Global Talent Directory

Comedians Directory

Browse comedian profiles, biographical summaries, country of origin, and official links.

1588 comedians

Alessandro Bergonzoni

Alessandro Bergonzoni, born in Bologna, Italy, on July 21, 1958, is a multifaceted artist. He identifies as a comedian, actor, playwright, writer, humorist, cabaret artist, visual artist, and lyricist. His early career involved collaboration with Claudio Calabrò, and he attended the Accademia Antoniana before earning a law degree. Bergonzoni debuted in 1982 with the theatrical show 'Scemeggiata'. He is considered a leading figure in Italian experimental comedy and theatre, characterized by surrealism and linguistic play. His stage works frequently explore surreal and paradoxical situations, often incorporating absurdity and rejecting reality as an artistic reference. Notable productions include 'Madornale 33', 'Trascendi e sali', and 'Urge'. He has written and performed over fifteen theatrical productions, directing and designing the scenes himself. He gained national recognition after appearing on the Maurizio Costanzo Show in 1985 and later participated in 'Il bello della diretta' in 1986. Beyond theatre, Bergonzoni’s work extends to literature and visual arts. He has published several books, including 'Le balene restino sedute', which earned him the Golden Palm of Bordighera in 1989, and 'Aprimi cielo'. He has also appeared in films such as 'Pinocchio' (2002) and 'Quijote' (2006). Since 2005, he has presented installations and exhibitions, exploring concepts like 'Crealtà.' He contributes regularly to Italian newspapers and magazines like La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, writing columns such as ‘il s’abato di Alessandro Bergonzoni’ and 'Aprimi Cielo'. Bergonzoni's work often addresses social issues, including illness, coma, prison life, and peace. He has received numerous awards, including the Premio della Critica (2004-2005), the Saint Vincent award, the Gradara Ludens award (1995), and the Premio Nazionale Cultura della Pace in 2022. He continues to perform, with upcoming shows scheduled at venues like the Teatro Romano in Verona (2026) and the Teatro Duse in Bologna for the Giornata dei Risvegli (Day of Awakenings) to support coma research.

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Alighiero Noschese

Alighiero Noschese was a well-known imitator, actor, comedian and Italian showman, considered the most prolific and loved in the history of Italian television.

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Andrea Poltronieri

Andrea Armchairs, also known as PoltroSax or Poltro, is an Italian musician and comedian born in Ferrara on November 5, 1965. He began his career playing saxophone in the band Libagions in 1986. His artistic background includes a diploma from the Dosso Dossi Institute in Ferrara’s Applied Art program and a degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna. These formal studies contribute to his unique approach, blending visual arts with music and comedy. He has been performing for over thirty years, starting around 1993, and continues to entertain audiences across Italy and internationally, including in New York City. Armchairs’ performances are characterized as 'comic music shows,' combining cabaret and music in an engaging way. His style incorporates the Ferrarese dialect into his songs, often parodying cartoon theme songs or reworking lyrics for comedic effect. He frequently performs as the character ‘Nives,’ an 83-year-old woman from Molinella, Bologna, and also portrays a superhero named Umàz’, a parody of Spider-Man, to enhance the humor. People sometimes call him a 'One-Man-Band' because he does many things, even though he often works with other performers. He worked with groups like Stadio and musicians such as Sergio Sgrilli, and together they made the theatrical show ‘Sgrillaus’ starting in 2003. In 1990, Libagions released their first national single, benefiting from advice and experience provided by Pino Daniele during its recording. Throughout his career, Andrea Poltronieri has participated in numerous events such as Rock Circus and Ferrara Music Park. He has toured Italy with Cristina D’Avena and Gem Boy, and in 2011, he joined Stadio as a saxophonist for their 'Diamanti e caramelle' tour. In 2007, he achieved second place in a national cabaret competition. While the 'Accademia del PoltroSax Club' in Frankfurt describes his versatility as a key characteristic, and the 'Scuola di Fenomenologia di Chicago' (or ‘Scuola dell’obbligo della Nives’) highlights his ability to make noises as defining, Andrea Poltronieri continues to perform in theaters, television studios, public squares, and various venues, demonstrating his enduring presence in the Italian entertainment scene.

