Esposito: Grandfather's Life Saved by Phone Call

Giancarlo Esposito recounted a harrowing tale of his grandfather's near-execution during Benito Mussolini's fascist rule in Italy. The actor's grandfather, who worked with opera sets, was arrested multiple times for his public criticism of Mussolini. His final arrest brought him to the brink of death.

Esposito explained that Mussolini urgently needed to see the opera 'Madame Butterfly' and required his grandfather's knowledge of the set's location. Just five minutes before a scheduled firing squad execution, a phone call inquired about his whereabouts. This timely intervention saved his life, and he subsequently delivered the opera set.