The life and sudden death of Mario Lanza

Good looks, charisma, and a voice that could shatter glass and sent a shiver up your spine at the same time. Mario Lanza had the entertainment world eating out of the palm of his hand until his own demons cut his life short.

Born in Pennsylvania in the US in 1921, it was apparent from a very young age that his calling would be to sing.  At the age of 16, he had already made a name for himself as a top class singer and in 1942 he was awarded a full student scholarship to Berkshire Music Center. Legendary Boston Symphony conductor Serge Koussevitzky who was responsible for Mario’s scholarship told him, “Yours is a voice such as is heard once in a hundred years.”

Mario found himself the toast of the stage after he made his opera debut in 1942 performing in Otto Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. By 21-years-old, Mario was one of the most sought after performers on stage.  It would have continued if World War II hadn’t broken out. Mario was assigned to special service where he entertained the troops.

When Mario returned to the US in 1945 he picked up where he left off and took to his work with gusto. In 1947, his celebrity brought Hollywood calling and legendary Hollywood icon Louis B. Mayer signed Mario to a seven-year contract with MGM Studios.  His first two films That Midnight Kiss and The Toast of New Orleans. It was from the latter film that the song Be My Love became a smash hit selling three million singles and putting him on the world stage.

Mario’s demons of alcohol and drastic weight issues made him argumentative and we would clash with directors.  Famously on the set of The Student Prince, Mario clashed with director Curtis Bernhardt and walked off the set.  Mario was replaced by English actor Edmund Purdon who lip-synced Mario’s previously recorded music.

Mario cut ties with Hollywood for a year after this event and almost went bankrupt. He made another film in 1955, Serenade, but it didn’t have anywhere near the success of his previous films. In 1957, Mario moved to Italy.  He worked on the film Seven Hills of Rome as well as singing for Queen Elizabeth II and going on tour around Europe.

Sadly, four years later he would be dead. Mario’s alcohol abuse mixed with the use of controversial weight loss programs to lose weight for roles gave him heart problems. He was admitted to a hospital in Rome and died of a heart attack.  He was only 38. 

A powerful singer, a greater presence, and a bright star that burned out too fast.

Mario is having a resurgence of popularity thanks to Australian tenor Mark Vincent releasing a new album with a duet with Mario called A Tribute to Mario Lanza.  It’s out now and available from markvincent.com.au.

What was your favourite film or song by Mario Lanza?