Global Talent Directory

Comedians from Italy

The comedian directory of Italy — profiles, bios, photos, and social links for comedians from Italy.

136 comedians

Alessandro Haber

Alessandro Haber, born in Bologna on January 19, 1947, is an Italian actor, film director, and singer. His family background is diverse; his father was Romanian of Jewish origin, and his mother was Italian (Catholic). He spent much of his childhood in Israel before returning to Bologna at age nine, where he began pursuing his dream of acting. Haber made his film debut in 1967 with a role in Marco Bellocchio's La Cina è vicina , subsequently appearing in films directed by Taviani, Fellini, Bertolucci, and Damiani. Haber’s career encompasses both dramatic and comedic roles. He had a leading role in Pupi Avati's Christmas Present in 1983, which proved to be a turning point for him. He appeared in numerous theatrical productions including Orgia , Woyzeck , The Miser , Uncle Vanya , Dialogo , and A Servant of Two Masters . In 2006, he began touring theatres with Tango d'amore e di coltelli , based on a text by Jorge Luis Borges and featuring music by Ástor Piazzolla. He has also appeared in films such as Sotto il segno dello scorpione (1969), L'amante dell'Orsa Maggiore (1971), and Amici miei - Atto IIº (1982). Haber directed his only film, Scacco pazzo , in 2003, based on a play by Vittorio Franceschi. Throughout his career, Alessandro Haber has received significant recognition. He has been awarded three Nastro d'Argento awards, including one in 1994 for his performance in La vera vita di Antonio H , and a David di Donatello award. He also received the Premio Gassman in 2006 for his performance as Uncle Vanya and a Premio IDI. Haber has released three albums: Haberrante (1995), Qualcosa da dichiarare (1999), and Il sogno di un uomo (2003), with "La valigia dell'attore" written by Francesco De Gregori becoming his most successful single. Currently, he participates in the 'Divertiamoci a Teatro' revue, which is in its 27th edition at the Teatro Nuovo in Verona, and will perform VOLEVO ESSERE MARLON BRANDO from December 2nd to 5th, 2025. The revue explores themes of friendship, relationships, family ties, and personal vulnerabilities, and includes meetings with the actors followed by a toast.

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Christian De Sica

Christian De Sica is an Italian artist who plays the roles of actor, comedian, singer, entertainer, director, screenwriter and television host.

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Ciccio Ingrassia

Francesco Ingrassia, professionally known as Ciccio Ingrassia, was an Italian actor, comedian, director, screenwriter, television host, and singer. Born in Palermo, Sicily, on October 5, 1922, in the Il Capo neighborhood on via San Gregorio, he left school after two months to assist his parents, Pietro Ingrassia (a bricklayer) and Nunzia Motta (a homemaker). His early life involved various jobs including barber, carpenter, shoemaker, and sausage maker. From 1938, he began performing imitations of Totò in private ceremonies, demonstrating a propensity for humor from a young age. Ingrassia's career began in the 1950s, initially with the Trio Sgambetta in 1944 alongside Enzo Andronico and Mimì Ciampolo. He teamed up with Franco Franchi in the late 1950s, and their partnership solidified with Appuntamento ad Ischia (Appointment in Ischia) in 1960. The duo, known as Franco e Ciccio, quickly gained popularity, inheriting the legacy of avanspettacolo, variety shows, and Totò, becoming the preferred comedic duo of Southern Italy. They appeared in numerous films, with Franco e Ciccio starring in over 100 films between the 1960s and 1980s, releasing eight to ten films per year as a duo. Ingrassia was often considered the 'serious' face of the comedic team while Franchi played the clown. Ciccio Ingrassia’s work spanned various media. His career gained significant momentum in the 1960s, and he frequently appeared with Franco Franchi. Goldfoot & the Girl Bombs (1966), Don Chisciotte e Sancio Panza (1969), Due Gattoni a Nove Code... e Mezza ad Amsterdam (1971), I Due Figli di Trinita (1971), and Amarcord (1973), which received an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. He also directed films, including 'Billing Order'. Throughout his career, Ingrassia was nominated for several awards, receiving a Nastri d'argento nomination in 1974 for Amarcord , winning one in 1976 for Todo modo , and earning a Ciak d'oro nomination in 1988 for Domani accadrà . He won a David di Donatello in 1991 for Condominio . Ciccio Ingrassia died in Rome on April 28, 2003, at the age of 79, after suffering from respiratory illnesses for the past two years.

