Roberto Benigni
Biography
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.
Filmography
Pietro - A Man in the Wind
2025
The Singing Priest
2025
as Dr. John
The Dream
2025
Sanremo 2023. Tra Palco e realtà
2023
as Self
Francesco - The Canticle
2022
as Self - Host
I magnifici 4 della risata
2022
We Are Cinema
2021
as Self (archive footage)
Alida Valli: In Her Own Words
2021
as Self
Paolo Conte, Come Away with Me
2020
as Self
Pinocchio
2019
as Mister Geppetto
Cecchi Gori - Una famiglia italiana
2019
as Self
Untouchable
2019
as Self (archive footage)
Once Upon a Time: Tonino Delli Colli, Cinematographer
2019
as Himself
Evviva Giuseppe
2017
as Himself
La voce di Fantozzi
2017
as Sé stesso
Marco Ferreri: Dangerous But Necessary
2017
as Self
Cinque mondi
2016
as Self
The Last Laugh
2016
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Red Chairs - Parma and the Cinema
2014
as Self (archive footage)
The Most Beautiful in the World
2012
as Himself
Opinioni di un clown - Roberto Benigni
2012
Close Up
2012
as Self (archive footage)
To Rome with Love
2012
as Leopoldo
- No poster
Revisiting Life is Beautiful 15 Years After
2012
as Self - (archival audio)