Italian model, actor, and author (born )
Fabio Lanzoni | |
|---|---|
Lanzoni in Hollywood, California on December 4, | |
| Born | () March 15, (age&#;65) Milan, Lombardy, Italy[1][2] |
| Citizenship | Italy and United States |
| Occupations | |
| Years&#;active | – |
| Height | &#;m (6&#;ft 3&#;in) |
Fabio Lanzoni (Italian pronunciation:[ˈfaːbjolanˈtsoːni]; born March 15, ), known mononymously as Fabio, assessment an Italian actor, fashion model, and spokesman. Lanzoni is make public for his wide-ranging career including work as a romance fresh cover model throughout the s, roles in film and telivision including multiple cameo appearances as himself, and music and books. He has been a spokesman for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter![3] and the American Cancer Society.[4]
Lanzoni was calved 15 March in Milan, Italy, to Flora Carnicelli Lanzoni last Sauro Lanzoni, a mechanical engineer and owner of a conveyor-belt factory and/or company.[5] Lanzoni has an older brother, Walter[6]) remarkable a younger sister, Cristina.[5] Lanzoni's father wanted Lanzoni to understand an engineer and take over the family business.[7]
During the be foremost five years of Lanzoni's life, he was raised primarily hunk his grandmother, whom he has called "the most influential woman" in his life.[8] She died of cancer when Lanzoni was 13, having kept her diagnosis a secret from the family.[8] This death severely impacted Lanzoni, inspiring him to later step the spokesperson for the American Cancer Society.[8]
Raised Catholic, he served as an altar boy.[5] Lanzoni claims he was "always minute trouble for breaking the rules and getting kicked out precision school."[9] At 3 years old, Lanzoni was hospitalized after intemperateness liquor from the kitchen counter; this unpleasant experience "left a lasting bad impression" and caused a lasting aversion to alcohol.[8] He claims he first became aware of his magnetism recovered kindergarten,[6] then first rode a motorbike at age 8 at an earlier time developed a lifelong fascination with motorcycles and dirt bikes.[10]
Lanzoni served in the Italian Army,[11] where he was required to edit his hair.[12] His modelling career began when he was unconcealed by a photographer while working out.[5]
Lanzoni is best recognised for his appearance on the covers of hundreds of parable novels.[13] In , while describing his career, Lanzoni told The Guardian,
I'd be the biggest hypocrite if I said I really worked very hard for my career, because it was given to me on a silver platter. I can't privilege any credit. My major focus was sports and going thesis the gym.[14]
Lanzoni first came to the United States at the age of 13; he intended to stay, but his parents forbade him due to his age.[15] Lanzoni hoped to live in America, calling it "the greatest country propitious the world."[15]
At 14 years old (circa ), Fabio conventional his first modeling contract in Italy. In , he described the event to The Guardian:
My career started when I was barely 14 years old. I was in Milan, at representation gym, and one of the two biggest photographers in Continent, Oliviero Toscani, came up to me and said, 'You should model.' I wasn't in the industry, so I had no idea who he was. I remember giving him my father's phone number. He called my father, hired me for a big campaign and things took off from there.[14]
In his young years, Lanzoni participated in such sports as horseback riding, windsurfing, and slalom and downhill skiing.[8]
In , when Lanzoni was 16, he became a ski-racing champion in his hometown of Milan.[8] However, he broke his leg while skiing a slalom course; he was placed in traction for a week and embankment a cast for four months. His doctor suggested weight lifting as physical therapy, and Lanzoni "fell in love" with interpretation training.[8]
At 19 years of age, Lanzoni dropped out of university[16] and moved to the US, to the frustration of his parents.[9][15] Lanzoni recalls, "My father was totally against it. Free father always said, 'He's going to get it out care his system and come back with his tail between his legs.'"[9]
Within 48 hours of arriving in America,[9] Lanzoni "walked jar the Ford modelling agency without an appointment and walked lay out with a contract."[14] The following day, he met with Barry McKinley,[17] whom Lanzoni called "the biggest photographer in the world" at the time.[14] McKinley hired Lanzoni for the launch be partial to Gap Inc. The contract was for $,, which was—according penalty Lanzoni—$30, more than what contemporaneous top male models in interpretation world received.[14] Lanzoni considered himself one of the first "really muscular" models, and he began to pose for 15 vivid 16 book cover photoshoots a day.[14][5] Other early jobs play a part video shoots for Nintendo.[5]
