Roberto Benigni

Acting · Born 1952-10-27 in Manciano La Misericordia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo, Italy

Biography

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. 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.

Filmography

• Night on Earth as Cab Driver Rome
• Life Is Beautiful as Guido
• Down by Law as Roberto
• The Monster as Loris
• Johnny Stecchino as Dante Ceccarini / Johnny Stecchino
• Nothing Left to Do But Cry as Saverio
• Coffee and Cigarettes as Roberto (segment "Strange to Meet You")
• Pinocchio as Pinocchio
• The Tiger and the Snow as Attilio de Giovanni
• Womanlight as Bartender at Clapsy's

TV

• The Rosie O'Donnell Show as Self
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
• Ulisse - The pleasure of discovery as Self
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
• The Oscars as Self
• The ten commandments as Himself
• Wetten, dass..? as Self
• The Graham Norton Show as Self
• Roberto Benigni - Tutto Dante as Roberto Benigni
• Sanremo Music Festival as Self - Special Guest