Gigi Sabani
Encyclopedia
Luigi Sabani, best known as Gigi (October 5, 1952 – September 4, 2007) was an Italian TV impersonator
, host
and singer.
Born in Rome
, Sabani made his television debut in the late 1970s as an impersonator: his most famous imitations included those of Adriano Celentano
and Mike Bongiorno
. From 1983 to 1986 he hosted the Italian version of the show The Price Is Right
(OK, il Prezzo è Giusto!) along with (and later succeeded by) Italian singer Iva Zanicchi
. He participated at Festival di Sanremo in 1989. His best known song was A me mi torna in mente una canzone (1983).
In 1997, he was implicated in a giudicial case for fraud in sexual matters and induction to prostitution: he was arrested, but was discharged as the case was filed, and Sabani claimed damages.
That was an abrupt halt to a blooming career, that made him from the early 80s one of the most popular artist of the Italian TV. (translated from La Repubblica of Sept 5, 2007)
On September 4 2007, just 31 days before he would have turned 55, he died of myocardial infarction
while visiting his sister. His fiancée, controversial actress Raffaella Ponzo, found out days later that she was pregnant with his child. She gave birth to his son on May 19th 2008.
Impersonator
An impersonator is someone who imitates or copies the behavior or actions of another. There are many reasons for someone to be an impersonator, some common ones being as follows:...
, host
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
and singer.
Born in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Sabani made his television debut in the late 1970s as an impersonator: his most famous imitations included those of Adriano Celentano
Adriano Celentano
Adriano Celentano is an Italian singer, songwriter, comedian, actor, film director and TV host.-Biography:Celentano was born in Milan at 14 Via Gluck, about which he later wrote the famous song "Il ragazzo della via Gluck"...
and Mike Bongiorno
Mike Bongiorno
Michael Nicholas Salvatore Bongiorno , known as Mike Bongiorno, was an American-born Italian television host. He started his career on Italian TV in the 1950s and was considered to be the most popular host in Italy...
. From 1983 to 1986 he hosted the Italian version of the show The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right is a television game show franchise originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and created by Bob Stewart, and is currently produced and owned by FremantleMedia. The franchise centers on television game shows, but also includes merchandise such as video games, printed...
(OK, il Prezzo è Giusto!) along with (and later succeeded by) Italian singer Iva Zanicchi
Iva Zanicchi
Iva Zanicchi is an Italian pop singer.Iva Zanicchi's career began in 1962 at the Castrocaro Festival of New Voices, where she gained third place. She won the Sanremo song festival in 1967 with Non pensare a me, in 1969 with Zingara and again in 1974 with Ciao cara, come stai?...
. He participated at Festival di Sanremo in 1989. His best known song was A me mi torna in mente una canzone (1983).
In 1997, he was implicated in a giudicial case for fraud in sexual matters and induction to prostitution: he was arrested, but was discharged as the case was filed, and Sabani claimed damages.
That was an abrupt halt to a blooming career, that made him from the early 80s one of the most popular artist of the Italian TV. (translated from La Repubblica of Sept 5, 2007)
On September 4 2007, just 31 days before he would have turned 55, he died of myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
while visiting his sister. His fiancée, controversial actress Raffaella Ponzo, found out days later that she was pregnant with his child. She gave birth to his son on May 19th 2008.