The news of the disappearance of the journalist Maurizio Costanzo who died today in Rome at the age of 84 is arousing a vast echo. A long career that of Costanzo, a fine intellectual who, in addition to being a journalist, was also an author and screenwriter. A great innovator in the world of communication who has marked the history of information and customs of our country.
Married since 1995 to Maria DeFilippi. Costanzo has signed dozens of radio and television programs and theatrical comedies (The adoptive husband, Empty returns and many others). He achieved great popularity in 1976, hosting the talk-show Bontà loro on Rai. But his name is also linked to Maurizio Costanzo show, the most famous television show aired since 1982.
Maurizio Costanzo: intellectual end and eclectic mind
He had taken his first steps in the profession in 1956 as a reporter for the newspaper Paese Sera, before moving on to the Corriere Mercantile of Genoa. In 1960 he was appointed editor-in-chief of the weekly Grazia, then his debut on the radio in 1963 as author of the Nunzio Filogamo program "Songs and clouds”. A man of great talent and vast culture, he is the author, together with the master Ennio Morricone and to the playwright Ghigo De Chiara of the great success of Mina "Se telephoning". In 1970 she led "Good afternoon".
Then began his long and brilliant television career with Bontà loro (1976-1978), Acquario (1978-1979), Grand'Italia (1979-1980), fascination, which paved the way for the Costanzo Show in 1982. Among the best known programs of him, too Have a nice Sunday. He has written numerous books, including Who I think I am (2004, in collaboration with G. Dotto), And what will it be? (2006), The strategy of the turtle (2009), Curtain! 50 years of theatre. History and texts (2015), I tell you Isis (2016) and Smemorabilia. Sentimental Catalog of Lost Objects (2022). He also directed the newspaper "The Eye".
The condolences of politics
“Maurizio Costanzo leaves us: an icon of journalism and TV, who was able to tell difficult years with courage and professionalism. Thank you for bringing culture, sympathy and kindness into the homes of Italians. A thought for his wife Maria and her loved ones. Have a good trip". The premier writes it on Twitter Giorgia Meloni.
“He revolutionized communication and TV in Italy, without ever putting aside his civil commitment to the point of fearlessly challenging the mafia, risking his own life. With Maurizio Costanzo, a piece of cultural history of our country is gone". As Giuseppe Conte, president of the 5 Star Movement, in a post on Twitter.
“A piece of journalism history, a pillar of Italian TV that is leaving. Farewell to Maurizio Costanzo, we will not forget you”. Thus the president of the Liguria Region John Toti.
'I am one of the many characters discovered by him, he created an unprecedented TV model. mAurizio Costanzo he is not dead, because he who leaves no legacy of affection dies, and he left the legacy of affection. It has created an unprecedented television format model. What he invented many years ago, starting as a journalist which he has always been, then became a show, show, theatre, music, songs". Thus the Undersecretary for Culture Vittorio Sgarbi, commenting on the disappearance of the journalist.
“He made a great popular tradition that was news, Sanremo, theater, cinema. He invented a concept that tells reality like a newscast but opens it to the service of the world, with guests who are called upon to tell their individual story every evening. I came out of what I called 'winning the casino', which is when you break the bank. Overflowing and talking about something else, I won, I'm one of the thousands of characters discovered by him, some of whom had the opportunity to establish themselves for their ability or for their ability to break the bank”.
Pippo Baudo: "Costanzo was a complete man"
Even the famous presenter Pippo Baudo expressed his deep emotion for the death of Costanzo. “He lived dangerously, suffered several attacks, a man with a complete story. I am speechless, it is very painful news. It was very important. He invented a new way of making television, he discovered many characters, he was a man of all trades, a complete man ”.
(Source journalistitalia.it/Ansa/Adnkronos; Photo Maurizio Costanzo official page)
