We want Checco here in America!
How can an actor whose film (Che Bella Giornata – 2011 ) took in 44 million euro, a record in Italy and surpassing “La Vita è Bella” remain so unknown on this side of the planet? He can’t go anywhere in Italy without being hounded by fans, and for good reason – he’s very funny. He’s just now starting out on a big tour of a live show which he is calling the “I’m Still Humble Tour” (with reasonably priced tickets – he insisted on that) and Oggi Magazine has a big cover story on him (written by Maria Celeste Crucillà), talking about the tour, his fame, and what it’s like to be Checco Zalone.
Born Luca Medici, he chose Checco Zalone as a stage name because in Pugliese dialect it’s “Che Cozzalone” ( I think this means, “What a jerk”, but I’d appreciate input from any of you who knows better) and has become real success story. Born in 1977, he grew up (and continues to live) in a little town near Bari and got a law degree, but couldn’t give up his real love, the piano bar and doing crazy impressions of famous singers. Discovered in a famous Milan comedy club called Zelig, he decided to team up with a scriptwriter friend from Bari, Gennaro Nunziante, to make movies – their first, Cado Dalle Nubi, (I fall from the clouds).
When asked how he’s handling overnight success he says “I keep telling myself that this is happening to Checco and not Luca”. So far, he hasn’t benefited as he should have from the big box office successes ( the contract for his next film, coming out in 2012 will be more to his advantage), and contrary to what his long time girlfriend, Mariangela is telling everyone, he insists that girls are not constantly throwing themselves at him. It sounds like he is remaining humble, but with such a skyrocket to the top, he worries that he can stay up there. His next film will be a satire about rich people, playing ” a big bore (me) that tries to become an entrepreneur and encounters a world that is, at times, vulgar and paradoxical. Like when a diamond incrusted woman who holds benefits for starving people.”
He’s made it big, so far, playing Checco, the loveable misogynist, racist, homophobic idiot who insults everybody but (believe it or not) has a good heart and learns from his mistakes. Will the third time be a charm for Checco Zalone? We’ll find out with his third film in 2012. In the meantime:
We want Checco here in America! Don’t keep him to yourself, Italy!
I Love Italian Everything 