Career
He appeared in 78 films between 1952 and 1978. Born in Rome as Maurizio di Lorenzo, Arena made his film debut at nineteen years old, with a small role in Bellezze in moto-scooter. His breakout role came in 1956 with the role of Romolo in the successful Dino Risi"s romance-comedy film Poveri ma belli.
Until the early 1960s Arena was one of the most popular actors in the Italian cinema, as well as a protagonist of gossip columns for his tumultuous sentimental life.
Declined the fame, he was active as a character actor in films often of modest value until his death. An occasional singer, in the last years of his short life Arena was also a healer with some local following.
He died at age 45 following a heart attack which occurred as a result of worsening of the renal affection he suffered from some time. In 2008 a park was named after him in his native district Garbatella.