Massimo Troisi: bio, film, theater and death of the great comedian

Massimo Troisi was one of the most loved and appreciated actors in the history of Italian cinema.
Born in San Giorgio a Cremano (NA) on February 19, 1953, he lived a serene childhood and adolescence, spent in the shadow of his family.

During his school years he always stood out for his talent in many subjects such as science, literature and, above all, acting.

Youth years and training

After attending the Technical Commercial Institute, in 1975 Troisi enrolled in an acting course at the Teatro San Ferdinando in Naples.

Here he began working with other actors and directors who gave birth to the homonymous theater company, which has become famous throughout Italy.
Subsequently, he also participated in several television shows such as "Non Stop" and "Maurizio Costanzo Show".

Artistic career

In 1981, Troisi landed a prominent role in the film " Ricomincio da tre ," which marked the beginning of his successful film career. He starred in many other films, such as " Stasera a casa di Alice " and "O' profesore," before achieving worldwide success with " Il Postino ."

Throughout his career, he has also worked as a screenwriter, director and producer.

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Theatrical activity

Since the beginning of his career, Troisi has often collaborated with other actors and theater directors. He was a founding member of the San Ferdinando theater company and acted in many plays such as “Escape from Reuma Park” and “We just have to cry”.

The "La Smorfia" Trio with Lello Arena and Enzo Decaro

In the 1970s and 1980s, La Smorfia was a famous cabaret group composed of Massimo Troisi, Lello Arena, and Enzo Decaro . Originally known as "I Saraceni ," the three comedians gained fame thanks to their comedy, based on sketches inspired by everyday situations in Naples at the time. Their shows addressed diverse themes, such as religion, employment (and unemployment), folklore, and traditions that were now anachronistic but still alive, especially in Naples.

After having achieved good success in the theatre , even outside the local context, the trio achieved maximum fame thanks to their participation in the television programme “Non stop” and subsequently in “La sberla”.

Television activity

Troisi has also participated in several successful television programs such as "Nonstop", "Maurizio Costanzo Show" and "Mai dire Gol". In addition, he worked as a writer and director of a series of comedy sketches for the Comedians in Search of Fortune program.

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Troisi writer and musician

In addition to his film and television career, Troisi was also a renowned musician and writer . He wrote several books of poetry and sang songs such as "Una Stanza Vuota," "Una Domanda," and "Non Si Può Morire Dentro."

The choice during the production of Il Postino

While working on the screenplay for “Il Postino”, Massimo Troisi’s health deteriorated rapidly , also following a new heart operation he underwent in the United States, where he had also had a heart attack.

The doctors, in fact, had advised him to undergo a transplant, but the actor had decided to return to Italy to shoot the film "with his heart".
Although his condition steadily deteriorated, he managed to carry out his intent, even if he had to resort to stunt doubles for the more difficult scenes.

However, just 12 hours after the last shoot, Massimo Troisi passed away during his sleep.

Troisi's illness and death

Massimo Troisi passed away due to a heart attack, which in turn was caused by an illness that had afflicted him since childhood. The actor died at the age of 41 at the residence of his sister Annamaria in Ostia, just 12 hours after finishing shooting the film "Il Postino".

What was Massimo Troisi sick with?

Massimo Troisi had been suffering from rheumatic fever since childhood, a condition that resulted in severe degeneration of the mitral valve. At a young age, he underwent a delicate heart operation in Houston, USA, but was unable to find an effective solution to his heart problem. Unfortunately, the disease accompanied him throughout his life, until his premature death.

Artistic and cultural heritage

Despite his untimely death in 1994, Massimo Troisi's impact on Italian culture is indelible. His comedy has been a source of inspiration for many actors and directors, and has contributed to renewing Italian comedy and cinema. Additionally, he has been honored with several posthumous awards and honors.