Marco Bellocchio cast Alessandro Haber in the 1967 film China Is Near, marking the professional cinematic debut of the Bologna-born performer. Since that introduction to Italian screen culture, his career has spanned over five decades across stage, music, and cinema, characterized by a diverse range of roles and an occasional venture into directing.
Early Life and Screen Debut
Born in 1947 to a Romanian Jewish father and an Italian mother, Haber spent part of his childhood in Israel before returning to Italy. His entry into film arrived with the 1967 production China Is Near. He secured his first leading role years later in Pupi Avati’s Christmas Present. Throughout his career, he has navigated various roles, from dramatic performances to comedic delivery.
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Haber maintains a consistent presence in Italian theatre. His repertoire includes performances in Orgia by Pier Paolo Pasolini, Woyzeck by Georg Büchner, The Miser by Molière, and Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov. He has also appeared in Natalia Ginzburg’s Dialogo and Carlo Goldoni’s A Servant of Two Masters. Starting in 2006, he toured with Tango d'amore e di coltelli, an adaptation of Jorge Luis Borges featuring music by Ástor Piazzolla. His sole credit as a director is the 2003 film Scacco pazzo.
Music and Recitation
Beyond acting, Haber has pursued a musical career as a singer and songwriter. He released three albums: Haberrante in 1995, Qualcosa da dichiarare in 1999, and Il sogno di un uomo in 2003. The single La valigia dell'attore, written by Francesco De Gregori, represents his most prominent commercial success. In 2017, he shifted toward spoken-word performance by interpreting poetry by Gabriele Tinti, which he presented within the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and the Capitoline Museums in Rome.
Awards and Professional Conduct
Haber has received numerous industry accolades, including three Nastro d'Argento awards and one David di Donatello for best supporting actor in 1994 for Per amore, solo per amore. In 1995, he earned the Nastro d'Argento for best actor in La vera vita di Antonio H. In 2011, while rehearsing for a stage production of Othello, a physical altercation with co-star Lucia Lavia resulted in his removal from the production; he was subsequently replaced by Franco Branciaroli.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947, Bologna, Italy
- Film debut: China Is Near, 1967
- Directorial debut: Scacco pazzo, 2003
- Albums released: 3
- Primary languages: Italian
Questions readers ask
What is Alessandro Haber's most successful song?
His greatest success as a singer is the single La valigia dell'attore, composed for him by Francesco De Gregori.
Which major awards has Haber won?
He has won three Nastro d'Argento awards, a David di Donatello, the Premio Gassman, the Premio IDI, and various theatre critics' awards.
Achievements
- Worked as film director, actor and composer
