Roberto Benigni: Biography
Film director, actor, writer, and producer, born in Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy. At the age of 10 he became a member of a troubadour act in Tuscany, improvising songs and poetry. He then moved to Rome and started working with various experimental theatre groups.
Arguably the most popular Italian screen comedian since the immortal Toto, Roberto Benigni mastered the exacting art of improvisational humor early. Inspired by Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Peter Sellers, Benigni first gained fame in his native country with his own must-see TV series, sustaining his vast following with several hilarious movie appearances. One of his best-known monologues, "Cioni Mario," was expanded into the feature film I Love You Berlinger/Berlinguer Ti Voglio Bene (1977), after which Benigni went on to star in a number of popular films in Italy
Benigni married actress Nicoletta Braschi in 1991, and she appeared with him in a number of films, including Johnny Stecchino and Life Is Beautiful.
Roberto Benigni: Career
His film debut as an actor came with Berlinger ti Volgio Bene (1976, Have You Berliner). Later films as an actor include Il Minestrone (1980), La Voce Della Luna (1989, The Voice of the Moon), The Son of the Pink Panther (1993), and Astérix et Obélix Contre César (1999, Asterix and Obelix Take on Caesar). In 1982 he made his directorial debut with Tu Mi Turbi (You Disturb Me), a television monologue which criticized Pope John Paul II and brought Benigni widespread fame. Later films as a director include Il Piccolo Diavolo (1988, The Little Devil) and Mostro (1994, Monster). In 1997 he made his most successful film to date, La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful, Oscars for Best Actor and Best Foreign Language Film), which he wrote, starred in, and directed. He is one of Italy's most popular comics.
Roberto Benigni: Films
The Tiger and the Snow (2005), Coffee and Cigarettes (2004), Fellini: I'm A Born Liar (2003), Pinocchio (2002), Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar (1999), Life Is Beautiful (1998), The Monster (1996), The Monster (1996), Son of the Pink Panther (1993), Johnny Stecchino (1992), Night on Earth (1992), Voice of the Moon (1989), Down By Law (1986), The Little Devil (1988), Seeking Asylum (1979) , Nothing Left to Do But Cry (1985), Personal Effects (1983), You Upset Me (1983), Tutto Benigni (1983), Anche i ladri hanno un santo (1981), Minestrone, Il (1981), In the Pope's Eye (1981), Seeking Asylum (1979), Luna (1979), Womanlight (1979), The Days Are Numbered (1979), Tigers in Lipstick (1979), Berlinguer ti voglio bene (1977)
