by Emilia Costantini
Liliana De Curtis, actress and writer, owes her name to Liliana Castagnola, with whom Tot had been associated and who committed suicide for him
Even though my father never wanted me to be an actress, I think he would be happy with my debut now. With these words Liliana de Curtis announced her theatrical baptism at the Sannazzaro in Naples almost thirty years ago in an interview with Corriere della Sera. Today the actress and writer, the only daughter of the legendary Tot and his only wife Diana Rogliani, dies at the age of 89. Widow of Sergio Anticoli, she leaves behind her two children, Antonello and Elena, who says: My mother died peacefully in her Roman house, she did not suffer, and then adds her memory with poetic words: Mom, when I call you I see you run towards me, you take me in your arms, you look at me and you hug me tightly to your chest … I know that you are always with me, the warmth of your body will accompany me throughout my life … .
She was born in Rome on May 10, 1933 and her name came from the memory her father, Antonio de Curtis, had of the well-known soubrette Liliana Castagnola, with whom he was romantically involved before marrying Diana and who committed suicide committed for him. . Due to an artistically unwieldy father, it was only at the age of 60 that he had decided to take to the stage and experience the thrill of acting with the show Pardon Monsieur Tot, loosely adapted from the autobiographical book Are We Men or NCOs? I’m not saying I’d like to keep up with Papa – Liliana said – but I hope I can show at least a little of that ‘verve’ that characterized him.
Her first experience as a film actress dates back to 1940, when she starred in the film San Giovanni decollato, in which her father played the leading role, and in the 1954 film Orient Express by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia. He would therefore have liked to pursue an acting career, but Dad, who was so jealous and who knew show business well, never gave me permission to act. However, he had dedicated biographical books to his father’s memory, including Malafemmena (and a tattoo, as he recounted in an interview with Corriere del Mezzogiorno on his 80th birthday). His daughter Elena finishes his poem: Today, mom, you make me cry, but until yesterday you made me smile, and while I write I hear your weak and tired breath: soon this breath will no longer be heard. I love you Assaje The funeral will take place in Naples, in the Sanit district.
If you want to keep up to date with news from Rome, subscribe to Giuseppe Di Piazza’s newsletter “The Seven Hills of Rome” for free. It arrives in your mailbox at 7am every Saturday. Just click here.
June 3, 2022 (change June 3, 2022 | 16:18)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED