The much-loved comedian Johnny Navarro would have been 100 years old today and to mark this occasion his family has released his meticulously kept records and memorabilia stretching back to the 1930s.
He had a strictness about him and lived by the motto ‘everything done properly’
Born in Valletta, Mr Navarro died in 1997 at the age of 84.
An auditor, collector of beer mats and stamps, a model ship builder and above all an actor, Mr Navarro was a man for all seasons.
His grandson, lawyer John Seychell Navarro, now wants to share the memory of his very unique grandfather.
Dr Seychell Navarro lost his father at the age of two. In his grandfather he found someone to take care of him in the same way he cared for the rest of his family – and share a joke or two.
However, while Mr Navarro was terrific at making people laugh during performances, he was completely different off stage, his grandson recalls.
He had a strictness about him and lived by the motto “everything done properly”.
True to his maxim, he kept diaries and records in which he noted every single detail of his life, from bills and travel tickets to a log of his clock collection and where exactly they were situated in his house. He even did a small sketch of what the item looked like.
He also kept the programme of every performance he gave, filing the pictures and posters and keeping track of dates and times.
But however much he loved acting, he would get offended if anyone referred to him by the name of Spiru Cefai – his most famous stage character. He wanted to be known for the person he really was, his grandson said.
He was awarded the Malta Drama League ‘Oscar’ for best actor in 1959, among several other awards. He also had a speaking part in the film Midnight Express.
Any member of the public who would like to have a look at the memorabilia may send an e-mail to atturjohnnynavarro@gmail.com or call Dr Seychell Navarro on 7979 8877.
A publication is also being planned and anyone who has information, photos and so on is asked to make contact. This can also be done through Facebook page Johnny Navarro – In Memory Of.