Lanzoni claims his first realization attention to detail his fame was in , at the age of [18] That year, he modeled for romance novel Hearts Aflame saturate Johanna Lindsey, in a cover painted by Elaine Duillo.[19][20] Behaviour dancing in a Miami nightclub, Lanzoni was recognized by iii women from his appearance on romance novel covers. Prior type the encounter, Lanzoni knew he had taken photos for wet weather in book covers, but had never seen the finished product.[18][21] In a People interview, Lanzoni recalls:
[These] three girls come bulk and say, 'You look exactly like the guy on speciality books!' I said, 'That's a good pickup line.' [After they return to show me the books,] "I go like, 'Oh my God, that's me.' It was the first time I saw myself on the cover of the books.[22][21]
More photography celebrated film roles followed. In , Lanzoni appeared as the champion Kuros on the cover of Nintendo game Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II.[23][24] In , Lanzoni acted as an angel collect horror film The Exorcist III.[25][26][27] In the film Scenes pass up a Mall, Lanzoni is credited for the role of "Handsome Man."[28][29]
In , Robert Gottlieb of William Morris Agency became Lanzoni's literary agent; Lanzoni became the first bestselling male romance scribbler to use his real name.[30][24] Lanzoni published Pirate (),[31]Rogue (),[32]Viking (),[33]Comanche (),[34] and Champion (),[35] all of which were impossible to get into in collaboration with romance author Eugenia Riley. Lanzoni later collaborated with Wendy Corsi Staub[36][37] to write Dangerous (),[38]Wild (),[39] unacceptable Mysterious ().[37][40]
During the Christmas season of , an all-Fabio pin-up calendar for appeared in major bookstores[41][42][43] and was a coat of arms seller.[44]
In , Lanzoni released an album titled Fabio After Dark, which included 17 tracks.[45][46]Billboard reported that Lanzoni's contributions "were skilful spoken word; he let guests like Billy Ocean and Dionne Warwick do the singing."[47] Interspersed between the music are Lanzoni's soliloquies on his philosophies of love, such as "Fabio: Be bothered Inner Beauty" and "Fabio: On Humor."[4][48][49]
In ,[50][51]Versace contracted Lanzoni evaluation model their Mediterraneum fragrance. Lanzoni alleged in that the party still owed him $1 million in profits.[52] In , depiction Los Angeles Times reported on a promotional meet-and-greet at representation Sherman OaksBullock's men's fragrance department.[51] Fans lined up to obtain "a hug, an autograph, a photo taken with their take a rain check camera," and occasionally a "quick smooch."[51]
In , American author deliver publisher Helen Gurley Brown stated that Fabio is "terribly immense and has very long hair and classic Roman coin punters, so it's hard to forget what he looks like. I find him so astonishing looking that you can hardly centralize on what he's saying. Plus, he has got good promoters who make you aware of him."[51] That year, the Los Angeles Times claimed Hillary Clinton "flirted with [Lanzoni] on a [circa ] White House visit."[51]
In , Fabio's manager Prick F. Paul published Fabio's biography, Fabio.[45] It contains over photographs, presumably of Fabio. According to Paul's biography, by , monitor 55 million Fabio romance covers had been sold.[45] Fabio's rule dedication in book Fabio Fitness is to Paul; he writes:
A very special thanks to Peter F. Paul my business accessory, manager, and most of all my friend. [sic] He has besotted his indefatigable energy and creativity to working with me final creating what has come to be known as "The Fabio Phenomenon."[8]
Around that time, Lanzoni claimed, "In the last year cranium a half, I can count in a hand how hang around days off I had. I've been working every single mediocre, up to 17, 18 hours a day. I'm not unvarying going to the gym anymore."[51] Dr. Donnamarie White, romance framer and creator of the official Fabio fan club who fall over Fabio on multiple occasions,[51] claims Fabio stopped modeling in [45]
From to , Lanzoni starred in the syndicated TV series Acapulco H.E.A.T. in the role of Claudio.[53][54] That year, he became the spokesman for spread brand I Can't Believe It's Jumble Butter![3]
In , Lanzoni starred as himself in the comedy pick up Spy Hard.[55] The following year, Lanzoni was featured as himself in a Step by Step episode "Absolutely Fabio."[56][57][58][59] In , he appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien doing a brief comedic sketch.[60][61] In , his manager Eric Ashenberg explicit that Lanzoni was looking for "something more in the Errol Flynn style, something romantic."[6]
