set up, it specialized in films on
pirates that were often characterized by the presence of ancient boats. Many Italian and
European productions used to film their scenes in lake Garda, which could easily appear
to be the Caribbean sea.
It is through this studio that Fabio began his career in the cinematographic world, first as
an extra then as a stuntman. Due to his outstanding power and strength he was
periodically asked to work in the productions of most films that were shot in the “Bertolazzi
Film” studio. At that time Fabio was also part of the athletics team of the Institute Lorgna
Anton Maria of Verona, where he graduated as a quantity surveyor.
Fabio has always had a natural talent for sports, he attended a judo gym, took part in
swimming contests and was also devoted to skydiving. He later obtained a 2nd degree
pilot certificate in Cambridge.
He was hosen to be part of a series of TV commercials for Coca-Cola, where he
exclusively worked for two years and eventually became the leading actor. During the
filming James Ciarlantini, a known Film Agent, contacts Fabio and launches him in the film
world. It was then that he attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts ‘Salvatore Solida’.
In 1967 he debuted in cinemas with the film "Straniero ... fatti il segno della croce"
(Demofilo Fidani) and after a brief appearance in "C’era una volta il West” (Sergio Leone
1968) he becomes the main actor in " Ed ora raccomanda l’anima a Dio " (1968) also
directed by Demofilo Fidani.
The success of his first films leads Fabio to believe in his chances of success within the
movie industry. While many U.S. productions were shooting films in Italy Fabio, not
content with his success, went to Cambridge and London to attend a school which would
help him improve both his English and acting skills. Upon returning to Italy Vittorio De Sica
chose him for the role of Malnate in "Il Giardino dei Finzi Contini" which won the Oscar for
best foreign film in 1970.
Since then Fabio often worked in foreign productions performing in French, Spanish and
English films. He worked with great directors such as Claude Chabrol, J. Lee Thompson
and Monte Hellman, with whom he still has a great friendship. Up to now, Fabio has
worked in more than 100 films between both cinema and television productions.
The most significant movies Fabio has worked in are: “Addio fratello crudele” by Giuseppe
Patroni Griffi (1971) with Charlotte Rampling, “Camorra” (1972) by Pasquale Squitieri with
Jean Seberg , “I Guappi” again by Pasquale Squitieri(1974) with Claudia Cardinale and
Franco Nero, “L’importante è amare” by Andrzej Zulawski (1975) with Romy Schneider,
“L’eredità Ferramonti” (1976) by Mauro Bolognini, in which he works with Antony Quinn
and Dominique Sanda, the film is nominated for the ‘Palma d’oro’ as best film at the
Cannes festival. He also works in “Il grande racket” (1976) , “La via della droga” (1977)
both directed by Enzo G. Castellari and in “Amore, piombo, furore” (1978) by Monte
Hellman.
In recent years he has worked in "La Conjura del Escorial" (2008), a Spanish production
directed by Antonio del Real alongside Julia Ormond and Jason Isaacs, "Letters to Juliet"
(2009) with Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero and finally " Road to Nowhere "(2009) by
Monte Hellman who was awarded a special Golden Lion, as a prize for his career, at the
67th Venice Film Festival 2010.
Fabio has worked a lot in television, but was also involved in different theatres productions
such as: "Dovevi essere tu" (1992) directed by Marco Parodi alongside Paola Quattrini,
"La strada" (1999), directed by Filippo Crivelli with Rita Pavone, "Se devi dire una bugia
dilla grossa" directed by P. Garinei (2000) with Anna Falchi, Paola Quattrini and
Gianfranco Jannuzzo. He also worked in "Zorba el griego", a musical which turned to be a
success whilst on tour in Spanish theatres.
Fabio has two sons and a daughter, he lives in Rome as well as in his residence by lake
Garda.