There are many famous Italian comedians who have made people laugh with their art and humor.
Italian comedy has a long and rich tradition marked by satire, parody, and humor. It often uses regional dialects to explore social and political issues, providing a unique reflection of Italian culture. Notably, it comments on perceived corruption and inefficiency in the government and society.
Italian comedy is filled with irony, cleverness, and charm. Apart from being funny, it helps us understand and appreciate the complexities of Italian society.
In the world of comedy, many talented Italian comedians have become famous for making people laugh and showcasing their exceptional skills. Their work has become an essential part of Italy’s culture, making sure that Italian comedy continues to be a lasting and evolving tradition.
Let’s explore the most famous Italian comedians that have entertained audiences with their gift of humor.
10 Most Famous Italian Comedians
In no particular order, here are 10 of the most famous and perhaps the greatest Italians comedians.
1. Totò
Totò, born in 1898 in Naples and passing away in 1967, is revered as one of Italy’s greatest comedians. He was a master of slapstick, wordplay, and irony, whose influence extends across generations of comedians.
Renowned for his expressive face and unique comedic style, blending satire, surrealism, and social commentary, Totò starred in over 100 films, many now considered classics of Italian cinema.
Born Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Angelo Ducas Comneno Porfirogenito Gagliardi De Curtis di Bisanzio, Totò got his name from his adoptive father, a nobleman with Byzantine lineage. Despite being born out of wedlock to a Sicilian mother and a Neapolitan marquis, Totò gained official recognition from his father in 1937, at the age of 39.
A World War I veteran with a slight limp from a leg injury, he loved chess and even challenged world champion Mikhail Botvinnik. Besides his philanthropy, he donated most earnings to charity and backed the Italian Resistance in World War II.
He shared a close bond with Pope John XXIII, who dubbed him “the most human of all comedians.” His final resting place is in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, marked by a tombstone inscribed with the playful phrase: “Curtis sum, hoc est, totus tuus” (“I am Curtis, that is, all yours”), a clever play on his stage name and a reference to the Marian motto “Totus tuus.”
2. Roberto Benigni
Roberto Benigni was born on October 27, 1952 in Castiglion Fiorentino, Tuscany. He is a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the highest ranking honor in Italy.
During the 1970s, Roberto Benigni started in theater and wrote for the controversial satire Onda Libera. In 1983, he directed You Disturb Me, starring his wife Nicoletta Braschi. Known for his distinctive comedy fusing slapstick, social satire, and political commentary, Benigni tackles themes such as sexuality, religion, and power.
Considered a key figure in commedia all’italiana, a genre depicting post-World War II Italian society, Benigni draws inspiration from directors like Mario Monicelli and actors such as Totò. He also integrates elements of commedia dell’arte, a 16th-century improvised theatre form with stock characters and physical comedy.
Benigni achieved international fame for his Oscar-winning role in Life Is Beautiful (1997), a Holocaust-themed comedy-drama that he wrote and directed. He has also starred in films like The Tiger and the Snow (2005), Pinocchio (2002), and Down by Law (1986), along with various TV specials and documentaries.
3. Massimo Troisi
Massimo Troisi was born on February 19, 1953 near Naples. He was a prominent Italian actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter. Starting as a cabaret performer, he rose to TV stardom in the late 1970s with shows like “Non Stop.”
Massimo Troisi, a notable figure in Italian cinema and comedy, earned the moniker “the comedian of feelings” for his easy blend of humor and emotion. Influenced by Totò, Eduardo De Filippo, Buster Keaton, and Woody Allen, Troisi left a lasting impact.
Troisi is best known internationally for his last film, Il Postino (1994), in which he played a simple mailman who befriends the exiled poet Pablo Neruda. The film was released shortly after Troisi’s death from a heart attack at the age of 41. He had suffered from a serious heart condition since childhood and had postponed surgery to finish the film.
Posthumously, Massimo Troisi received two Oscar nominations for his performance and screenplay.
4. Paolo Villaggio
Paolo Villaggio, born on December 30, 1932, in Genoa, was a famous Italian actor, comedian, writer, and director. He had a twin brother, Piero, who served as a professor at the University of Pisa.
Known for creating memorable characters like Professor Kranz and Ugo Fantozzi, Villaggio’s works earned him the Gogol Prize in Moscow, and he also wrote songs for singer Fabrizio De André.
In the 1950s, Villaggio began in comedy troupes, transitioned to TV in the 1960s, introducing his characters and experimenting with humor. His film debut in 1971 led to fame with the Fantozzi series. He earned accolades, including the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival in 1992 and the Pardo d’onore at Locarno Film Festival in 2000.