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Andrea Pucci

Andrea Pucci, also known as Pucci, is an Italian comedian, cabaret artist, actor, and television host. Born Andrea Baccan in Milan on August 23, 1965, he grew up in a family with Venetian origins. His parents are Francesco Pietro Baccan from Stanghella (PD) and Rosa di Pressana (VR), and he has a sister named Manuela. He currently resides in Milan. Before establishing himself as a comedian, Pucci held various jobs, including working at his family's tobacco shop and later running a jewelry store. During the summers, he worked as an animator in Valtur tourist villages, which contributed to his observational skills. In 1994, journalist Tiberio Timperi noticed him and introduced him to a television show author. He received the nickname 'Pucci' from a character in Pippo Franco’s jokes. Pucci began his career by winning the television show “La sai l'ultima” in 1993/1994 on Canale 5, and subsequently became a regular guest from 1994/1995 to 1999/2000. Pucci’s comedy focuses on social and costume satire, avoiding political topics. He is known for his monologues with the phrase «È cambiato... tutto!» (Everything has changed!). His style involves observing everyday life and improvising grotesque situations with the audience. From 2005 to 2016, he was part of the cast of the comedy show Colorado on Italia 1, and continued to participate in 'Colorado Cafè' from 2005/2006 onwards. He has also appeared in various other television programs, including Maurizio Costanzo Show , Quelli che il calcio (as a special correspondent from 2003 to 2004), and Big Show (from 2017). In 2010, he co-authored the book Ho sposato l’esorcista with Raffaele Skizzo Bruscella. He is a passionate Inter fan and frequently discusses football in his monologues, even appearing on Quelli che il calcio to commentate on Inter matches. Throughout his career, Pucci has received several awards and participated in numerous shows including "Sotto a chi tocca," “Scherzi a parte,” “Passaparola,” “Lista d’attesa,” “Lo zoo di 105,” Radio Kiss Kiss, “Shake,” “Buon Domenica,” and “All Together Now.” He also appeared in the film L'allenatore nel Pallone 2 in 2007. In 2021, he served as a judge on Star in the Star , and in 2022, he participated as a contestant on Stasera tutto è possibile . He won the best artist award at the Cirella Ruderi festival in August 2023. He is returning to theater in the 2024/2025 season with the show 30 anni e non sentirli . Recently, he was slated to co-host a portion of the 76th edition of Sanremo in 2026 but declined due to controversy and threats. Pucci has faced numerous controversies regarding themes addressed in his shows and social media posts, including accusations of misogyny, homophobia, racism, and anti-southern sentiment. He has expressed support for right-wing political views and the Meloni government, and has been accused of misogyny towards Elly Schlein. His shows typically last between 90 minutes and two hours, and Vivid Seats sells tickets to his performances. Despite these controversies, Pucci remains a popular comedian considered one of the top acts in the 2026 comedy scene.

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Angelo Duro

Angelo Duro, born in Palermo in 1982, is an Italian stand-up comedian, actor, and television personality. He began his career in 2010 when Davide Parenti, the showrunner of Le Iene , discovered him during a stand-up performance and hired him for the program. While working as a correspondent on Le Iene , Duro featured in segments such as Nuccio Vip and Il cantante senza pubblico . He also made a brief appearance in an episode of the TV series Squadra antimafia - Palermo oggi in 2011. Duro's comedy style is characterized by extreme political incorrectness and constant provocation, often described as 'a champion of cynicism.' His language is frequently considered scurrilous. He made his acting debut in the 2016 film Tiramisù directed by Fabio De Luigi. In 2017, he launched his one-man show Perché mi stai guardando? , which quickly gained popularity with several sold-out performances and positive reviews. A performance of this show at the Teatro Manzoni in Milan was later broadcast on Italia 1. Duro has expressed opinions on a range of topics including gender, homosexuality, illiteracy, and criticism; he also states he is proud not to have been born female and prefers a society with more gay people. Beyond live performances, Duro has expanded his creative output. He released his first book, Il piano B, in 2018. It was described as his 'worst' side. In February 2023, he appeared at the 73rd Sanremo Music Festival, generating controversy. Duro is currently preparing for his fourth tour, beginning February 19, 2025, in Bari, Puglia, at the Teatro Team, with his newest show titled "HO TRE BELLE NOTIZIE." This follows his previous tour, “Sono cambiato,” which included over 120 sold-out performances both in Italy and abroad. Duro’s company, Da Solo Produzioni, produces his tours. He is currently in a relationship with actress Marilù Pipitone and identifies as an atheist. His second book, Come diventare stronzi ed essere amati , is scheduled for release in 2025.

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Armando Falconi

Armando Falconi (1871–1954) was an Italian actor who performed on both stage and screen, taking part in more than forty films over the course of his career. In 1931 he headlined the comedy The Charmer.

