Worked for Lux Films in Rome from 1945 to 1949, where he oversaw several features by directors including Mario Camerini and Alberto Lattuada. In 1950 Ponti began a successful partnership with Dino De Laurentiis, producing a number of noted films such as Federico Fellini's "La Strada" (1954). He then branched out on his own in the mid-1950s, scoring critical and popular success with international productions by directors such as Vittorio De Sica, Jean-Luc Godard and David Lean.Ponti's 1957 marriage to Sophia Loren sparked off a string of Italian legal complications (a previous divorce was still being contested) which resulted in his taking French citizenship in 1964. In 1979, he was sentenced, in absentia, to a jail term and a multi-million dollar fine, for charges involving the smuggling of currency and art.
Profession(s):
producer, production manager
Sometimes Credited As:
National Society of Film Critics Award Best Picture "Blow-Up" 1966
Golden Globe Award Best Motion Picture-Drama "Doctor Zhivago" 1965
Golden Globe Samuel Goldwyn International Award "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" 1963
Golden Globe Award Best Foreign Language Foreign Film "Two Women" 1961
1989 First film produced after legal difficulties, "Running Away'
1979 Fined by Italian court the equivelent of 25 million dollars and sentenced to a four year term in absentia for muggling art and currency
1965 Produces epic film "Dr. Zhivago"
1964 Obtains French citizenship
1958 First American producing credit, "The Black Orchid"
1957 Dissolves partneship with De Laurentiis and marries Sophia Loren
1954 Produces Fellini's "La Strada"
1950 Begins producing partnership with Dino De Laurentiis
1942 First feature producing credit, "Piccolo Mondo Antico/Old-Fashioned World"
