Maurizio Arena

Maurizio Arena (26 December 1933 – 21 November 1979) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 78 films between 1952 and 1978.

Born in Rome as Maurizio di Lorenzo, Arena made his film debut at nineteen years old, with a small role in Bellezze in moto-scooter. His breakout role came in 1956 with the role of Romolo in the successful Dino Risi's romance-comedy film Poveri ma belli. Until the early 1960s Arena was one of the most popular actors in the Italian cinema, as well as a protagonist of gossip columns for his tumultuous sentimental life. Declined the fame, he was active as a character actor in films often of modest value until his death.

An occasional singer, in the last years of his short life Arena was also a healer with some local following. He died at age 45 following a heart attack which occurred as a result of worsening of the renal affection he suffered from some time. In 2008 a park was named after him in his native district Garbatella.