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Franco Franchi

Franco Franchi, born Francesco Benenato in Palermo, Sicily, on September 18, 1928, was an Italian actor, comedian, and singer. He died in Rome on December 9, 1992. Born the fourth of eighteen children in a poor family, he experienced a challenging early life, including periods of itinerant work after completing only three grades of school. These experiences included working as an icon maker, pastry assistant, and station porter, and briefly performing as a street crier playing the bass drum with comedic elements. Franchi began his career in the 1950s, joining Salvatore Polara's group 'Gli Striscianti' in 1948. He imitated famous figures such as Totò, Mussolini, and Hitler, demonstrating early comedic talent. He debuted at the Teatro Golden in Palermo in 1950. His career gained significant momentum in the 1960s after Domenico Modugno discovered him and brought him into the spotlight. He partnered with Ciccio Ingrassia, forming a comedic duo known as Franco e Ciccio, which became a defining aspect of his professional life. They began their careers performing in Sicilian theaters. The duo's humor, which they termed ‘comicità sottoproletaria’, focused on satirical imitations of films both from Italy and abroad; examples encompass War Italian Style (1966), featuring Buster Keaton, and Ultimo tango a Zagarol (1973), a humorous take on Last Tango in Paris. They achieved significant popularity, with their films accounting for roughly 10% of Italian cinema's earnings between 1961 and 1970. Franco Franchi won a Telegatto award for best variety show in 1984 for Bene, bravi, bis , and frequently appeared on television, including shows like Patatrac (1981-1982) and Canzonissima . Despite critical indifference, Franco Franchi was one of the most popular comedic actors in Italian cinema during the 1960s.

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Gino Bramieri

Gino Bramieri, born Luigi Bramieri on June 20, 1928, in Milan, Italy, was an Italian comedian and actor. His parents were Angelo Bramieri, a carpenter, and Giulia Botturi. He grew up in a working-class apartment building in Milan's Brera district. Bramieri’s artistic journey began in late 1943 with an amateur debut at a charity show in Rovellasca. He made his first theatrical appearance with spoken lines on September 27, 1944, at Milan's Teatro Augusteo. In 1949, his professional journey began as he became a member of Erminio Macario’s revue company, leading to his initial paid work with the Brabito trio at the Teatro Anteo. He quickly gained experience collaborating with prominent Italian comedians such as Totò, Peppino De Filippo, and Aldo Fabrizi. The nickname 'Il Re della barzelletta' ('the King of jokes' ) reflected his comedic approach, characterized by the narration of humorous anecdotes, frequently delivered rapidly and exhibiting surreal qualities. He earned a degree in accounting through evening classes. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Bramieri achieved significant success on television, appearing in shows like Tigre contro tigre , Il signore ha suonato? , and E noi qui . He hosted his own show, the G.B. Show , from 1982 to 1988. He also starred in popular Carosello commercials for Moplen, becoming known for the slogan 'e mÃ³ e mÃ³ Moplen'. He appeared in approximately thirty films and directed Ride bene... chi ride ultimo . Bramieri was nicknamed 'il Gino nazionale' and 'Re della barzelletta'. He compiled his jokes into a series of books, including 50 chili fa , inspired by his weight loss. Pancreatic cancer claimed Bramieri’s life on June 18, 1996, at the age of 67; he was subsequently laid to rest in Milan’s Cimitero Monumentale. Streets and avenues have been renamed in his honor in Milan and Rome.

