Umberto Smaila
Umberto Smaila (born 26 June 1950) is an Italian actor, composer, comedian, television personality, entrepreneur and musician.
Born in Verona, in the early-1970s Smaila co-founded together with Jerry Calà, Franco Oppini and Ninì Salerno a cabaret-ensemble, "i gatti di Vicolo Miracoli". The group, reduced to three components since 1982, appeared on several successful TV programs and films and released several songs.[1][2] After the disbandment of the group Smaila was the television presenter of a number of quiz and variety shows, most notably the late night show Colpo grosso.[1][2] In nineties he founded the "U.S.Band", an orchestra with whom he was cast in several television programs.[1]
As a composer, Smaila signed the musical scores of several genre films including Beast with a Gun (1977), Il ragazzo del pony express (1986), Sweets from a Stranger (1987), Delitti e profumi (1988) and Chicken Park (1994). The main theme of Beast with a Gun was later included in the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown.[3]
Smaila also wrote and directed a musical comedy film, Italian Boys, released in 1982.[3] He is the founder of the brand Smaila's, a chain of restaurants and nightclubs specialized in live music.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 Aldo Grasso – Massimo Scaglioni, Enciclopedia della Televisione, Garzanti, Milano, 1996 – 2003. ISBN 881150466X.
- 1 2 3 Eddy Anselmi. Festival di Sanremo: almanacco illustrato della canzone italiana. Panini Comics, 2009. ISBN 8863462291.
- 1 2 Marco Giusti (1999). Dizionario dei film italiani stracult. Sperling & Kupfer. ISBN 8820029197.