From the pizzeria to the screen: Actor Oliver Masucci on his strict childhood – and what he
than dad does differently.
Oliver Masucci, 54, is one of the best-known German actors nationally and internationally. His breakthrough came in 2015 with the Hitler parody “He’s back.”
Oliver Masucci: From pizza baker to successful actor
It was clear to Gitta and Pino Masucci that their son Oliver would become a pizza chef in their own restaurant in Bonn-Ippendorf. But then they did the math without their firstborn. Because Oliver Masucci wants to get on stage early and become an actor. This causes tension in the family, especially with his father. Today he is one of the best German film stars. Now the 54-year-old has written down the story of his childhood.
GALA: Your book is called “Dreamer Dancer”. What’s it all about?
Oliver Masucci: That’s what my father called me. And that always had something negative about it, like: “You can’t do it.” I turned the word into a positive: “Of course I can do it, because you can make dreams come true.” But in families things are very busy – people are not politically correct creatures, but the opposite. Life is real and doesn’t happen on Instagram. It’s often hurtful and then it’s about forgiveness.
Have you had a lot of arguments?
Well, we are Italians, we had a nutritious culture of debate. Reconciliation always took place over food. Before that, we yelled at each other and argued until we had blood, which we called discussing. And then everyone cooked and ate together again. Beef roulades met involtini, polpette in tomato sauce met meatballs with mustard.
Do you feel more German or Italian?
The German thing about me is the language; my father never really taught me Italian. During my childhood I was a “spaghetti eater” in Germany and a “mangia patate” in Italy. (“Potato Eater”, editor’s note) – so I always had the feeling that I didn’t belong anywhere. This gave rise to the desire to create a parallel world that was more beautiful and colorful, on stage and screen. My grandmother lived in Graurheindorf, the name says it all. (laughs)
At school they were the “Itaker”.
The polo shirt straps gave me a hard time, but I endured it. And for a long time I didn’t dare to defend myself. I wanted to belong. At some point I fought back, which felt good.
What did your father say when you finally got accepted to drama school?
“You won’t get a penny from me.” Later at the theater he just laughed at my salary: “You can continue as a pizza maker for me, then you’ll earn three times as much!” (laughs) I started working in our restaurant when I was seven, but at some point I refused because I only wanted to earn money as an actor. That’s why his comment hurt me at the time, but I find it funny now.
Success has to be fought for
And when did the first real money flow?
After half a year I made my first film and received 15,000 marks for it. That was a lot. My father bagged it and I had to drive from Berlin to Bonn twice a month to get some.
Why? You were already 21.
That’s how it is with Italians, they just like to hand over envelopes. (laughs) I grew up with authoritarian inconsistency. With rules that no one followed, but that were shouted at you. My father always demanded respect from me and I drove him crazy – but I gave him the money. I think he didn’t want me to go crazy in Berlin; at home I was treated like a prince.
What does cooking mean to you?
I have experienced love in this way and pass it on, for example to my children. You might think I’m an acting weirdo who needs a ton of attention, but he can cook!
You also have a selfie with you Snoop Dog and Jamie Foxx worried…
That was the first time they thought I was really cool! (laughs)
Do your children have to fight less than you did back then?
I wouldn’t be where I am now if everything had been made easy for me. That’s why I also want my children to fight for the things they want to achieve. My parents were incredibly proud to have built their own restaurant in order to rise to the middle class. They worked day and night for this. I internalized this ambition and unconsciously passed it on to my children. Buying your daughters a Gucci handbag for their birthday is boring. You need a goal yourself. And once they have earned the money for it at some point, they can still think about whether the bag is really worth all the work.
You can’t invent family. Are you happy with yours?
The family is my inspiration – I just have to make it into a film. I think everything is good the way it is. I have forgiven and hopefully she has forgiven me too. I could be quite a strenuous child… (laughs)