I Kill, a 2002 thriller novel, propelled Giorgio Faletti into international literary success, selling more than four million copies. This debut novel signaled a dramatic transition for a man who had already established a multifaceted career in Italy as a comedian, songwriter, and screen actor, demonstrating a range that spanned from television variety shows to somber mystery fiction.
Early Career and Television
After graduating from law school, Faletti began his professional life as a comedian during the 1970s at the Milanese club Derby. He performed alongside actors such as Diego Abatantuono, Teo Teocoli, Massimo Boldi, Paolo Rossi, and Francesco Salvi. By the 1980s, he transitioned to television, appearing on Antenna 3 Lombardia and the show Pronto Raffaella. His profile grew in 1985 through his role in the Antonio Ricci variety show Drive In, followed by appearances on programs including Emilio, Fantastico, and Stasera mi butto... e tre!.
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Faletti maintained a concurrent career in music, releasing the mini-album Colletti bianchi in 1988, which served as the soundtrack for a television series in which he acted. In 1991, he released the album Disperato ma non serio. His most significant musical achievement arrived in 1994 at the Sanremo Music Festival with the song Signor Tenente, which ranked second and won the Critics' Award. He also composed works for other artists, including Mina and Angelo Branduardi, and contributed songs for the Sanremo Festival as recently as 2007.
Literary Success and Later Years
Following a debut humorous book in 1994, Faletti achieved massive commercial success with his transition to thriller writing. After the 2002 release of I Kill, he published works including The Killer In My Eyes, Outside of an Evident Destiny, and I Am God. His contributions to literature were acknowledged with the De Sica Prize in 2005. Outside of writing, he appeared in films such as Notte prima degli esami and served as president of the Astense Library starting in 2012.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Asti
- Died: 4 July 2014, Turin
- Primary Literary Success: I Kill (2002)
- Notable Song: Signor Tenente (1994)
- Languages: Italian
- Citizenship: Italy
- Known Occupations: Writer, comedian, musician, jurist
- Posthumous Award: America Award (2019)
Questions readers ask
How many languages have Faletti's books been translated into?
His books have been translated into 25 languages.
Did Faletti have a background in professional sports?
While he was a motor-racing enthusiast and wrote columns about Formula One and Rally for Autosprint, he was not a professional athlete.
