Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Angelo Ducas Comneno Porfirogenito Gagliardi de Curtis di Bisanzio (15 February 1898 – 15 April 1967), best known by his stage name Totò (), or simply as Antonio de Curtis, and nicknamed ''il Principe della risata'' ("the Prince of laughter"), was an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter, dramatist, poet, singer and lyricist. He was commonly referred to as one of the most popular Italian performers of all time. He is best known for his funny and sometimes cynical character as a comedian in theatre and then in many successful films shot from the 1940s to the 1960s, but he also worked with many iconic Italian film directors in dramatic/poetic roles.

Early life

Totò was born Antonio Vincenzo Stefano Clemente on 15 February 1898 in the

Rione Sanità Rione Sanità (literally "Health Neighbourhood" in Italian) is a neighbourhood in Naples, part of the Stella quarter. It is located north of Naples' historical centre, adjacent to the Capodimonte hill. History What is now Rione Sanità was a bur ...

, a poor district of

Naples Naples (; it, Napoli ; nap, Napule ), from grc, Νεάπολις, Neápolis, lit=new city. is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 909,048 within the city's adminis ...

, the illegitimate son of Anna Clemente (1881–1947), a Sicilian woman, and the Neapolitan marquis Giuseppe de Curtis (1873–1944). His father did not legally recognize him, and Totò so regretted growing up without a father that in 1933, at age 35, he managed to have the marquis Francesco Maria Gagliardi Focas adopt him in exchange for a life annuity. As a consequence, when Marquis de Curtis recognized him in 1937 Totò had become an heir of two noble families, ultimately claiming an impressive slew of titles. Totò 1918

Totò's mother wanted him to become a priest, but as early as 1913, at the age of 15, he was already acting as a comedian in small theatres, under the pseudonym Clerment. His early repertoire mostly consisted in imitations of Gustavo De Marco's characters. In the minor venues where he performed, Totò had the chance to meet famous artists like

Eduardo Eduardo is the Spanish and Portuguese form of the male given name Edward. Another version is Duarte. It may refer to: Association football * Eduardo Bonvallet, Chilean football player and sports commentator * Eduardo Carvalho, Portuguese footba ...

and

Peppino De Filippo Peppino De Filippo (born Giuseppe De Filippo; 24 August 1903 – 27 January 1980) was an Italian actor. De Filippo was born in Naples, brother of actor and dramatist Eduardo De Filippo and of Titina De Filippo. He made his stage debut at th ...

. He served in the army during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

and then went back to acting. He learned the art of the '' guitti'', the Neapolitan scriptless comedians, heirs to the tradition of the Commedia dell'Arte, and began developing the trademarks of his style, including a puppet-like, disjointed gesticulation, emphasized facial expressions, and an extreme, sometimes surrealistic, sense of humor, largely based on emphasizing primitive urges such as hunger and sexual desire.

Career

In 1922, he moved to Rome to perform in bigger theatres. He performed in the genre of ''

avanspettacolo Avanspettacolo (literally: "before the show") is an Italian theatrical genre that developed between the 1930s and 1950s. Closely related to revue and variety show, avanspettacolo features a diverse mixture of music, ballet, sketch comedy, and oth ...

'', a

vaudevillian Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

mixture of music, ballet and comedy preceding the main act (hence its name, which roughly translates as "before show"). He became adept at these shows (also known as ''rivista'' – ''

Revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own dur ...

''), and in the 1930s he had his own company, with which he travelled across Italy. In 1937, he appeared in his first movie ''

Fermo con le mani ''Hands Off Me!'' () is a 1937 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Gero Zambuto.Moliterno p.179 The film is notable for being the screen début of Totò. Its most famous scenes include one in which he tries to give a haircut to a ...

'', and later starred in 96 other films. As the vast majority of his movies were essentially meant to showcase his performances, many have his name "Totò" in the title. Some of his best-known films are ''

Fifa e Arena ''Fear and Sand'' ( it, Fifa e arena) is a 1948 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. Plot Nicolino is a kitchen boy who works in a small pharmacy in the country, run by a woman unbearably rude. So Nicolino really wa ...

'', ''

Totò al Giro d'Italia ''Toto Tours Italy'' ( it, Totò al giro d'Italia) is a 1948 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. The film features cameos of famous cyclists and other sportsmen of the time: Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali, Fiorenzo Magn ...

'', ''

Totò Sceicco ''Toto the Sheik'' ( it, Totò sceicco) is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò.Curti p.145 It is a parody of desert films such as '' The Son of the Sheik'' and ''Siren of Atlantis''. Plot Antonio is the hum ...