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Mario Marenco

Mario Marenco, born September 9, 1933, in Foggia, was an Italian figure known for his diverse talents. He was a comedian, humorist, actor, television author, architect, and designer. After graduating with a degree in architecture from the University of Naples in 1957, he pursued further studies with research fellowships in Stockholm and Chicago. This time in Stockholm significantly influenced his design approach. Marenco's career encompassed both creative and technical fields, demonstrating a remarkable breadth of skills. Marenco’s professional life included establishing the Studio DEGW for architecture and design in Rome in 1960. He designed pieces like the Cynthia aluminum lamp in 1960 and the Marenco sofa in 1970. His architectural work also extended to collaborating with Italian car manufacturers on designing their exhibition stands. As a comedian and radio personality, he gained popularity through the radio program Alto gradimento , written with Giorgio Bracardi, which debuted in 1970. He created and portrayed memorable characters such as Colonel Buttiglione, Sgarambona, Riccardino, and Raimundo Navarro, often collaborating with Renzo Arbore and Gianni Boncompagni on various television programs. He appeared in programs like Odeon and L'uovo e il cubo , and later participated in shows like Sotto le stelle and Indietro tutta! . Throughout his career, Marenco continued to contribute to Italian entertainment. From 2006 to 2008, he performed with Nicola Vicidomini, and in 2013 starred in the theatrical production A Rotta di Collo . He was a regular on Meno Male che c'è Radio 2 from 2011 to 2014. Marenco sporadically worked in film, even auditioning for Federico Fellini’s La città delle donne . He authored humorous books for Rizzoli, including Lo scarafo nella brodazza . Mario Marenco died on March 17, 2019, at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, at the age of 85. His passing marked the end of a multifaceted career that spanned architecture, design, and entertainment.

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Massimo Lopez

Massimo Lopez was born on January 11, 1952, in Ascoli Piceno. His parents, Aldo Lopez and Gigliola Tagliaferri, were originally from Naples but were temporarily working in Ascoli Piceno at the time of his birth. The family relocated to Rome when he was eleven. He has four siblings, including Giorgio, Marcello, Stefano, and Alessandro, who serves as his agent and producer. Gabriele and Andrea Lopez, who are voice actors, have Massimo Lopez as their uncle. Lopez began his career on stage in 1975, making his debut in 'Il fu Mattia Pascal' alongside Giorgio Albertazzi and Lina Volonghi. He trained at the Teatro Stabile di Genova School. In 1980, he started a voice acting career, initially voicing Robin Williams in the film Popeye . A significant turning point arrived in 1982 when he co-founded the comedy group Il Trio with Anna Marchesini and Tullio Solenghi. The trio first gained recognition with the radio show Hellzapoppin on Rai Radio 2. They subsequently appeared on television programs such as Domenica in and Fantastico throughout the mid-1980s, earning the 'Revelation of the Year' award in 1985/1986 for their work on Domenica in . The Trio participated in three editions of the Sanremo Music Festival between 1986 and 1989. Il Trio achieved considerable success in 1990 with a parody of Alessandro Manzoni's The Betrothed , which was broadcast in five episodes on Rai 1. The group dissolved in 1994, allowing its members to pursue solo endeavors. Lopez’s work during this period includes appearances on The Bold and the Beautiful in 1998 and co-hosting Striscia la notizia with Tullio Solenghi in 2005. From 2005 to 2011, he performed the one-man show Ciao Frankie , directed by his brother Giorgio Lopez. Lopez has dubbed voices for actors such as Robin Williams, Mike Myers, and Stephen Fry. He has been the Italian voice of Homer Simpson since 2013, and also voiced Stephen Fry in The Hobbit (2013). In September 2020, he published his autobiography, 'Stai attento alle nuvole'. He participated in 'Il cantante mascherato' in 2023, finishing third. Currently, Massimo Lopez collaborates with Tullio Solenghi in a new show called “Massimo Lopez e Tullio Solenghi Show,” directed by Giorgio Cappozzo and featuring musical accompaniment from Gabriele Comeglio’s Jazz Company, produced by International Music and Arts. The show, titled “Dove eravamo rimasti,” incorporates elements of 'avanspettacolo' and aims to entertain and evoke emotion, structured as a conversation among friends.

