Luigi Origene Soffrano, better known by his stage name Jimmy il Fenomeno (22 April 1932 – 6 August 2018) was an Italian actor who played supporting roles within the Italian cinema.

Jimmy il Fenomeno
Jimmy il Fenomeno in Donne... botte e bersaglieri (1968)
Born
Luigi Origene Soffrano

(1932-04-22)22 April 1932
Died6 August 2018(2018-08-06) (aged 86)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1957–2003

Biography

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Born in Lucera, Jimmy il Fenomeno began his acting career in 1957 starring in the film Legs of Gold starring Totò which was released a year later. He landed the role after an audition with the film production company Titanus. An actor spanning nearly 50 years, Jimmy il Fenomeno participated in over 150 films usually playing minor or supporting roles in a commedia sexy all'italiana. He suffered from strabismus, which contributed greatly to his comedic roles as well as his odd laugh exposure.[1]

In the 1980s, Jimmy il Fenomeno explored a career in television, He appeared in the successful Italian television program Drive In directed by Giancarlo Nicotra and Beppe Ricchia. By the 1990s, there was a decline in his career due to serious health issues. He eventually needed to use a wheelchair. In 2003, Jimmy il Fenomeno retired and settled into an elderly home.

In several of his films. Jimmy il Fenomeno's voice was dubbed by voice artists such as Piero Tiberi, Franco Latini, Ferruccio Amendola and Enzo Garinei. Jimmy il Fenomeno's name in English translates to "Jimmy the Phenomenon".

Death

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Jimmy il Fenomeno died on August 6, 2018, in his home in Milan as a result of his depleting health. He was 86 years old.[2] He was buried in a cemetery within the district of Chiaravalle.

Filmography

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Cinema

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References

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  1. ^ "Jimmy il Fenomeno". MYmovies. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Addio a Jimmy il Fenomeno: morto a 86 anni il noto caratterista di tanti film comici" (in Italian). www.comingsoon.it. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
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