Italian heartthrob Fabio Lanzoni, better known simply as Fabio, turned heads during a rare outing, looking as striking as ever.
The famed model, celebrated worldwide for his romance novel covers, seemed to prove that age hasn’t dimmed his signature charm.
On this casual stroll, Fabio sported a purple long-sleeved, button-down shirt with a few buttons undone, showcasing his famously muscular chest.
He paired the look with grey skinny jeans and black suede boots, pushing along a shopping cart—though not without a minor faux pas.
Observers noted that he left the cart on a curb rather than returning it to the designated corral.
The Man Behind the Romance Novel Covers
Fabio’s iconic status comes from his role as the ultimate cover model during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He graced more than 1,300 romance novel covers, embodying the idealized vision of rugged masculinity and passionate love.
His long, flowing blonde hair, still perfectly coiffed, remains a defining feature.
Beyond books, Fabio has made appearances on television, including Roseanne, America’s Next Top Model, and The Bold and the Beautiful.
He’s also popped up in films playing himself, such as Eddie (1996), Spy Hard (1996), and most famously, Zoolander (2001).
In 2017, he even took on the role of The Pope in Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.
From Milan Gym to International Stardom
Fabio’s journey to fame has an almost cinematic quality.
Born in Milan, Italy, he was discovered at just 14 by one of Europe’s top photographers, Oliviero Toscani, while working out at a gym.
In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, Fabio recalled handing over his father’s phone number to Toscani, who promptly hired him for a major campaign—launching a career that would span decades.
He candidly admitted, “I’d be the biggest hypocrite if I said I really worked very hard for my career, because it was given to me on a silver platter.
My major focus was sports and going to the gym.”
Behind the Romance Novel Lens
When asked about the secret to his smoldering romance novel covers, Fabio shared a surprisingly blunt approach.
“When shooting those covers, it’s simple: you’re hugging a beautiful girl and you think about making love to her,” he told The Guardian.
“You look at the camera and you go, ‘I’m serious – if I get hold of you, I’ll do a number on you.
I would make you lose your sanity!’ You play a character; otherwise, it would just be another empty picture.”
A Wild Goose Chase on a Rollercoaster
Not all of Fabio’s headline moments have been glamorous.
On March 31, 1999, the star was famously left bloodied after a goose collided with his face while riding the brand-new Apollo’s Chariot rollercoaster at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The incident was so bizarre it prompted widespread speculation that it was an April Fool’s prank.
Years later, Fabio reflected on the event, telling People in March 2024, “I tell you, it was a miracle.
To be hit by a goose at almost 80 miles an hour and only get a stitch? It’s a freaking miracle. That day taught me to live life to its fullest.
I could have died or lost my vision, but I only got a cut.”
A Multi-Faceted Career
Fabio’s talents extend beyond romance novels and television.
He has represented numerous brands, including I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! and Old Spice, while also working as a high-fashion model for names like Versace and Gap.
His versatility—from acting and modeling to endorsements—cements his place as an enduring figure in pop culture.
From Italy to America
Now a U.S. citizen since 2016, Fabio has remained an emblem of romance, charm, and resilience.
Whether gracing the covers of novels, strutting the runways, or recounting wild goose encounters, he continues to captivate audiences decades after his rise to fame.
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