'', ''

Guardie e ladri ''Cops and Robbers'' ( it, Guardie e ladri) is a 1951 Italian cult comedy film directed by Steno and Mario Monicelli. It stars the famous comedian Totò, and the cinematographer was the future film director Mario Bava. It was produced by Dino De ...

'', ''

Totò e le donne ''Toto and the Women'' ( it, Totò e le donne) is a 1952 Italian film directed by Mario Monicelli and Steno. Plot The cloth retailer Philip (Totò) is no longer able to stand his possessive and tyrannical wife (Ave Ninchi) who claims a higher ...

'', ''

Totò Tarzan ''Totò Tarzan'' is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò, Marilyn Buferd and Alba Arnova. It is a parody of Edgar Rice Burroughs's novel ''Tarzan of the Apes''. It was shot at the Farnesina Studios in Rome. ...

'', ''

Totò terzo uomo ''Toto the Third Man'' ( it, Totò terzo uomo) is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. Plot In a small village Peter and Paul (both starring Toto), twin brothers of opposite characters, Peter, mayor of the ...

'', ''

Totò a colori ''Toto in Color'' (Italian: ''Totò a colori'') is a 1952 Italian comedy film, and was the first Italian color film shot with the Ferraniacolor system. The film was directed by Steno and starred the comic actor Totò. Plot Antonio Scannagatti is ...

'' (one of the first Italian color movies, 1952, in

Ferrania FILM Ferrania s.r.l. is a photographic film manufacturing company located in Ferrania (Liguria), Italy. Ferrania was founded in 1923 as a maker of photographic film, papers, and photographic equipment, including cameras. The company was purchas ...

color), '' I soliti ignoti'', ''

Totò, Peppino e la malafemmina ''Toto, Peppino, and the Hussy'' (originally ''Totò, Peppino e la... malafemmina'') is an Italian comedy film directed by Camillo Mastrocinque in 1956. It stars the comedy duo of Totò and Peppino De Filippo. The film also stars the popular sin ...

'', '' La legge è legge''.

Pier Paolo Pasolini Pier Paolo Pasolini (; 5 March 1922 – 2 November 1975) was an Italian poet, filmmaker, writer and intellectual who also distinguished himself as a journalist, novelist, translator, playwright, visual artist and actor. He is considered one of ...

's ''

The Hawks and the Sparrows ''The Hawks and the Sparrows'' ( it, Uccellacci e uccellini, literally "Birds of prey and Little Birds") is a 1966 Italian film directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. It was entered into the 1966 Cannes Film Festival where a "Special Mention" was made ...

'' and the episode "Che cosa sono le nuvole" from '' Capriccio all'italiana'' (the latter released after his death), showed his dramatic skills. Antonio De Curtis - Totò

In his vast cinematographic career, Totò had the opportunity to act side by side with virtually all major Italian actors of the time. With some of them he paired in several films, the most renowned and successful teams being established with

Aldo Fabrizi Aldo Fabrizi (; born Aldo Fabbrizi; 1 November 1905 – 2 April 1990) was an Italian actor, director, screenwriter and comedian, best known for the role of the heroic priest in Roberto Rossellini's ''Rome, Open City'' and as partner of Totò in ...

and

. De Filippo was one of the few actors to have his name appear in movie titles along with that of Totò, for example in ''

'' and '' Totò e Peppino divisi a Berlino''. Partly because of the radical, naive immorality of his roles, some of his more spicy gags raised much controversy in a society that was both strictly

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

and ruled by the conservative

Democrazia Cristiana Christian Democracy ( it, Democrazia Cristiana, DC) was a Christian democratic political party in Italy. The DC was founded on 15 December 1943 in the Italian Social Republic (Nazi-occupied Italy) as the ideal successor of the Italian People's ...

(Christian Democracy) party. For example, Totò's 1964 movie '' Che fine ha fatto Totò Baby?'' (a parody of '' What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'') included a humorous celebration of

cannabis ''Cannabis'' () is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Three species may be recognized: '' Cannabis sativa'', '' C. indica'', and '' C. ruderalis''. Alternative ...

in an era when drugs were perceived by the Italian audience as something as exotic as depraved and dangerous.

Writing

During the 1950s, he started to compose poetry. The best-known is probably A Livella'', in which an arrogant rich man and a humble poor man meet after their deaths and discuss their differences. Totò was also a songwriter: ''

Malafemmena "Malafemmena" (; "Bad Woman") is a song written by the Neapolitan actor Totò (Antonio de Curtis) in 1951. It has become one of the most popular Italian songs, a classic of the Canzone Napoletana genre, and has been recorded by many artists. Back ...

