A leading figure on Italian television, not only as a TV talk show host but also as an author and producer, known for his charismatic presence and his ability to interact with the public, Maurizio Costanzo passed away this morning at the age of 84. Together with his wife Maria De Filippi, he marked the history of Italian TV. Born in Rome in 1938, Costanzo began his radio career in the 1960s. In 1976 he made his debut on television as the author of the show "Il Musichiere”. In the same year, “Bontà Loro" marked a turning point for the entire Italian television: it was the first TV talk show in out country. He himself, in his experience as a Professor of Communication at the University La Sapienza,  in Rome, used to define himself as the inventor of the talk show genre. After hosting programs such as "Vieni via con me" and "Buona Domenica", in the 80s and 90s, Costanzo becomes the face of highly successful shows, such as “The Maurizio Costanzo Show” and “La vita in diretta, where he interviews famous people and deals with current events. One of Costanzo's distinguishing features was his ability to create emotional TV moments, as in the case of the interview with Roberto Benigni, immediately after his Academy Award in 1999, which moved many Italians. At the same time, Costanzo has never been afraid to express his opinions on topical issues, such as politics and society, often becoming the object of criticism and controversy (including that of belonging to the controversial P2 Masonic lodge, which he first denied and then finally confirmed), for which he also ended up in the crosshairs of the Mafia, and not only for his friendship with Giovanni Falcone. Following the murder of the entrepreneur Libero Grassi, who in 1991 had refused to pay hush money, Costanzo clearly exposed himself by organizing, together with Michele Santoro, a marathon that involved both RAI and Fininvest against the organized crime. On May 14, 1993, the mafia responded by blowing up a Fiat Uno a few meters from the entrance to the Parioli Theater, home of the Maurizio Costanzo Show: Costanzo and his wife Maria De Filippi, who were driving by at the time, remained unharmed, while they were the two bodyguards who escorted them were slightly wounded. In addition to his television career, Costanzo was the author of musical pieces, such as the well-known “Se telefonando” by Mina, and wrote successful books such as "Il mondo secondo me" and "L'arte di comunicare", where he shares his experience as a journalist and presenter. He has also produced numerous theater and film shows, such as “Una famiglia perfetta” e "Natale da chef”. In recent years Costanzo had returned to TV with a reduced format of “The Maurizio Costanzo Show”, and had also been a communication consultant for AS Roma, while he had never abandoned his daily columns on the newspapers Tempo and Libero. (Photo Gianluca Morabito)