Who is Franco Amurri? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Italian Celebrities Born In September

Age: 65 Years, 65 Year Old Males

Family:

father: Antonio Amurri

siblings: Lorenzo Amurri, Valentina Amurri

children: Augusta Amurri, Eva Amurri, Leone Amurri

Partner: Susan Sarandon (1984–1988)

Directors Screenwriters

City: Rome, Italy

Recommended For You

Recommended Lists:

T V & Movie Producers

Italian Men

Italian Directors

Italian T V & Movie Producers

Career

Having been brought up by a screenwriter father and an actress mother, it was only natural that Amurri grew up wishing to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. In 1983, he served as one of the screenwriters, along with George A. Romero, on the pilot episode of CBS’ ‘Tales from the Darkside’. He wrote the screenplay for the segment ‘Do Not Open This Box’ of ‘Stephen King's Golden Tales’, the 1985 West German and American direct-to-video compilation of five horror stories from the ‘Tales from the Darkside’. Only one story, ‘The Word Processor of the Gods’, is by King himself.

In 1986, he released his first film ‘Il ragazzo del pony express’. Starring Jerry Calà, Isabella Ferrari, and Alessandro Benvenuti, the Italian comedy film tells the story of a young man who has recently completed his education but can’t find himself a job. One day, he meets a girl, whose purse he steals. Over the course of the movie, they fall in love.

Amurri’s next project was the 1987 comedy fantasy ‘Da grande’. The film revolves around Marco (Joska Versari), a nine-year-old boy, who, after making a wish, grows up overnight to become a 40-year-old man (Renato Pozzetto). He subsequently rents a room at his teacher’s flat, with whom he is secretly in love. A critical and commercial hit, the movie reportedly inspired Penny Marshall’s 1988 film ‘Big’, starring Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins.

In 1990, he directed the film ’Flashback’. Starring Dennis Hopper, Kiefer Sutherland, and Carol Kane, and based on a screenplay by David Loughery, the action comedy is Amurri’s first Hollywood movie. He then co-developed the screenplay for the Japanese-American family adventure ‘Monkey Trouble’ with Stu Krieger. He also helmed the project, which was released in 1994.

In 2001, he wrote and directed the comedy film ‘Amici ahrarara’, his first Italian project in 14 years. The movie is about two destitute cousins who share a mutual love for inventing. However, they have never been able to earn money from the things they make. Their only hope of any financial security is their hateful and rich uncle. In 2002, the comedy film ‘Horse Fever: The Mandrake Sting’, which was based on one of Amurri’s stories, was released.

Amurri directed two back-to-back telefilms, ‘Il mio amico Babbo Natale’ (2005) and ‘Due imbroglioni e mezzo’ (2007). The latter was followed by a four-part television miniseries of the same name. Aired on Canale 5 in 2010, it starred Claudio Bisio, Sabrina Ferilli, Gianluca Grecchi, and Carlo Buccirosso.

In 2011, Amurri directed all six episodes of the second season of Canale 5’s comedy series ‘Anna e i cinque’.

Recommended Lists:

Italian Film & Theater Personalities

Virgo Men

Continue Reading Below

Family & Personal Life

Franco Amurri was born on September 12, 1958, in Rome, Italy, to author and screenwriter Antonio Amurri and actress Milvia Mostardi. He grew up along with three siblings, including a sister named Valentina and a brother named Lorenzo. Valentina is also a screenwriter. Lorenzo, who was about 13 years younger than Amurri, was a famous writer and musician. He passed away on July 12, 2016. The siblings had previously lost their father on December 18, 1992.

Amurri was in a relationship with American actress and activist Susan Sarandon from 1984 to 1988. Their daughter, Eva, was born on March 15, 1985, in New York City, New York, USA. Following in her parents’ footsteps, she has joined the entertainment industry.

She is an actress who has appeared in films like ‘The Education of Charlie Banks’ (2007), ‘The Life Before Her Eyes’ (2007), and ‘Mothers and Daughters’ (2016). On October 29, 2011, Eva exchanged wedding vows with former Major League Soccer player and current NBC Sports broadcaster Kyle Martino. Through Eva, Amurri is the grandfather of Major James and Marlowe Mae.

Amurri also has two children from other relationships: son Leone and daughter Augusta.

Franco Amurri Biography