Federico Fellini

Italian film maker, a screenwriter and director of top Italian films, known by many as the master of cinema. He thrived on chaos and confusion, and his films are noted for being weird, strange and exaggerated. He was the first of three kids in a Catholic family. A kid, he staged puppet shows in his bedroom. He often related the story of running away to join the circus, an incident that in actuality, lasted an afternoon until a friend took the wandering seven-year-old home. Not knowing what he wanted to do, he moved to Florence in 1937. He took odd jobs for a year and moved to Rome, avoiding the draft. He began film work as a gagman and scenarist and wrote screenplays before collaborating with Rossellini 1944-1952. Among some 20 feature films, his Oscar-winners include "8 1/2," and "La Strada." Fellini said that he was born on the day in 1943 when he met 22-year-old actress Giuletta Masina; they married 30 October 1943. Their child was born on 22 March 1945 but died 11 days later on 2 April 1945, they were productive professionally, often working together. Fellini had a stroke 3 August 1993 and was in a coma since 17 October 1993. With respiratory problems, he died of a heart attack on 31 October 1993, Rome, followed by his beloved Giuletta a few months later. Link to Wikipedia biography