Alfredo Arnold Cocozza (Mario Lanza)
- Born:
- January 31, 1921, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Died:
- October 7, 1959, Rome, Italy
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Tenor, Actor
Early Life and Education
- Born to Italian immigrants Maria (née Lanza) and Antonio Cocozza.
- Displayed vocal talent from a young age, receiving early encouragement.
- Studied with Irene Williams and Enrico Rosati.
- Briefly served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Career and Major Achievements
- Debut with the New Orleans Opera in 1948 as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly.
- Signed a film contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1949.
- Achieved international fame through his film roles and recordings.
- Experienced periods of professional and personal difficulties throughout his career.
- The rendition of the classic "Granada song by Mario Lanza" propelled him to super stardom.
Notable Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | That Midnight Kiss | Johnny Donnetti |
| 1951 | The Toast of New Orleans | Pepe Abellard Duvalle |
| 1951 | The Great Caruso | Enrico Caruso |
| 1952 | Because You're Mine | Renaldo Rossano |
| 1956 | Serenade | Damon Vincenti |
| 1958 | Seven Hills of Rome | Marc Revere |
| 1959 | For the First Time | Tonio Costa |
Discography (Selected Albums)
- Mario Lanza Sings Christmas Carols
- The Great Caruso and Other Famous Caruso Songs
- Mario Lanza in Concert
Legacy and Impact
Mario Lanza is remembered for his powerful tenor voice and his contributions to popularizing opera and classical music through film and recordings. While his career was relatively short, his impact on the world of music and cinema remains significant, inspiring generations of singers and performers.