Luca Calvani Bio

Born in Prato, Italy, LUCA CALVANI embarked on a successful modeling career during his teen years, working with all of the top names in the world of fashion, including Giorgio Armani.  After graduating from college, he moved to New York City, where he studied with some of the best acting coaches and attended the Actors Studio.  His Italian background, coupled with his ability to master both French and English, enabled him to work internationally.  Among his multiple American TV roles, the two most memorable were on the critically acclaimed Emmy®- and Golden Globe®-winning HBO TV series “Sex and the City,” where he starred opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Alan Cumming, and as the villain Dante Grimaldi on CBS TV’s daytime drama “As The World Turns.”


After his success in America, Calvani returned to his Italian roots as an acclaimed guest star on the popular TV series “Distretto di Polizia.”  In the Italian cinema, Calvani has worked with Dario D’Ambrosi in “Il Ronzio delle Mosche,” Lino Capolicchio in “Il Dario di Matilde Manzoni,” Ferzan Ozpetek in the award-winning “His Secret Life” (aka “Le Fate Ignoranti), and with Giorgio Panariello in “Al Momento Giusto.”


Calvani’s film work in Americaincludes the ambitious short “Parallel Passage,” directed by Mandi Riggi and sponsored by E-Films, which premiered at the 2003 Deauville Film Festival and was screened at the Sao Pauloand Turin Film Fests.  His indisputable natural talents include both dramatic and comedic turns.  His comic side highlighted in the French comedy “Absolutement Fabulous” (directed by Gabriel Aghion and produced by Jennifer Saunders), inspired by the spectacularly successful BBC series “Absolutely Fabulous.”

However, the years 2006-2007 mark the rise of Calvani’s career.  He was seen on television in “The Black Arrow” (aka “La Freccia Nera”), the remake of an Italian movie from Robert Louis Stevenson’s bestseller, and then in the successful sitcom “Cotti e Mangiati” on the RaiUno channel, directed by Franco Bertini, co-starring Flavio Insinna and Marina Massironi.  Meanwhile, Calvani was chosen for the 2006 edition of “Celebrity Survivor – Honduras” on the RaiUno channel (aka “L’isola dei Famosi”), the most popular reality show in Italy.  Calvani’s sensitive and profound nature mesmerized the audience throughout the country, allowing an introspective glimpse of the man behind the actor.

After conquering the island, the frills of stardom and widespread fame have not altered his focus.  Calvani stays busy splitting his time between the set and the stage.  After shooting “Il Commissario Manara,” a police drama directed by Italian Academy Award winner Davide Marengo for RaiUno, co-starring Jane Alexander, and performing in the stage production of “Sangue del mio Sangue” at the FontanonEstate, the Roman Summer Theatre Fest, Calvani was cast to play Enzo Calvini opposite Clive Owen, in Tom Tykwer’s action thriller “The International.”

Comedy has been at the center for Calvani in 2008.  After working with director Riccardo Milani on “Questo e Amore,” and appearing with Mandy Moore, Brian Greenberg and Scott Porter in the indie feature “The Good Guy. he joined the ensemble cast of "When in Rome", a spirited romantic comedy starring Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Danny de Vito and Anjelica Houston.

In 2009, Calvani focused back on the Italian front, splitting his time between hosting his own live talk show for channel one "Effetto Sabato"  and playing Giovanni, a funny and charming pediatrician on hit Tv series "Ho Sposato uno Sbirro" directed by Giorgio Capitani.

source: http://www.lucacalvani.net/Luca_Calvani/Bio_Eng.html