'' (''Wayward Woman''), dedicated to his wife Diana after they separated, is considered a classic of the Neapolitan popular music.

Personal life

Totò had a reputation as a

playboy ''Playboy'' is an American men's Lifestyle magazine, lifestyle and entertainment magazine, formerly in print and currently online. It was founded in Chicago in 1953, by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from H ...

. One of his lovers, the well known

chanteuse Many words in the English vocabulary are of French origin, most coming from the Anglo-Norman spoken by the upper classes in England for several hundred years after the Norman Conquest, before the language settled into what became Modern Engli ...

and dancer Liliana Castagnola, committed suicide after their relationship ended. This tragedy marked his life. He buried Liliana in his family's chapel, and named his only daughter

Liliana Liliana is derived from the Latin word 'lilium' or 'lilion', both mean 'lily' in English. Due to this, the name means "pure" and "innocent". The name is generally found in North America, though it is more common in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese ...

(born 10 May 1933 to his wife, Diana Bandini Rogliani, whom he married in 1935). Another personal tragedy was the premature birth of his son Massenzio in 1954. The child died a few hours later. He was the son of Totò's mistress Franca Faldini. During a tour in 1956, he lost most of his eyesight due to an eye infection that he had ignored to avoid cancelling his show and disappointing his fans. The handicap however almost never affected his schedule and acting abilities. Totò died at the age of 69 on 15 April 1967 in Rome after a series of heart attacks. Due to overwhelming demand, there were no fewer than three funeral services: the first in Rome, a second in his birth city of

—and a few days later, in a third one by the local Camorra boss, an empty

casket A casket jewelry box is a container that is usually smaller than a chest, and in the past were typically decorated. Whereas cremation jewelry is a small container, usually in the shape of a pendant or bracelet, to hold a small amount of ashes. ...

was carried along the packed streets of the popular Rione Sanità quarter where he was born.

Noble titles

In 1946, when the

Consulta Araldica The ''Consulta Araldica'' ( en, College of Arms) was a college instituted by royal decree on 10 October 1869 to advise the Italian government on noble titles, coats of arms and related matters. It was a department of the Ministry of the Interior, co ...

—the body that advised the

Kingdom of Italy The Kingdom of Italy ( it, Regno d'Italia) was a state that existed from 1861, when Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia was proclaimed King of Italy, until 1946, when civil discontent led to an institutional referendum to abandon the monarchy and f ...

on matters of nobility—ceased operations, the Tribunal of Naples recognized his numerous titles, so his complete name was changed from Antonio Clemente to Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Ducas Komnenos Gagliardi de Curtis of Byzantium, His Imperial Highness, Palatine Count, Knight of the

Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire was a political entity in Western, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. From the accession of Otto I in 962 ...

, Exarch of

Ravenna Ravenna ( , , also ; rgn, Ravèna) is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. It was the capital city of the Western Roman Empire from 408 until its collapse in 476. It then served as the ca ...

, Duke of Macedonia and Illyria, Prince of

Constantinople la, Constantinopolis ota, قسطنطينيه , alternate_name = Byzantion (earlier Greek name), Nova Roma ("New Rome"), Miklagard/Miklagarth (Old Norse), Tsargrad ( Slavic), Qustantiniya ( Arabic), Basileuousa ("Queen of Cities"), Megalopolis ( ...

Cilicia Cilicia (); el, Κιλικία, ''Kilikía''; Middle Persian: ''klkyʾy'' (''Klikiyā''); Parthian: ''kylkyʾ'' (''Kilikiyā''); tr, Kilikya). is a geographical region in southern Anatolia in Turkey, extending inland from the northeastern coa ...

Thessaly Thessaly ( el, Θεσσαλία, translit=Thessalía, ; ancient Thessalian: , ) is a traditional geographic and modern administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, The ...

Pontus Pontus or Pontos may refer to: * Short Latin name for the Pontus Euxinus, the Greek name for the Black Sea (aka the Euxine sea) * Pontus (mythology), a sea god in Greek mythology * Pontus (region), on the southern coast of the Black Sea, in modern ...

Moldavia Moldavia ( ro, Moldova, or , literally "The Country of Moldavia"; in Romanian Cyrillic alphabet, Romanian Cyrillic: or ; chu, Землѧ Молдавскаѧ; el, Ἡγεμονία τῆς Μολδαβίας) is a historical region and for ...

, Dardania,

Peloponnesus The Peloponnese (), Peloponnesus (; el, Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnēsos,(), or Morea is a peninsula and geographic region in southern Greece. It is connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmus of Corinth land bridge whi ...

