Franco Rossi, a renowned Italian film screenwriter and director, was born on April 19, 1919, in Florence, Italy. He spent his early years studying law before transitioning to the world of theatre, where he began to hone his skills as an assistant director to notable figures such as Mario Camerini, Luis Trenker, Renato Castellani, and Aldo Vergano.
Rossi made his directorial debut with the crime thriller I Falsari, which marked the beginning of his illustrious career. He went on to achieve his first success with Il seduttore, starring the renowned Italian actor Alberto Sordi. Throughout his career, Rossi directed a diverse range of films, including The Woman in the Painting (Amici per la pelle, 1955),Odissea Nuda (1961),"Smog" (1962),Three Nights of Love (1964),an episode of Le bambole (1965),and Porgi l'altra guancia, which featured the iconic Bud Spencer in 1974.
In addition to his work in film, Rossi was one of the first established Italian film directors to venture into television. He was one of the three directors responsible for the 1968 mini-series L'Odissea, a major undertaking that showcased his versatility and skill. His largest TV project to date was the international co-production of the six-hour mini-series Quo Vadis?, which he directed in 1985.
