Italian film director and producer Livia Giuggioli with her husband British actor Colin Firth.
Like an astronomer discovering a new star or a botanist finding a new plant species, when I uncover a previously unknown Inner Italian, my heart races.
British actor Colin Firth took home the Best Actor Oscar on Sunday night for his role in the film The King’s Speech. But, far more impressive, to me, is his connection to bel’italia.
Thanks to a Diario Di Una Studentessa Matta post by Melissa Muldoon, my amica in the blogosphere, I learned that Firth speaks beautifully in Italian. She posted a video clip from the Red Carpet where the typically stiff-upper-lip actor jokes in Italian with a reporter whom he knows.
In the blink of an eye, he becomes more warm and animated than I’ve ever seen him onscreen.
The link to Firth’s Inner Italian is his gorgeous wife Livia Giuggioli whom he married in 1997. Giuggioli is a director, documentary film producer, environmentalist, eco-entrepreneur, and mother of two sons with Firth.
According to the New York Post, “Livia’s ‘Green Carpet Challenge,’ for which she dolled up in 100 percent eco garb and jewels to each of a number of award shows, had its climactic finale Sunday night as she strolled down the carpet in a gown assembled from 11 different vintage frocks—some, appropriately, dating back to the reign of King George VI.”
In an interview several years ago with The Independent, Firth commented on his Italian language skill. “Her English is better than my Italian will ever be. But if you’re going to live your life with someone you should, as a mark of respect, try to learn their way of conceptualising things.”
Firth is also taken with the power of la famiglia, as he explains in this quote to Vanity Fair Italy. “What strikes me about the Italians is their attachment to family. Livia’s family is beautiful and very close. From the family is derived a sense of inner security and stability that is not found in other cultures. We English, on the other hand, are always wandering apart … When I met my wife, I had to court her, present myself to her father. Before this, I had never met a 26-year-old woman who was still living with her parents.”
Colin Firth. Un bravo attore! Un bravo Inner Italian!
sapete gia che fanno una bella copia, lui non e il tipico attore lei possibilmente e la tipica moglie. si vede che ha un certo classe pero questo non e sempre una buona cosa – non ha scelto sempre i migliori caratteri da interpretare – questa volta ha fatto centro. nel successo que le circonda le auguro solo felicita e una serena tranquillita. con il successo qualche volta viene il desiderio di essere remoti e di adottare uu’aria che puo essere interpretata como arroganza. attento cuando hai scelto a farti celebre hai scelto anche di renunciare a tu privacy. buona fortuna e non dimenticare che puoi sempre aiutare a tutti in qualsia momento per qualsia motivo.
In an interview quite a few years back, Firth shared my favorite anecdote about his Italian in-laws (then in-laws to be). He told them he was considered quite a heartthrob in England (thanks to his role as Mr. Darcy) and their response was, “You’re kidding.” Livia is not only beautiful, but she’s quite an activist for environmental and social justice causes, and Firth describes her as “a phenomenal cook.”
I so loved reading this post that you shared so eloquently about Colin Firth and his lovely Italian wife. Viva la bella vita! Ciao, Roz @ la bella vita
PS….keep up the great blog about our beautiful Italian culture!
Ciao, Roz,
I just peeked at your blog and it looks incredible. Can’t wait to delve in more. Thank you for visiting simpleitaly!
a presto,
Sharon
Che coppia deliziosa! I agree with Adriana’s comment 🙂
Che coppia deliziosa!! I agree with Adriana’s comment!
Isn’t that a revelation! I was over the moon when I discovered his interview on the red carpet and loved how animated he became when he recognized the sky reporter! I love listening to him speak in the other interviews I found…just makes me want to pull up a chair and have a chat with him in Italian. Of course would love to speak with his lovely wife as well…but let’s start with a one on one, just he and I first! 😉
What’s amazing is how pre-disposed we are to love anything and anyone Italian. I admired Colin Firth’s work before but can’t say I was a huge man. Adesso, lui e il mio uomo!
If there was ever a doubt that Colin Firth is the thinking woman’s sex symbol… wait, no, there never was. How fun!
I already loved his work, but when I found out about his Italian connection, he endeared himself to me even more. THIS I found out through Italian friends of mine in London who are also friends of his. And THAT was a revelation that made me smile more.
How fun! You were in the know.