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Roberto Benigni

Actor

Roberto Benigni

Born October 27, 1952 in Manciano La Misericordia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo, Italy35 films

Roberto Benigni, (born October 27, 1952, Misericordia, Arezzo, Italy), Italian actor and director known for his comedic work, most notably La vita è bella (1997; Life Is Beautiful), for which he won an Academy Award for best actor.

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Benigni was the son of a poor tenant farmer who had worked in a German forced-labour camp during World War II. The elder Benigni used humour in retelling his experiences, which helped shape his son’s comedic skill. Benigni briefly attended a Jesuit seminary in Florence, and, after a stint as a magician’s assistant, he joined an underground theatre group in the late 1960s.

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The best way into Roberto Benigni's work
Life Is Beautiful posterFirst watchLife Is Beautiful19978.4as GuidoA touching story of an Italian book seller of Jewish ancestry who lives in his own little fairy tale. His creative and happy life would come to an abrupt halt when his entire family is…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Nothing Left to Do But Cry poster7.7Nothing Left to Do But Cry1984Night on Earth poster7.5Night on Earth1991Johnny Stecchino poster7.3Johnny Stecchino1991Down by Law poster7.4Down by Law1986Pinocchio poster6.6Pinocchio2019Coffee and Cigarettes poster6.9Coffee and Cigarettes2004Asterix and Obelix Take On Caesar poster6.0Asterix and Obelix Take On Caesar1999The Monster poster6.9The Monster1994

Filmography

35 films as actor
  1. TBARoberto Benigni - Inno Di Mameli
  2. 2025The Singing PriestDr. John
  3. 2025The Dream
  4. 2019PinocchioMister Geppetto
  5. 2012To Rome with LoveLeopoldo
  6. 2010La commedia di Amos PoeNarrator (voice)
  7. 2005The Tiger and the SnowAttilio de Giovanni
  8. 2004Coffee and CigarettesRoberto (segment "Strange to Meet You")
  9. 2002PinocchioPinocchio
  10. 1999Asterix and Obelix Take On CaesarLucius Detritus
  11. 1997Life Is BeautifulGuido
  12. 1996TuttoBenigni 95/96Roberto Benigni
  13. 1994The MonsterLoris
  14. 1993Peter and the Wolf: A Prokofiev FantasyNarrator (voice, Italian version)
  15. 1993Son of the Pink PantherGendarme Jacques Gambrelli
  16. 1991Night on EarthCab Driver Rome
  17. 1991Johnny StecchinoDante Ceccarini / Johnny Stecchino
  18. 1990The Voice of the MoonIvo Salvini
  19. 1988The Little DevilGiuditta
  20. 1987Coffee and CigarettesRoberto
  21. 1986Down by LawRoberto
  22. 1984Nothing Left to Do But CrySaverio
  23. 1983FF.SS. cioè '...che mi hai portato a fare sopra a Posillipo se non mi vuoi più bene?'Lo sceicco Beige
  24. 1983You Upset MeBenigno
  25. 1981The SoupIl maestro
  26. 1979The Days Are NumberedIl professore
  27. 1979Seeking AsylumRoberto
  28. 1979WomanlightBartender at Clapsy's
  29. 1979LunaUpholsterer
  30. 1979Tigers in LipstickThe Principal
  31. 1978Ladra di sogni
  32. 1978Il parolaioCliente
  33. 1978Vita da Cioni
  34. 1978Il comizio
  35. 1977Berlinguer: I Love YouMario Cioni