Get the latest gossip

‘Maria’ Star Pierfrancesco Favino on His Scene-Stealing Role as Angelina Jolie’s Butler and Defying Macho Stereotypes: ‘Not All Men Are Like That’


Pierfrancesco Favino is the perfect foil for Angelina Jolie in Pablo Larraín's 'Maria,' in which he plays Maria Callas' butler.

At last year’s Venice Film Festival, the Rome native erupted with the kind of volcanic indignation that Callas was known for, furious that American actors like “House of Gucci” and “Ferrari” star Adam Driver kept getting cast as iconic Italians. In the meditative, slightly surreal drama, he plays Ferruccio, a loyal helpmate who caters to Callas by moving her grand piano around the apartment to whatever window she thinks has the best light that day, despite suffering from a bad back. With his mournful eyes and hangdog expression, Favino has captivated Italian audiences with nuanced performances that range from savage gang leader Libano in the acclaimed series “Criminal Novel” to scandal-plagued former prime minister Bettino Craxi in Gianni Amelio’s “Hammamet.”

Get the Android app

Or read this on Variety

Read more on:

Photo of Pierfrancesco Favino

Pierfrancesco Favino

Related news:

News photo

Venice Film Festival Opener ‘Comandante,’ Starring Pierfrancesco Favino, Boarded by True Colours (EXCLUSIVE)