King of the talk show , journalist with an extraordinary career, but also author and screenwriter: Maurizio Costanzo died today in Rome, he was 84 years old.
For thirty-four he was at the helm of the "Maurizio Costanzo Show", conducting the beauty of 4,405 episodes. In 1991 he presented the Videolina program "After dinner".
CAREER – Originally from Ortona but born in Rome in 1938, after graduating in accounting he made his debut at the age of 18 becoming a reporter for the Roman newspaper Paese Sera. At 22 he began collaborating with TV Sorrisi e Canzoni, in 1960 he became editor-in-chief of the weekly Grazia.
In 1963 he was the radio author of "Songs and clouds", conducted by Nunzio Filogamo. Co-author of Mina's success "Se telephoning", written with Ghigo De Chiara with music by Ennio Morricone, he was also co-creator of the character Fracchia , created and played by Paolo Villaggio, which he himself discovered in 1967.
His signature on dozens of radio, television and theatrical comedy programs but he achieved great popularity in 1976, leading the talk show "Bontà loro" on Rai. Since 1982 he has been the undisputed protagonist on Mediaset of the "Maurizio Costanzo Show" , recorded at the Parioli Theater in Rome, which over the years has become the most important "media parlor" of Italian television . His "Good Sunday" is also historic.
He has written several books, the last one in 2022: "Sentimental catalog of lost objects".
È morto Maurizio Costanzo, il re dei talk show aveva 84 anni
THE ATTACK – In the years of the mafia massacres, he lined up in the front row in the fight against the Cosa Nostra . After the murder of Libero Grassi, he and Michele Santoro organized a Rai-Fininvest marathon against the mafia . A commitment that could have cost him his life: on 14 May 1993 a Fiat Uno stuffed with ninety kilograms of TNT exploded in Rome in via Ruggero Fauro (near the Parioli Theater).
At that moment a blue Mercedes was passing by Stefano Degni, in which sat Maurizio Costanzo and his then partner Maria De Filippi . A short distance away was a Lancia Thema with bodyguards Fabio De Palo and Aldo Re on board. There were no victims only due to a delay in the explosion and the wall of a school which protected Costanzo's armored car.
THE WEDDING WITH MARIA DE FILIPPI – It was 28 August 1995 when he married Maria De Filippi, a marriage celebrated in a civil ceremony in Rome by the then mayor Francesco Rutelli. In 2002, the couple fostered and then adopted a child.
Costanzo had just returned from three other marriages: in 1963 with the photojournalist Lori Sammartino , from 1973 to 1984 with the journalist Flaminia Morandi , with whom he had two children: Camilla and Saverio, now a film and television series director. From 1989 to 1995 with the TV presenter Marta Flavi , from whom he divorced in 1995.
For three years, from 1983 to 1986, he lived with the actress Simona Izzo .
THE REACTIONS – «Maurizio Costanzo is leaving us - wrote Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni -: an icon of journalism and TV, who was able to tell difficult years with courage and professionalism. Thank you for bringing culture, sympathy and kindness into the homes of Italians. A thought to his wife Maria and his loved ones. Have a good trip".
«He revolutionized communication and TV in Italy, without ever putting aside his civil commitment to the point of fearlessly challenging the mafia, risking his own life. With Maurizio Costanzo, a piece of cultural history of our country goes away », the words of Giuseppe Conte , president of the M5s.
"It's terrible, our father died, my father, your father, the inventor of our TV, the one with so many guests, the one with different voices", commented the art historian and undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi.
«I always thought that this day would never come – the memory of Simona Ventura -. For the person you are, the culture you have always bestowed and your shrewd irony, this country loses A LOT. I infinitely embrace Maria, Gabriele, Camilla and Saverio. You were Life. Have a good trip".
"It's a great pain. We had known each other forever, I loved him. Hi, Maurizio», the post by Gianni Morandi .
(Unioneonline/D)