If you’ve spent even five minutes watching the glittery chaos of ABC’s ballroom, you know the man. He’s the one literally falling off his chair. He’s the one gesturing so wildly he nearly takes out Carrie Ann Inaba’s eye. He’s the one with the accent that sounds like a delicious, high-energy blend of three different continents. People constantly ask, where is bruno from on dancing with the stars, because his vibe is just... everywhere.
He isn't just a TV judge. He’s a force of nature.
Honestly, Bruno Tonioli is the heartbeat of that show. But his path to the judge's table wasn't some straight line through Hollywood. It started in a tiny town in post-war Europe, moved through the gritty clubs of Paris, and eventually landed in London before he became a household name in America.
The Italian Roots of a Global Icon
Bruno was born on November 25, 1955. The place? Ferrara, Italy.
If you haven't heard of it, Ferrara is a gorgeous, medieval-walled city in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. It’s known for its Renaissance architecture and being a bit quiet. Not exactly the first place you’d expect a flamboyant, leather-clad dance expert to emerge from.
Growing up there in the 50s and 60s was a world away from the bright lights of Los Angeles. His parents, Werther and Fulvia, were working-class people. His dad was a bus driver; his mom was a seamstress. They didn't even have a television in the house until Bruno was about seven years old.
Think about that. One of the most famous TV personalities in the world spent his early childhood without a screen.
Instead, he went to the cinema. He’d sit in the dark with his father, mesmerized by Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. He wasn't out playing football with the other boys. He was busy memorizing the way Gene Kelly moved his hips in Singin' in the Rain.
Why the accent is so confusing
This is the part that trips people up. If he’s Italian, why does he sound like that? Well, Bruno didn't stay in Ferrara. At 18, he basically fled. He wanted to dance, and his parents—bless them—wanted him to work in a bank.
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Imagine Bruno Tonioli as a bank teller. Just imagine it. It would be the most theatrical mortgage application of your life.
He moved to Paris first, joining a dance troupe called La Grande Eugène. Then he moved to London in the late 70s. Because he’s lived in the UK for over 40 years, his natural Italian cadence has picked up a heavy British inflection. He’s also fluent in five languages: Italian, English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. When you speak that many languages, your tongue starts to do its own thing.
From Choreographing Icons to Judging Celebrities
Long before he was telling a B-list actor that their Paso Doble was "a bit limp," Bruno was actually the guy behind the scenes for the biggest stars on the planet.
We’re talking legend status.
- The Rolling Stones: He worked with them.
- Freddie Mercury: He was there.
- Tina Turner: He helped craft that iconic energy.
- Elton John: You can actually see a young Bruno dancing in the music video for "I'm Still Standing."
Seriously, go watch that video on YouTube. He’s the one in the tight black outfit and the hat. He had this incredible career as a "wildcat" choreographer in London during the 80s and 90s. He was the go-to guy for music videos when MTV was at its peak. He did Bananarama’s "Venus." He did stuff for Duran Duran and Sting.
So, when he’s critiquing a celebrity on Dancing With the Stars, he isn't just being mean for the cameras. He actually knows what it takes to make a world-class performance pop.
The Dual-Continent Hustle
For about 15 years, Bruno lived a life that would give most people a permanent case of jet lag.
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Starting in 2005, he was judging both the British version, Strictly Come Dancing, and the American version, Dancing With the Stars, at the same time. This meant he would spend his weekends in London, film the show on Saturday night, and then hop on a flight to Los Angeles on Sunday. He’d do the US show on Monday and Tuesday, then fly back to London.
He did this for years. Every. Single. Week.
Eventually, the travel (and a global pandemic) made it impossible. He stepped away from the UK show in 2020 to focus on his life in the US. Today, he’s officially a resident of West Hollywood, though he still keeps his roots in London and visits Italy often.
What Most People Get Wrong About Bruno
People think the "Bruno character" is an act. They think the shouting and the standing up is just for the ratings.
But talk to anyone who has met him in real life, and they’ll tell you: that’s just Bruno. He’s 100% authentic energy. He’s spoken openly about being "the only gay in the village" back in Italy and how he used his flamboyant personality as a shield against bullies. He realized early on that if he was the loudest, funniest, and most talented person in the room, nobody could touch him.
It’s a survival mechanism that turned into a superpower.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're a fan of Bruno or just curious about his background, here is how you can dive deeper into his world:
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- Watch the "I'm Still Standing" music video: It’s a trip to see him as a professional dancer in 1983.
- Read his autobiography: It’s called Bruno Tonioli: My Story. He goes into a lot of detail about the struggles of growing up gay in a strict Catholic Italian household.
- Check out his earlier choreography: Look up the music videos for Bananarama or Tina Turner’s "Foreign Affairs" tour to see his creative DNA.
He’s more than just the guy who falls off his chair. He’s an Italian immigrant who conquered the London dance scene and then became one of the most recognizable faces in American television. So, the next time you ask where is bruno from on dancing with the stars, remember: he’s a kid from Ferrara who never stopped dancing.
And honestly? We're all better for it.