Motion Picture Producer. Born Agostino De Laurentiis at Torre Annunziata, Naples, Italy, he studied at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome prior to World War II, earning tuition by working as an extra, actor, and prop man. He produced his first film, "L'Amore Canta", before his 21st birthday. After 1946 his company, the Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, produced such films such as "Bitter Rice" (1946) and the Fellini classics "La Strada" (1954) and "Nights of Cabiria" (1956). In the 1970s he relocated to the US, establishing his own studio, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, and producing such acclaimed films as "Serpico" (1973), "Death Wish" (1974), and "Three Days of the Condor" (1975). In the 1980s in addition to producing such films as "Ragtime" (1981) and "Blue Velvet" (1986), he branched out to open food stores in Manhattan and Los Angeles. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented him with the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award in 2001 for his body of work, which included almost 500 films. He never ceased work, however, producing his last film, "Hannibal Rising", in 2007. He passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 91.

Motion Picture Producer. Born Agostino De Laurentiis at Torre Annunziata, Naples, Italy, he studied at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome prior to World War II, earning tuition by working as an extra, actor, and prop man. He produced his first film, "L'Amore Canta", before his 21st birthday. After 1946 his company, the Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, produced such films such as "Bitter Rice" (1946) and the Fellini classics "La Strada" (1954) and "Nights of Cabiria" (1956). In the 1970s he relocated to the US, establishing his own studio, De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, and producing such acclaimed films as "Serpico" (1973), "Death Wish" (1974), and "Three Days of the Condor" (1975). In the 1980s in addition to producing such films as "Ragtime" (1981) and "Blue Velvet" (1986), he branched out to open food stores in Manhattan and Los Angeles. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented him with the Irving Thalberg Memorial Award in 2001 for his body of work, which included almost 500 films. He never ceased work, however, producing his last film, "Hannibal Rising", in 2007. He passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 91.

Bio by: Iola