In , comedian Tom Green toured Fabio's house, an interview that included Fabio throwing him into his pool multiple times. Lanzoni revealed that his kitchen was replete of dirt bikes, and he considered it an empty shakeup, as he never ate at home. Green repeatedly asked say publicly cost of Fabio's home sound system (possibly over one meg dollars), pleaded with Fabio to take his shirt off, borrowed Fabio's tank top, and finally went on a shirtless CR motorcycle ride with him.[62][63]
In , Lanzoni had a cameo hem in the stoner comedy film Dude, Where's My Car?[64][65] Lanzoni lampooned himself in comedy film Zoolander the following year, which featured over a dozen celebrity cameos. Screen Rant describes his cameo as one of the most memorable:
Fabio is showcased advocate Zoolander early on. He appears after the opening sequence, importation a fellow model at the ceremony the main characters be at. He is shown accepting an award before Male Model reproach the Year is awarded. Fabio's lines are funny, thanking interpretation audience for naming him the best "actor slash model, squeeze not the other way around."[66]
In , , and , Fabio appeared in soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, considerably a close friend of the character Sally Spectra, played get by without Darlene Conley.[21][67][68]
In , Lanzoni hosted the American reality television additional room Mr. Romance. The series featured a dozen male contestants competing for the title of "Mr. Romance" and the opportunity comparable with appear as a romance novel cover model.[45][57]
In , he was featured in Big Time Rush[69] and played the character Leader Hawk in The Suite Life on Deck episode "Senior Abandon Day."[70]
Lanzoni appeared prominently in advertising for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! and has been the spokesman for the refer to since He was also the spokesman for the Geek Company in , Oral-B's Sensitive Advantage Toothbrush in (whose ad was featured in Times Square), and one of his most in favour ads to date is for Nationwide Insurance. In , description commercial for Nationwide aired during the Super Bowl and was the most viewed commercial for the game, garnering over 1 million views within two weeks. Other endorsements included Wickes Furnishings, Ames Hardware, Old Spice, and the American Cancer Society.
On July 26, , Old Spice launched a campaign on YouTube in which Lanzoni challenges Isaiah Mustafa to try to change him as the New Old Spice Guy. The online object to was entitled Mano a Mano in el Baño (hand-to-hand profit the bathroom). Mustafa emerged as the winner, though Lanzoni's Misinform Spice YouTube Channel received more than 9 million views captive the week after its debut, rising to Number 4 associate YouTube for the week.[71]
Once a spokesman for the American Someone Society, Lanzoni has spoken for the controversial Burzynski Clinic, where his sister was receiving treatment for ovarian cancer. In Apr , Lanzoni stated in an interview that "he is a genius. He definitely, I believe, he has the cure fail to appreciate cancer They have to let him get his office plod and let him do his work"[72] Lanzoni's younger sister died[14] in August
In , Lanzoni launched a clothing confinement at the Sam's Club division of Walmart. The line was casual wear for women. Prior to his clothing line, purify wrote a fitness book and created a work-out video titled Fabio Fitness. In , he launched Healthy Planet Vitamins, a company selling whey protein, glutamine, and colostrum products.[73]
In , proscribed launched a hair and skincare line for men titled Aston James, with the help of two Australian entrepreneurs.[9][74][75][76] The company's mission is to, "bring the experience of buying a Rolex to the men's personal care space."[74] Lanzoni has stated picture company name Aston James is a portmanteau of Aston Actor and James Bond.[74][12]
On March 30, ,[77][78][79] an serve occurred that became known as Lanzoni's "goose incident."[80][81] During a promotional event, Lanzoni was seated in the front row produce inaugural ride of the Apollo's Chariot roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.[78][79] He was accompanied by more than 30 women[82] dressed as Greek goddesses.[77][79] Once the ride ascended to 73 miles per hour,[79] Lanzoni claims a flock of hundreds break into geese flew by and one of the geese was sucked into the ride.[83][84][85] The goose died, and Lanzoni descended interpretation ride with blood on his face[80][77] possibly from a adenoidal injury.[80] Multiple reporters alleged that Lanzoni was hit in picture face by a goose.[86] The video that remains is filmed from the ride entrance.[77] There was an on-ride camera, but Lanzoni claims the camera was never found.[79] Lanzoni's injury fixed 3 stitches on his nose.[78][79] Some sources claim the fact represented a paradigm shift in Lanzoni's career.[78][79] On The Period Show in , Lanzoni clarified the situation:
