Person file · Acting
Roberto Benigni
Born 1952-10-27Manciano La Misericordia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo, Italy
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.
Screen work
Movies & roles
Pietro - A Man in the WindRoleThe Singing PriestDr. JohnThe DreamRoleSanremo 2023. Tra Palco e realtàSelfFrancesco - The CanticleSelf - HostI magnifici 4 della risataRoleWe Are CinemaSelf (archive footage)Alida Valli: In Her Own WordsSelfPaolo Conte, Come Away with MeSelfPinocchioMister GeppettoCecchi Gori - Una famiglia italianaSelfUntouchableSelf (archive footage)Once Upon a Time: Tonino Delli Colli, CinematographerHimselfEvviva GiuseppeHimselfLa voce di FantozziSé stessoMarco Ferreri: Dangerous But NecessarySelfCinque mondiSelfThe Last LaughSelf (archive footage) (uncredited)Red Chairs - Parma and the CinemaSelf (archive footage)The Most Beautiful in the WorldHimselfOpinioni di un clown - Roberto BenigniRoleClose UpSelf (archive footage)To Rome with LoveLeopoldoRevisiting Life is Beautiful 15 Years AfterSelf - (archival audio)