Jonathan Taylor Thomas
American actor
Franco Zeffirelli was an acclaimed Italian director who left a lasting mark on theatre, opera, and film. He was renowned for his lavish productions and adaptations of classical works, including acclaimed versions of Shakespeare’s plays. Zeffirelli also directed the popular TV miniseries ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and was honored with prestigious awards in Italy and the UK.
Table of Contents
About the Franco Zeffirelli
Gian Franco Corsi Zeffirelli was an Italian stage and film director, producer, production designer and politician. He was one of the most significant opera and theatre directors of the post-World War II era, gaining both acclaim and notoriety for his lavish stagings of classical works, as well as his film adaptations of the same. A member of the Forza Italia party, he served as the Senator for Catania between 1994 and 2001.
Films he directed included the Shakespearean adaptations The Taming of the Shrewwon both national and international acclaim and is still frequently shown at Christmas and Easter in many countries.
A Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic since 1977, Zeffirelli also received an honorary British knighthood in 2004. He was awarded the Premio Colosseo in 2009 by the city of Rome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Franco Zeffirelli was an Italian stage and film director, producer, production designer, and politician. He was one of the most significant opera and theatre directors of the post-World War II era, known for his lavish stagings of classical works and acclaimed film adaptations.
Some of Franco Zeffirelli’s most famous film adaptations include The Taming of the Shrew (1967), Romeo and Juliet (1968), for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Director, and Hamlet (1990).
In addition to his work in the arts, Franco Zeffirelli was a member of the Forza Italia party and served as a Senator for Catania between 1994 and 2001.
Zeffirelli was a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic since 1977 and received an honorary British knighthood in 2004. He was also awarded the Premio Colosseo in 2009 by the city of Rome.
Franco Zeffirelli’s biblical television miniseries ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ (1977) won both national and international acclaim and is still frequently shown at Christmas and Easter in many countries.
Zeffirelli was known for his lavish stagings of classical works and his acclaimed film adaptations of the same, making him one of the most significant opera and theatre directors of the post-World War II era.
Franco Zeffirelli was born on February 12, 1923, in Italy and lived until June 15, 2019, making him a prolific and influential figure in the arts for over half a century.