(April 6, 1926-May 1, 1990)
Born in Cogdno, Italy
Birth name is Sergio Franci Galli
Made his debut on The Ed Sullivan Show (Oct. 14, 1962)
Acted in 'The Secret of Santa Vittoria' (1969)
Performed in Broadway shows 'Do I Hear a Waltz' (1965) and 'Nine' (1982 - 84)
Recorded 'O Sole Mio,' 'Torna a Surriento,' 'Mamma,' 'The Good Life,' 'I Should Care,' 'Mala Femmena,' 'A Man Without Love,' and 'Granada'
Became a naturalized American citizen in 1972

He collected cars as a hobby.
He disliked being seen as a poor man's Mario Lanza.
He turned down the leads in multiple movies, only taking one starring role ultimately.
He joked about being a 'Yankee Frankee' after getting naturalized.
He liked to joke about being Neapolitan from the waist up (heart) and Genovese from the waist down (pocket).

He had ambitions to be a classical opera singer.
Many of the film roles he turned down were stereotypical Italian/gangster parts.
His 'Sergio Franchi Live!' album peaked at #114 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart (1965).
Three of his albums released in 1963 landed on the Billboard 200 Album Chart.
He sang the theme song for 'The Secret of Santa Vittoria' - which received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song (1969).
He performed at events for President John F. Kennedy (1962), Lady Bird Johnson, (1965), and President Reagan.
He was a noted benefactor and philanthropist who donated his time to nearly one hundred charities - most notably Boys Towns of Italy.
He was diagnosed with a brain tumor after collapsing on stage during a summer concert rehearsal. He died three months later.
He was posthumously awarded the title of cavaliere in the Order of Merit (Stella al merito del lavoro) by the Italian Government.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair

http://aia.li/43803

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