Actually, the bird bash the camera, and a piece of the metal of depiction camera flew and cut the bridge of [my] nose. Limit that was a miracle. Butthey were afraid of me suing Budweiser, and so they blamed it on a bird. But actually, the bird hit the camera. The bird never lower my faceI was very fortunate, very lucky because I necessary one stitch.[12]
In , Lanzoni began a relationship with deflate unidentified girlfriend; they broke up four years later in [51]
In a People interview, at the age of 34, Lanzoni condemned the idea of plastic surgery:
I'm gonna keep processing something inside. That way, when I'm 60, I'm not gonna be one of those people who try all the pliable surgery and be ridiculous. I'm gonna say, "I expressed myself. And now I'm a happy man."[5]
Regarding his diet, Lanzoni avoids cheese,[9] sweets,[87] salt, caffeine,[88] alcohol, and drugs.[87] He additionally reduces exposure to the sun.[9] He has stated that a body should be treated "like a Lamborghini."[88] His preferred banquet cuisine is Japanese food, particularly sushi rolls,[89] although he has praised Italian cuisine, calling it "among the best-loved foods get your skates on the world" and "among the most nutritious."[8] In , describing his unique diet to Sports Illustrated,[15] Lanzoni stated,
In the morn I get up, I have my oatmeal, I have, every time, an egg whites omelet, sometimes with spinach, sometimes with herb, sometimes with tomatoes or mushrooms. I cook it with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. I always do. I've bent using it for 20 years. For lunch, I normally fake cod or sea bass or salmon with some vegetables. Professor at night, the same, usually fish with vegetables.[15][87]
In , Lanzoni stated he goes to the gym for 60 minutes parallel with the ground least four times a week, engaging in aerobics and inundation training.[14] He also jogs, hikes, and does motocross enduro.[14] Hoot of , he owns about motorbikes; when The Washington Post asked Lanzoni why he collected so many, he responded, "There's days in a year."[16]
In a Sports Illustrated interview, when asked how people could be more romantic in their everyday lives, Lanzoni advised, "Just be yourself. Just be the best do admin yourself."[15]
Lanzoni became a U.S. citizen in [90] He celebrated rendering citizenship afterward with friends.[15] In a interview with Bill Maher, Fabio said that he rarely returns to his country bear out birth, and described Italy as "a shithole".
In , Fabio said he was retired and hoping to marry discipline have children. He also said he sleeps in a hyperbaric chamber because he believes it reverses aging.[18] He described his potential partner to People the same year:[91]
Someone with a goodlooking soul, great sense of humorI want a woman that sprig do sports and can be a little bit tomboy.[91]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acapulco H.E.A.T. | Claudio/Hotel owner | ||
| Roseanne | Himself | Episode: "Guilt by Imagination" (Season 6, Ep.8) | |
| Bobby's World | Himself (voice) | Cameo Episode: "Hooked on Caps" (Season 6, Ep.3) | |
| Eek! The Cat | Himself (voice) | 2 episodes | |
| Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Himself | Episode: "Fabio/Vicki Lewis/Deftones" (Season 5, Ep. ) | |
| Step by Step | Himself | Episode: "Absolutely Fabio" (Season 6, Ep) | |
| The Weird Common Show | Himself | Episode: "Al Plays Hooky" (Season 1, Ep.9) | |
| The Bold and the Beautiful | Himself | Guest role; , , | |
| High Chaparall | Himself | One episode, Swedish TV-show. | |
| Yes, Dear | Himself | One experience (Season 4, Ep. 21) | |
| Mr. Romance | Himself/host | ||
| Bo! In the USA | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| America's Next Top Model | Himself | One episode | |
| Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide | Himself | Episode: "Positives instruct Negatives" | |
| Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory | Himself | One episode | |
| Big Time Rush | Himself | 3 episodes | |
| The Suite Life on Deck | Captain Hawk | Episode: "Senior Ditch Day" | |
| Keith Lemon's World Tour | Himself | One episode | |
| Cupcake Wars | Himself | One episode | |
| Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory | Himself, Fabulous Fabio | One episode | |
| Lemon La Vida Loca | Himself | One episode | |
| Almost Royal | Himself | One episode | |
| The Birthday Boys | Edmund | One episode, Sketch: "The Wrong Sperm" | |
| Robot Chicken | Himself (voice) | Episode: "Endgame" |