But a cardiac crisis stopped his dynamic heart on June 29, 2000.
His health was already precarious. Pulmonary emphysema and his stubborn will to continue smoking had greatly weakened him.
The pain spread to all corners of the planet. Because the death of a chosen one is not an individual death. It is that the greats of art always break down borders…
As a paradox, for such a hectic life, Gassman died in his sleep in his luxurious apartment in the heart of Rome.
He filmed more than 100 films, many well known such as “Bitter Rice”, “The Forever Strangers”, “Il Sorpasso”, “Perfume de Mujer”.
He was married four times. The most famous of his four wives was the American actress Shelley Winters. He had a child with each of them.
Gassman used to say, and perhaps my mind turns it into an aphorism, that there should be two lives: one to learn and one to live.
He had a vast culture and mastered 6 languages.
He came to our country about ten times. He said that he loved Argentina very much. Many took it as a courtesy. But Gassman confirmed it, choosing to say goodbye to the stage, the city of Buenos Aires.
Effectively. In September 1999, the second “International Theater Festival” was inaugurated in our Capital. He asked to act. Twenty seconds before going on stage she had a pretty severe respiratory crisis. The doctor advised him to suspend the function, due to the risk it meant.
-Allow me the pack of cigarettes, Mr. Gassman. The actor handed it over immediately.
-You. he needs an oxygen boost, and not the effort of acting, the doctor added. And Gassman, “artist of race” replied:
-Excuse me Dr. It is that for me the oxygen is on stage. And he appeared before the public.
After thanking the loud and endless applause, his first words were:
– Anyone have a cigarette? And he added:
-I came to say goodbye to Buenos Aires for two reasons. First, because this city loves theater and because in Italy I can no longer do it. And do you know why?: Because there, I have already said goodbye about 15 times.
On the other hand, I love Buenos Aires and especially the neighborhood of La Boca, which reminds me of the port city of Genoa from my childhood.
Gassman shot his first movie at the age of 19 and his career never stopped.
A journalist once asked him who his favorite actor was.
I admire two. Gassman replied. One is Mastroianni, because he is a great on the scene and an extraordinary human being. And he couldn’t admire someone who lacked morals.
And the other you admire?
-Oh! I’m not going to reveal the name of the other one I admire, because I’m very modest, she added, smiling.
And Vittorio Gassman left us. Obviously his exceptional art did not guarantee his life. But he enlightened her.
I have no doubt that his name will be printed forever and in golden letters on the most important pages of the history of cinema and theater.
And an aphorism for this great talent that was Vittorio Gassman:
“The miracle of art knows no time.”
Source: Ambito