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Maurizio Crozza

Maurizio Crozza is an Italian stand-up comedian, actor, and television presenter. Born in Genoa on December 5, 1959, he grew up in the Borgoratti neighborhood and is the oldest of four siblings. He attended acting school at the Teatro Stabile di Genova, graduating in 1983. Early in his career, Crozza worked with classic theater directors like Egisto Marcucci, William Gaskill, and Marco Sciaccaluga. In 1983, he formed the Genovese cabaret group Broncoviz, which included Ugo Dighero, Marcello Cesena, Mauro Pirovano, and Carla Signoris. Crozza's career includes appearances in various television programs, such as Avanzi , Tunnel , and Hollywood Party with Broncoviz. He gained recognition as an impersonator on the Mediaset program Mai dire Gol from 1996 to 2000, collaborating with the Gialappa's Band. His filmography includes roles in L'angelo con la pistola (1992), Ci sarà un giorno (Il giovane Pertini) (1993, released in 2010), Peggio di così si muore (1995), and Tutti gli uomini del deficiente (1999). He also appeared on Quelli che... il Calcio from 2001 to 2004, La grande notte del lunedì sera , Stasera pago io... in euro (2002), and performed at the Sanremo Music Festival in 2003. Crozza hosted his own show on La7, Crozza Italia , starting in April 2006. He also covered Ballarò from 2007 to 2014 and hosted Crozza Alive beginning in June 2010, as well as Italialand from May 2011. He appeared on Che tempo che fa in May 2011, marking his only known television interview. He presented Crozza nel Paese delle Meraviglie from 2012 to 2013 and participated in the Sanremo Music Festivals of 2013 and 2014. In October 2013, Urbano Cairo renewed Crozza's contract with La7 for three years. He moved to Nove television channel starting January 1, 2017, and appeared at the 2017 Sanremo Music Festival impersonating Antonio Razzi. His current show is Fratelli di Crozza , which premiered on Nove in March 2017. Italian commentators have both praised and criticized his work; he faced criticism in 2006 for satire of Pope Benedict XVI and in 2013 for satire of Silvio Berlusconi at the Sanremo Music Festival.

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Maurizio Mattioli

Maurizio Mattioli is an Italian actor, comedian, and voice actor. He began his career in 1973 with an appearance on the RAI variety show Dove sta Zazà . Throughout his career, he has appeared in approximately 90 films, starting with minor roles in the 1970s and evolving into a recognized character actor in Italian cinema. He often portrays a character of a rough, uncouth Roman from the outskirts, and more recently, characters of newly rich 'cafooni'. Mattioli is still alive. Mattioli’s comedic journey includes significant involvement with stage productions. He was a member of the stage company ‘Il Bagaglino’ from the 1970s to the early 1990s. He appeared in the play Un paio d'ali in 1997 and Rugantino in 1998, participating in three consecutive editions of Rugantino from 1998. His television work includes playing Alberto Dominici in the four seasons of Un ciclone in famiglia , and portraying Augusto Cesaroni in the first, fifth, and sixth seasons of I Cesaroni . He also starred in the Italian sitcom 'Stazione di servizio', which premiered February 6, 1989, and collaborated with Paolo Bonolis on comedic sketches, including one from the show ‘Beato tra le donne’ in 1994. A sequence featuring Mattioli and Bonolis was broadcast on TecheTecheTè on July 20, 2013. Beyond acting, Mattioli has a prolific voice acting career. He has voiced numerous characters in animated cartoons and films, including roles in Z la formica and La gang del bosco , and provided voice work for shows like I segreti di Twin Peaks (1990-1991) and Sister Act - Una svitata in abito da suora (1992). He also voiced Dog Chapman in the series Dog the Bounty Hunter from 2007. Mattioli received Nastro d'Argento nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 2003 for Sunday Lunch and again in 2011 for The Immature . In 2010, he released a CD titled Un po' Roma e un po' no , featuring 13 songs. Recent appearances include the film A mano disarmata in 2019 and the docufilm Alberto Sordi secret in 2024. In May 2024, he participated in an event honoring Franco Califano. He recently underwent surgery to resolve a serious back problem, sharing updates via social media videos and expressing gratitude for support from friends and colleagues.

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Maurizio Milani

Italian entertainer Maurizio Milani, whose birth name is Carlo Barcellesi, was born on May 20, 1961. He hails from Codogno, a town in the province of Lodi, where his family resides. From the Istituto Tecnico Agrario Statale Tosi in Codogno, he received both a degree in agriculture and a diploma as an agricultural surveyor. Before pursuing comedy, he briefly worked as a representative for public entities at age 22. Milani began his comedy career at Zelig Cabaret in Milan in 1987, and started appearing on television in the mid-1980s. His comedic persona portrays a cynical man who has held many jobs and is often dishonest, characterized by irony. He gained recognition for this character starting in 1992 on the TV show Su la testa! , hosted by Paolo Rossi. Throughout his career, he has performed in numerous theatrical shows including Un uomo da badile (1992), Piacenza (1993) and Animale da fosso (1995). He was a regular guest on the Rai 3 show 'Che tempo che fa' from 2003 to 2008. Maurizio Milani’s work extends beyond stand-up; he is also a published author and journalist. Among his published satirical works are the books *Un uomo da badile* (1996) and *Del perché l'economia africana non è mai decollata* (2007). The year 2003 saw the release of *La donna quando non capisce s'innamora*, and his most recent publication, *Party all'obitorio*, appeared in 2024. He has received recognition for his work, winning the Satira Politica Forte Dei Marmi award in 2005. As of 2024, he continues to perform and write, appearing as a recurring guest on Propaganda Live and maintaining a presence in Italian media.

