Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Remembering Vincenzo Maggio

Vincenzo Maggio was born in Naples, Italy on October 10, 1902. He was the eldest son and least known son of a family of actors, all from Naples. He is the brother of Beniamino [1907-1990], Dante [1909-1992] and Pupella [1910-1999] and Rosalia [1921-1995]. There is another sister Margherita, who preferred the quiet life of a housewife rather than the dusty boards of the grueling stages and movie sets.


After a long apprenticeship in vaudeville theaters before and during the Second World War, ‘Enzo’ decided to devote himself to the cinema and follow in the footsteps of the brothers Dante and Beniamino and debuted on the screen in 1950’s “È arrivato il cavaliere!”. After his first contact with cinema his roles continued to become larger and larger and was considered by directors and producers, a good character actor, a little 'subdued compared to his two brothers who were building distinguished careers. As indeed were his talented two sisters, Giustina (aka Pupella) and Rosalia.

Even while appearing in films, he would return now and again to the theater, sometimes with his brothers and Rosalia, as in the 1955-56 season in “Napoletani a Napoli di Murolo” and, in the 1956-57 season, “La Venere coi baffi”. Another of the many shows Enzo took part and in which he received ovations was “Topo maggio nell'harem”.

Vincenzo appeared in seven Euro-westerns, from “Bullets and Flesh” (1964) to “Another Try, Eh Providence?” (1973)

His is often confused with his nephew Vincenzo ‘Enzo’ Maggio, who appeared in several of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill films. Vincenzo died in Naples on July 13, 1973. Today we remember Vincenzo on what would have been his 110th birthday.


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