In 1976, Franco Merli appeared on-screen as Fernando, the son of Nino Manfredi, who earns his money as a transvestite prostitute in "Down and Dirty". This social satire by Italian director Ettore Scola was also (but for a small part in the 1979 film "Il malato immaginario") Franco Merli's swan song as an actor. It is probable that he secured the role of Fernando thanks to his connection with Pasolini, since the director was not only a friend of Scola but was to write a foreword to the film. However Pasolini was murdered before this came to pass.