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Mauro Pirovano

Mauro Pirovano is an Italian actor, comedian, and theatrical performer born in Genoa on April 2, 1956. As of the current date, he is 70 years old, with an Aries zodiac sign. He began his career after graduating from the Teatro Stabile di Genova school in 1980. He has spent a significant portion of his professional life engaged in theatrical work, initially at the Stabile, then at Emilia Romagna Teatro (Ater), and subsequently at the Teatro dell'Archivolto. In 1986, Pirovano started collaborating with Maurizio Crozza, Ugo Dighero, Marcello Cesena, and Carla Signoris. Together, they founded the comedy group Broncoviz in 1989, specializing in satire and parody. Broncoviz gained wider recognition through appearances in television shows such as Avanzi , Tunnel , and Hollywood Party , and also featured in the film Peggio di così si muore . His acting credits extend to roles in numerous television series, including Don Matteo , where he played the bishop's secretary, and Un medico in famiglia from 1998 to 2000 as Dr. Giorgi. He has also appeared in Compagni di scuola , Un posto tranquillo , Il mammo , Arrivano i Rossi , and I Gambardella , and 7 vite . Pirovano's work encompasses a diverse range of projects. He participated in Maurizio Crozza’s Italialand in 2011, contributing to a sketch inspired by The Godfather . Since the 2000s, he has directed and produced theatrical performances featuring classic plays in Genovese dialect, including Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet . He received the Premio Marzari in 2004 and the Premio Govi in 2008, with the latter recognizing his comedic monologues and ability to blend humor with observations of history and contemporary society. He has also collaborated artistically with the musical group “I Liguriani” from 2006, participating in shows like “La Guerra di Giromino” and directing productions such as “Vari(e)azioni Paganiniane” and “La Taverna dell’Onesto Peccato.” Currently, he is performing in Pignasecca e Pignaverde in March 2024, playing the role of Alessandro, also known as Pignaverde, a role he emphasizes requires attention to cadence rather than solely relying on the Genovese dialect.

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Max Tortora

Massimiliano Tortora, known professionally as Max, is an Italian actor, comedian, and impressionist. Born in Rome on January 21, 1963, he is currently 63 years old and possesses the zodiac sign of Aquarius. He is recognized as one of the most appreciated Italian television impersonators. Tortora began his career on stage in the 1980s, initially working for gossip magazines like TeleFax, Dolce Casa, and Scopritalia. Before pursuing a career in entertainment, he graduated in architecture. His television debut occurred in 2001 with Superconvenscion , followed by its subsequent edition Convenscion a colori . He subsequently appeared in various shows including Stracult , Cocktail d’amore , and Bulldozer (2004-2005), where he popularized the phrase 'dove vivevate?' During this period, he also collaborated with Paolo Belli on Sognando Las Vegas and Roberto Andreucci in Bulldozer Remix . He is well known for his impressions of Alberto Sordi, Luciano Rispoli, Adriano Celentano, Franco Califano, and Michele Santoro. Max Tortora gained significant recognition for his role as the mechanic Ezio in the television series I Cesaroni from 2006 to 2012. He also played the co-pilot Max in Piloti , and appeared in several cinepanettoni films directed by Carlo Vanzina. In 2018, he starred as Giovanni Cucchi, Stefano Cucchi's father, in On My Skin , which was presented at the 75th Venice Film Festival. He has also appeared in films such as Bad Tales (2020), Loro (2018), and Si vive una volta sola (2020). Currently, he portrays Grandpa Tom, a boisterous character, in The War of the Nonni , a comedy for the whole family set in and around Rome. He is scheduled to join the cast of the fifteenth season of Don Matteo in 2026, and will also appear in the miniseries Doppio gioco (2025) alongside Alessandra Mastronardi.

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