- Born
- Died
- Birth nameSergio Franci Galli
- Height1.85 m
- Born in Cogorno, Liguria to a Neapolitan father and a Genoese mother, Franchi made his singing debut at age 10 as a hunchback in a school play. He sang with jazz groups in Italy, but immigrated to South Africa in 1947, after he completed his compulsory military service. He worked as a draftsman and designed commercial interiors working for his father's furniture business. Within a few years, his amateur singing led to leading roles in operetta and opera.
Having experienced local fame, Franchi was encouraged to return to Italy and pursue an operatic career. Fate intervened as opportunities opened instead in popular music and television. Discovered on a BBC TV show, he accepted an RCA recording contract and a Sol Hurok 1962-63 concert tour. Sergio Franchi quickly rose to multi-media stardom in America, and became an American citizen in 1972.- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous
- SpousesEva Simone Franchi(June 14, 1982 - May 1, 1990) (his death)Yvonne Lindsey Franchi(February 14, 1953 - December 31, 1981) (divorced, 2 children)
- In May 1965, Franchi sang at the huge annual Congressional Club luncheon honoring then-First Lady Lady Bird Johnson.
- On October 10, 1977, Franchi served as Grand Marshall of the world's largest Italian-American celebration - New York City's Columbus Day Parade. A decade later, he held the record for the biggest one-week attendance draw at the North Shore Music Theater.
- In 1976, Franchi was hired to do television commercials for Chrysler Corporation's Plymouth Volare as well as for Hills Brothers Coffee. He also signed to endorse Carpineto wines in print media because "Italy produces 90% of the grapes for wine".
- On September 15, 1983, Sergio Franchi gave a Command Performance for President Ronald Reagan in honor of the Portugese State Visit.
- A generous benefactor and philanthropist, Sergio Franchi was honored by The Greater New Orleans Cultural Society on March 12, 1982 where they presented him with the "16th Annual Italian American of the Year Award.".
- In revenge for all those singing 'Arrivederci Roma' in English, I'm going to sing 'Chicago' in Italian!
- On the fear of dying: I died once in a night club. It was my first night club date. I'm 39, quite successful, make quite a lot of money, happy. When Will I be in a better shape to face it?
- On being poor and being rich: The feeling of being poor is terrible You think the whole world is against you...I went on no matter what!...Now that I am rich, I enjoy the fact that I can walk into any restaurant anywhere and not think how much the bill is going to be.
- "From the waist up I'm Neapolitan" (pointing to his heart). "From the waist down I'm Genovese" (pointing to his pocket)
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