Francesco Benigno
Francesco Benigno, is an Italian actor, director, singer and television personality.
Early life
Benigno was born in Palermo, Sicily, the twelfth of thirteen children. He grew up in Via Cataldo Parisio located in the densely populated Noce quarter.He lost his mother at the age of nine and has described his childhood as having been difficult. Subjected to beatings from his father, he ran away from home at 14 and lived on the streets, sleeping in metro stations and empty trains. He also fell into bad company.
Career
He made his first acting debut in 1989, in Forever Mary, directed by Marco Risi who had discovered him at the age of 21. He played the same role of Natale Sperandeo in the film's sequel, Boys on the Outside, for which he won two awards as Best Actor, the Ciak d'Oro at the Venice Film Festival, and the Premio Piper. Both films were set in his native Palermo.Benigno has since performed regularly in cinema, television, and has appeared on stage in two theatrical performances. Benigno appeared on the reality show La Fattoria in 2005, and has made many television guest appearances. In 2009, he participated as guest at the Sanremo [Music Festival 2009|Sanremo Music Festival], singing "L'Italia" in a duet with Marco Masini. In 2008, he won the Grifone d'argento at the Giffoni Film Festival for best director of a short film, the autobiographical Benigno.
In 2020, he directed the feature film Il colore del dolore, which was awarded with the critics' prize at the Terra di Siena Film Festival.
Personal life
Benigno has two sons, Giuseppe and Manuel from two relationships as well as two grandchildren. Upon becoming an actor, he transferred to Rome but has since returned to Palermo. He considers himself Roman Catholic.Filmography
Forever Mary Boys on the Outside Caldo soffocante Il commissario Corso Vacanze di Natale '91 Anni 90 Ultimo respiro Un sogno perso Anni 90: Parte II 1993)Miracolo italiano Palermo - Milan One Way La piovra, La stanza della scirocco Crimine contro crimine Ultimo Ultimo 2 - La sfida La Squadra Morso della serpente Il diavolo e l'acqua santa Excellent Cadavers Arresti domiciliari Donne di Mafia, Blindati, Ultimo 3 - L'infiltrato Tutte le donne della mia vita- ''L'ultimo padrino''
Theatre
La Valigia di Carne, Sotterraneo,Short films
La Mancia, Ice , Benigno,, which he also directedDiscography
Io ragazzo fuori Io=voi Per sempre Con il cuore in mano Nel cammino della vita- ''Abbronzata''