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Bombolo

Franco Lechner, known professionally as Bombolo, was an Italian character actor and comedian. Born in Rome on May 22, 1931, in the Ponte neighborhood at Via di Monte Giordano 13, he died there on August 21, 1987, at the age of 56. Coming from a poor family, his father was a former dish peddler and oven repairman, and he left school after the second grade at age eight. He worked as a street vendor with his brother Renato, selling household goods and plates, and later umbrellas to make a living. Around the age of 40, he stopped selling goods on the street thanks to his film career. Discovered in a tavern by Franco Castellacci and Pierfrancesco Pingitore in 1975 while eating at 'Picchiottino,' Bombolo joined the cabaret company ‘Il Bagaglino’ and made his theatrical debut at the Salone Margherita in 1976. He chose ‘Bombolo’ as his stage name, a childhood nickname inspired by a 1932 song, possibly to defy body shaming. His comedy style was primarily physical, relying on facial expressions, a bovine gaze, and the use of onomatopoeia, particularly the distinctive sound "Tzé tzé." He frequently appeared in genre films, including sexy comedies and poliziotteschi (crime films), often playing supporting roles alongside actors like Tomas Milian, Enzo Cannavale, and Pippo Franco. His performances with Il Bagaglino were later broadcast on Rai-Tv. Bombolo achieved significant popularity through his appearances in a series of poliziottesco films, including those directed by Bruno Corbucci, such as Squadra Antitruffa (1977) and Delitto al Blue Gay (1984). He became particularly well-known for portraying Venticello, a petty thief and police informant, in nine out of eleven films in the Inspector Nico Giraldi series. This character became iconic and established him as a prominent actor in Italian genre cinema of the 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in approximately ten ‘barzelletta’ (joke) films per year during their popularity, starring in over forty films and television shows. His death was due to complications from a major surgical operation following an acute meningitis attack in 1986 which led to a coma. His final stage appearance was at the Salone Margherita in Rome with the Bagaglino company in May 1987.

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Carlo

Carlo Enrico Paolo Taranto, Italian of birth, is known as radio speaker and has reached popularity especially for his role in the Gialappa's Band, along with Giorgio Gherarducci and Marco Santin.

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Checco Zalone

Born under the name Luca Pasquale Medici and known under the name Checco Zalone, he is an Italian artist who works as a comedian, screenwriter, actor and singer.

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Coco Ponzoni

Cochi Ponzoni, born Aurelio Ponzoni on March 11, 1941, in Milan, is an Italian actor, screenwriter, singer, and comedian. His mother gave him the nickname 'Cochi,' inspired by a character from the children's magazine Corriere dei Piccoli . He attended both the Italian Liceo classico and the Carlo Cattaneo Technical Institute, studying accounting. Early friendships with Renato Pozzetto, beginning in Gemonio, led to a significant artistic partnership. Ponzoni initially gained fame as part of the comedy duo Cochi e Renato with Renato Pozzetto, forming their partnership in 1962. They began performing at 'Cab 64' in 1964 and later at the Derby Club in Milan starting in 1965, developing a surreal and poetic style of comedy. Enzo Jannacci became a friend and co-author during this period, contributing to their popular songs like ‘Canzone Intelligente,’ 'La gallina,' and 'Nebbia in Val Padana.' They debuted on television in 1971 in the miniseries Riuscirà il cav. papà Ubu? and hosted Il poeta e il contadino in 1973. He began a solo career in 1976, marked by his film debut in Cuore di cane , also appearing in The Career of a Chambermaid and Sturmtruppen that same year. After gaining recognition for his work with Pozzetto, Ponzoni pursued a solo career focusing on film and theater. He appeared in films such as Il marchese del Grillo (1981) and Saxofone (1978). Disagreements with Renato Pozzetto regarding work choices occurred in the early 1980s, leading him to shift his focus to dramatic theatre. He briefly ran for political office for the Radical Party in 1987. Ponzoni reunited with Pozzetto in the 2000s for television and stage projects. In December 2024, he received a career award at the Asti International Film Festival and became an official testimonial for City Angels. He published his memoir, La versione di Cochi , in 2023, and appeared on Zelig in February 2026 to celebrate the show's 30th anniversary.

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Giorgio Faletti

Giorgio Faletti, autore, musicista, attore e cabarettista italiano, è nato ad Asti, in Piemonte, e ha vissuto sull'Isola d'Elba. Le sue opere sono state tradotte in venticinque lingue e hanno avuto grande successo in Europa, in Sud America, in Cina, in Giappone, in Russia e negli Stati Uniti.

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Maccio Capatonda

With the name of art Maccio Capatonda, that is Marcello Macchia, is known in Italy for his activity as comedian, actor, screenwriter, director and youtuber.

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