Mario Cecchi Gori

Highest Rated: 94% The Postman (1994)

Lowest Rated: 46% Johnny Stecchino (1991)

Birthday: Mar 21, 1920

Birthplace: Brescia, Lombardy, Italy

The Italian-born Mario Cecchi Gori was a producer who produced more than 150 films in a career that spanned nearly 50 years. He broke into film production as an associate producer on 1951's "Vacation with a Gangster." By 1958, he'd stepped up to producer on "Love on the Riviera," and by 1962, he produced Dino Risi's "The Easy Life," which is considered a classic example of Commedia all'Italiana, a comedic form specific to the culture of Italy. The two would reunite for another popular entry in the Commedia all'italiana genre in 1963 on "I mostri." These films garnered notice, but no award nominations for Gori. Then in 1967 he earned a David di Donatello Award for Best Production for "The Tiger and the Pussycat," which was directed by Risi and starred Ann-Margret. He'd win the honor again in 1972 for "Questa specie d'amore." Then in 1996, Gori garnered international acclaim for the romance "Il postino." His work on the film earned him an Oscar nod and a BAFTA win. Sadly, these were awarded posthumously -- Gori died November 5, 1993, a year before the film was released internationally. He was survived by his son and fellow "Il postino" producer, Vittorio Cecchi Gori.