Odoardo Spadaro

• Name — Odoardo Spadaro • Birth Name — Odoardo Eugenio Giano Spadaro • Born — 16 January 1893 • Birthplace — Florence, Kingdom of Italy • Died — 26 June 1965 • Place of death — Florence, Italy • Resting Place — Cimitero delle Porte Sante, Florence, Italy • Occupation — Actor, singer-songwriter • Years Active — 1912–1964

Spadaro was born in the quartiere of Santo Spirito in Florence, to Gustavo Spadaro and Mary Marchesini.

He debuted on stage at seventeen years old and, taking the road into variety shows as a chansonnier, a fantasist and impersonator, he became an international celebrity when he replaced Maurice Chevalier at the Folies-Bergère in Paris. In 1927 he was protagonist alongside Viviane Romance and Jean Gabin of a very successful variety show at the Moulin Rouge. Regarded as the first great Italian singer-songwriter, Spadaro also wrote many successful songs dedicated to his home city in the 1930s and 40s including lyrics and music.; the best known of these being probably "Porta un bacione a Firenze" (Bring a Kiss to Florence). Spadoro acted in several films, usually in supporting roles and appeared in The Golden Coach (La carrozza d'oro) with Anna Magnani in 1952. In 1953 he played Pinzi in Musoduro, a French-Italian drama film directed by Giuseppe Bennati in a cast led by Fausto Tozzi, Marina Vlady and Cosetta Greco. He was Baron Gaetano Cefalù in the 1961 comedy Divorce Italian Style. and appeared in Renato Castellani's Italian comedy-drama Mad Sea (Mare Matto) in 1963. The cast, headed by Gina Lollobrigida and Jean-Paul Belmondo, included Tomas Milian, himself, Noël Roquevert and Dominique Boschero.

He and Clementina Lovisolo were married in 1924.

• Illustration — Grave of Odoardo Spadaro at Cimitero delle Porte Sante in Florence, Italy. Spadaro died on 26 June 1965 in his home town, Firenze, Toscana, Italy of unspecified causes. He was 72.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1920 — La collana del milione • 1930 — Ninna nanna delle dodici mamme • 1934 — La fanciulla dell'altro mondo — Mario • 1935 — Maestro Landi — 'Maestro' Landi - il boia di Firenze • 1943 — Arcobaleno • 1950 — Miss Italia — Master of ceremonies • 1952 — La carrozza d'oro — Don Antonio • 1953 — Musoduro (aka The Hunt) — Pinzi, venditore ambulante • 1953 — Viva la rivista! — Cantante • 1955 — Carousel of Variety • 1956 — Porta un bacione a Firenze — L'emigrante • 1959 — Un canto nel deserto • 1961 — Divorce Italian Style — Don Gaetano Cefalù • 1961 — La corona di fuoco — Padre Bernardo • 1962 — The Reluctant Saint — Old Examining Prelate • 1962 — The Captive City — Janny Mendoris • 1962 — Escapade in Florence — Padrone • 1963 — Mad Sea — Drudo Parenti • 1964 — Full Hearts and Empty Pockets — Coachman • 1964 — The Naked Hours — Il nonno • 1964 — Napoleone a Firenze