Person biography:
Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia were a renowned comedy duo from Sicily, Italy. Born in Palermo, they began their career as ballad singers and actors in the tradition of the Comedy of the Art. They gained fame for their witty imitations, mimicry, and physical comedy, entertaining audiences with their parodies of famous characters.
Their debut was in 1954 at the Costa theatre in Castelvetrano, Sicily, with a parody of the song "Core 'ngrato." The sketch was a huge success, showcasing their unique blend of mimicry, wit, and physical comedy.
Lucio Fulci, a renowned film director, discovered Franco and Ciccio in 1962 and directed them in their first film, "I due della legione straniera." The film was a huge success, and the duo went on to star in numerous parodies of various genres, including Westerns, action films, thrillers, and comedies.
In the 1970s, Franco and Ciccio continued to work together, parodying films like "Il gatto a nove code" (The Cat o' Nine Tails) and "Dalla Cina con furore" (Fists of Fury). They also ventured into television, starring in various successful shows.
Throughout their careers, Franco and Ciccio were known for their frantic pace, working on multiple films simultaneously and changing costumes on the fly. They accepted all scripts proposed to them, fearing the possibility of unemployment.
In the 1980s, Franco and Ciccio began to pursue separate projects, but they eventually reunited in television. Franco Franchi passed away on December 9, 1992, and Ciccio Ingrassia passed away on April 28, 2003.
