Massimo Serato

Who was Massimo Serato?

Massimo Serato, born Giuseppe Segato, was an Italian film actor with a career spanning over 40 years.

Serato was born in Oderzo, Veneto, Italy and started appearing in films in 1938. He played leading roles in several historical dramas and sword and sandal epics, mainly Italian, as well as roles in major international films. His notable appearances include Piccolo mondo antico,The Naked Maja, David and Goliath, The Loves of Hercules, El Cid, 55 Days at Peking Camille 2000 and Don't Look Now. In 1947 he won a Nastro d'Argento for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the neorealist war-drama film Il sole sorge ancora.

He had an affair with the actress Anna Magnani who bore him a son, Cellino, whom she affectionately called Luca. Luca contracted polio at an early age; - " In time he was able to walk with steel braces but [he] spent much of his time in a wheelchair."

He died in Rome.