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Living only to 38, Lanza has left many admirers wondering what he might have produced. The lauded tenor and native of the 600 block of Christian Street made many successful recordings and film appearances, including a portrayal of his operatic idol Enrico Caruso in 1951’s “The Great Caruso,” a box office smash.
Born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza in 1921, the Bella Vista product commenced his opera career at 21, with his talent, which experienced a hiatus during his World War II time in the U.S. Army Air Corps, eventually scoring him deals with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and RCA Victor. The alumnus of South Philadelphia High School died in Rome when preparing for a film, possibly from a heart attack, with his local legacy living on through an eponymous museum, a mural and a park.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
The South Philadelphia Walk of Fame 2013 inductees
/ Marian Anderson / Paul Arizin / Frankie Avalon / Joey Bishop / John Chaney /
/ James Darren / Angelo Dundee / Fabian / Larry Fine / Eddie Fisher /
/ Kenny Gamble / Frank Gasparro / Joey Giardello / Stephen Girard / Sherman Hemsley /
/ Irvin Kershner / Jack Klugman / Eddie Lang / Mario Lanza / Rob McElhenney /
/ Joe Medeiros / Earl "The Pearl" Monroe / Nathan Morris / Michelle Nader / Gene Perret /
/ Frank Rizzo / Bobby Rydell / Lisa Scottoline / Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter / Anna Verna /
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