John Capodice dies: ‘Ace Ventura’ & ‘General Hospital’ Italian American actor was 83
John Capodice, an acting veteran whose credits included Ryan’s Hope, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, General Hospital and Seinfeld, died December 30. He was 83. The announcement was made on the website of the New Jersey Pizzi Funeral Home and did not list a cause of death. The funeral home called Capodice “a devoted husband, father and grandfather who...
La Grande Famiglia: Celebrating the Italian American Experience Through Storytelling and Music
La Grande Famiglia is a new and innovative radio program on Rai, designed to celebrate and connect the Italian American community through the powerful medium of storytelling and music. This program, which airs on Rai Radio 1, explores the rich cultural exchange between Italy and the United States, reflecting the stories, struggles, and triumphs of...
The trials and tribulations of Serie A’s American owners
Few countries sell the dream better than Italy. Its scenery, food and history have tempted many a visitor to make their stay a permanent one down the years. However, as many of them will tell you, the reality can often prove much more testing than their sun-kissed fortnight in the summer had led them to believe. The narrative of Serie A’s American...
In 2025, Super Mario Bros. turns 40
On Sept. 13, 1985, Nintendo launched Super Mario Bros., introducing numerous innovations in video game design, establishing conventions that are still followed today. Super Mario Bros. was not only an extraordinary commercial success, selling over 40 million copies, but it also became a global cultural phenomenon, showing video games could be a sop...
“A Citizen of All Places, Contemporary of All Ages”: A Volume Celebrates the Legacy of Neapolitan Enlightenment Philosopher Gaetano Filangieri
Edited by Professor Amedeo Arena of the University of Naples Federico II – the Italian university celebrating its 800th anniversary this year – the book Cittadino di tutti i luoghi, contemporaneo di tutte l’età: l’universalità del pensiero di Filangieri brings together essays by legal scholars, historians, and philosophers, exploring the universal...
Isabella Rossellini unveils the quiet influence of women in the Vatican in "Conclave" movie
In the mystery thriller Conclave, Italian American actress Isabella Rossellini portrays Sister Agnes, a nun who plays a pivotal role during the secretive process of selecting a new Pope. The film delves into the clandestine world of the Vatican's papal conclave, shedding light on the subtle yet significant influence of women within the traditionall...
Steve Schirripa Says the ‘Close Knit’ Blue Bloods Cast ‘Treated Me Like One of Them’ from Day 1
Steve Schirripa was welcomed to Blue Bloods like family. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the actor, 67, opens up about how the cast of the CBS show treated him when he joined the series in 2015 to portray Detective Anthony Abetemarco. "It was a very close-knit group, really, a nice group of people," Schirripa says. "I didn't know anyone, so...
The Carter Administration's relations with Italy and Italian Americans
The 39th President of the United States (1977–1981), Jimmy Carter, has died at the age of 100. Jimmy Carter Carter maintained a notable connection with Italy and the Italian American community. This relationship was built on mutual respect, cultural appreciation, and shared values. Jimmy Carter's presidency coincided with a transformative period in...
Comedian Dick Capri Dead At 93
Legendary comedian, writer and Broadway actor Dick Capri has died at the age of 93, his son, Jeff, confirmed to TMZ on Thursday (December 26). Capri was previously diagnosed with a bleeding enlarged aorta, however, doctors were unable to operate on him due to his advanced age. The entertainer reportedly continued living his live despite the diagnos...
Suze Rotolo, the Italian American muse behind Elle Fanning’s character in A Complete Unknown
In 2024, the film A Complete Unknown was released, offering a cinematic portrayal of Bob Dylan's early career and his relationship with Italian American Suze Rotolo. Directed by James Mangold, the biopic stars Timothée Chalamet as Dylan and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, a character inspired by Rotolo. The film delves into Dylan's rise in the 1960s...
Michael Palma publishes a new translation of the Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy is one of the most significant works in Western literature, captivating readers for over 700 years. Its profound themes, intricate structure, and timeless exploration of the human condition have made it a cornerstone of literary and philosophical study. Translating such a masterpiece into English, or any language, is...
World War II Italian American Army nurse veteran celebrates her 105th birthday
On Dec. 20, World War II Army nurse veteran Regina Benson celebrated her 105th birthday. Born on Dec. 20, 1919 in Philadelphia to Italian immigrant parents, Regina was one of nine children and a twin. Inspired by a sense of patriotic duty, Benson served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in Hawaii, Okinawa and Japan from September...