Politically active, Paolo Villaggio endorsed parties like Proletarian Democracy and Pannella List. He was influenced by comedic legends such as Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel, and Oliver Hardy.
Villaggio passed away in 2017 at 84 due to complications from diabetes.
5. Checco Zalone
Italian comedy star Checco Zalone, born Luca Pasquale Medici on June 3, 1977, near Bari, gained fame for box office hits like Quo Vado? and Tolo Tolo, which humorously tackle stereotypes and social issues.
Despite a law degree from the University of Bari, he never practiced. His stage name, “Checco Zalone,” is derived from a local expression meaning “what a boor!” in Italianized Barese dialect.
Starting as a stand-up comedian on shows like Zelig, Checco Zalone gained fame for sketches on Italian society and politics. Besides his success in comedy, Zalone is a diverse musician with eclectic styles, from pop to folk to rap, contributing to the soundtracks of his movies.
Zalone is married to a former dancer and choreographer with whom he has two children. He actively supports research on Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a rare genetic disease affecting his nephew, and served as the Italian spokesperson for a fundraising campaign in 2016.
6. Alberto Sordi
A cinematic legend, Alberto Sordi was born in Rome on June 15, 1920 and became famous for comedic roles reflecting Italy’s post-World War II social changes.
Regarded as one of the greatest in Italian comedy, he portrayed the Roman character in films like An American in Rome (1954) and The Marquis of Grillo (1981). Initially a voice actor and dubber, he lent his voice to Oliver Hardy in over 40 films from 1939 to 1951.
He directed and co-wrote 20 films, primarily comedies with social or political satire. He also composed and sang humorous songs.
He received various awards and honors, such as the Golden Globe, the David di Donatello, the Nastro d’Argento, the Legion of Honour, and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for The Marquis of Grillo.
Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001, Sordi passed away from pneumonia and bronchitis at his Rome residence in 2003. Over a million people gathered to bid farewell at his funeral by the city’s Basilica of St. John Lateran.
7. Franco & Ciccio
Famous Italian comedy duo, Franco Franchi (born Francesco Benenato) and Francesco “Ciccio” Ingrassia, featured in 112 films, primarily during the 1960s and 1970s. They also worked in theater, television, radio, and music, gaining fame for their slapstick humor and parodies of contemporary popular movies.
Both were born in Palermo, Sicily, and met in 1954 when they joined a theater troupe. They had an enduring friendship and considered themselves as brothers. Singer and actor Domenico Modugno launched the duo in his film Appuntamento a Ischia in 1960.
Franco & Ciccio often improvised on the set, sometimes not even using a script. They changed their roles based on what the director told them. Their movies were so popular that their profits made up 10% of Italy’s annual revenue in the 1960s.
The duo had a brief separation in 1973, when Franco wanted to pursue a solo career, but they reunited in 1974 and remained active until Franco’s death in 1992.
8. Aldo, Giovanni & Giacomo
Aldo Baglio, Giovanni Storti, and Giacomo Poretti, a successful Italian trio of comedians known simply as “Aldo, Giovanni & Giacomo,” are acclaimed for their humor in cinema, theatre, and television.
They met in 1985 but officially became Aldo, Giovanni & Giacomo in 1991. Collaborating with Marina Massironi, Poretti’s wife at the time, they excelled in theater and featured her in some films. Their comedy often revolves around Milanese themes and Northern-Southern Italian stereotypes.
Aldo, Giovanni & Giacomo made 12 highly successful films from Three Men and a Leg (1996) to The Big Day (2021), ranking among Italy’s top-grossing movies. Their extensive portfolio includes TV shows like “The Circus of Paolo Rossi,” “The Shorts,” and “The Best of Aldo, Giovanni & Giacomo,” earning them accolades such as the David di Donatello, Nastro d’Argento, Telegatto, and Golden Ticket awards.
10. Luciana Littizzetto
Luciana Littizzetto, nicknamed “Lucianina” (Little Luciana) by her fans, was born October 29, 1964, in Turin. She is a renowned Italian comedy actress, humor writer, and TV personality – thanks to her witty and sarcastic commentary on current events and celebrities.
Littizzetto holds degrees in piano from the Turin Conservatory and literature from the University of Turin. She began as a teacher and voice actress but gained fame for stand-up comedy and cabaret. She is recognized for irreverent humor, mocking current events, pop culture, politics, and gender differences with TV and film roles.
Luciana Littizzetto has penned 14 humor books, some playfully using names like Walter and Iolanda for male and female parts. She is also an advocate for women’s rights and has called for a stricter policy against sexual harassment in Italy.
Littizzetto was in a relationship with musician Davide Graziano from 1997 to 2018, and has two adopted children.