Flavor of the sea, Abbronzatissimi but also The Black Arrow and Attila, scourge of God. Mauro Di Francesco, known as «Maurino», an eclectic actor and cabaret artist who made his debut at a very young age and reached the general public above all thanks to the comedies of the 1980s, has died at the age of 74.
Born in Milan on 17 May 1951, the son of a theater seamstress and a stage manager who was a friend of Tognazzi and Vianello, he made his debut at just 5 years old with the magician Zurlì and would later remember with pride that he was «Strehler’s youngest pupil, in the Game of the Powerful he made me act as the Prince of Wales». In 1968 at the age of 17 he played the young Robby in the serialized drama broadcast by Rai La Freccia Nera. In the 70s he dedicated himself to cabaret, paired with Livia Cerini, and then joined the Repellent Group, created by Enzo Jannacci and Beppe Viola, together with Diego Abatantuono, Massimo Boldi, Giorgio Faletti, Giorgio Porcaro and Ernst Thole.
In the 80s the consecration as «Maurino» alongside Jerry Calà and Massimo Ciavarro. Acts in Sapore di mare 2 – One year later; Yesterday – Beach holidays; Mid-August OK, I ficossimi, Chewingum and in the two Abbronzatissimi.
He is also in Attila, scourge of God by Castellano and Pipolo alongside Diego Abatantuono, with whom he would remain friends and who would also direct him in the theater. The latest film is from 2019 alongside his friend Jerry Calà in Odyssey in the Hospice.
He had a son, Daniele, born from his relationship with his French colleague Pascale Reynaud, whom he met during the filming of Sapore d’amore. In 1997 he married Antonella Palma di Fratianni, who is still his life partner. In 2010 he published a book, The Logic of Paradox. About twenty years ago the actor disappeared from the scene for years following a liver transplant and revealed in an interview with Il Giornale: «Eh, out every night, I started drinking at 10 and stopped at 55. I appeal to all the kids: forget it, alcohol is worse than drugs. Don’t feel like me, I’m a miracle worker after the liver transplant. Now I want to be a spokesperson for organ donors.”