, Count of

Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is ge ...

and

Epirus sq, Epiri rup, Epiru , native_name_lang = , settlement_type = Historical region , image_map = Epirus antiquus tabula.jpg , map_alt = , map_caption = Map of ancient Epirus by Heinri ...

, Count and Duke of

Drivast Drisht ( sq-definite, Drishti) is a village, former bishopric and Latin titular see with an Ancient and notable medieval history (Latin ''Drivastum,'' Italian ''Drivasto'') in Albania, 6 km from Mes Bridge (Albanian: ''Ura e Mesit''). It is l ...

o and Durazzo. For someone born and raised in one of the poorest Neapolitan neighbourhoods, this must have been quite an achievement, but in claiming the titles (at the time they had become meaningless) the comedian also mocked them for their intrinsic worthlessness. In fact, when he was not using his stage name Totò, he mostly referred to himself simply as Antonio de Curtis.

Filmography

Actor

Totò starred in 97 films: *'' Hands Off Me!'' (1937) as Antonio 'Totò' Toretota *''

Mad Animals ''Mad Animals'' (Italian:''Animali pazzi'') is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Totò, Luisa Ferida and Calisto Bertramo.Moliterno p.316 It was made at the Titanus Studios in Rome. Pl ...

'' (1939) as Totò / Barone Tolomeo dei Tolomei *'' Saint John, the Beheaded'' (1940) as Mastro Agostino Miciacio *'' The Happy Ghost'' (1941) as Nicolino & Gelsomino & Antonino *'' Two Hearts Among the Beasts'' (1943) as Totò *' (1943) *'' Romulus and the Sabines'' (1945) as Aristide Tromboni *'' The Two Orphans'' (1947) as Gasparre *''

Toto Tours Italy ''Toto Tours Italy'' ( it, Totò al giro d'Italia) is a 1948 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. The film features cameos of famous cyclists and other sportsmen of the time: Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali, Fiorenzo M ...

'' (1948) as Prof. Toto' Casamandrei *''

Fear and Sand ''Fear and Sand'' ( it, Fifa e arena) is a 1948 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. Plot Nicolino is a kitchen boy who works in a small pharmacy in the country, run by a woman unbearably rude. So Nicolino really wa ...

'' (1948) as Nicolino Capece *'' The Firemen of Viggiù'' (1949) as The Suitor - Disguises Himself as Dummy / Band Leader *'' Yvonne of the Night'' (1949) as Nino, il fantasista *'' Toto Looks for a House'' (1949) as Beniamino Lomacchio *''

The Emperor of Capri ''The Emperor of Capri'' (Italian: ''L'imperatore di Capri'') is a 1949 Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Comencini and starring Totò, Yvonne Sanson and Marisa Merlini.Moliterno p.88 The film's sets were designed by the art director Carlo Eg ...

'' (1949) as Antonio De Fazio *'' Totò Le Mokò'' (1949) as Antonio Lumaconi / Totò le Moko *''

Side Street Story ''Side Street Story'' ( it, Napoli milionaria , meaning "Millionaire Naples") is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Eduardo De Filippo, who wrote the play upon which the film is based. It was entered into the 1951 Cannes Film Festival. Plo ...

'' (1950) as Pasquale Miele *'' Figaro Here, Figaro There'' (1950) as Figaro *'' Toto Looks for a Wife'' (1950) as Toto *''

'' (1950) as Antonio Della Buffas *''

Bluebeard's Six Wives ''Bluebeard's Six Wives'' (Italian: ''Le sei mogli di Barbablù'') is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Totò, Isa Barzizza and Carlo Ninchi.Moliterno p.48 The film's sets were designed by the art directo ...

'' (1950) as Totò Esposito *''

Toto the Sheik ''Toto the Sheik'' ( it, Totò sceicco) is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò.Curti p.145 It is a parody of desert films such as '' The Son of the Sheik'' and ''Siren of Atlantis''. Plot Antonio is the hum ...

'' (1950) as Antonio Sapore, il maggiordomo *''

47 morto che parla ''47 morto che parla'' is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia. The film stars Totò and Silvana Pampanini. Plot The story is set in a small town near Naples in early 1900. Baron Antonio Peletti is a stingy and cruel ...

'' (1950) as Il barone Antonio Peletti *''

Toto the Third Man ''Toto the Third Man'' ( it, Totò terzo uomo) is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. Plot In a small village Peter and Paul (both starring Toto), twin brothers of opposite characters, Peter, mayor of the t ...

'' (1951) as Piero / Paolo / Totò *''

Seven Hours of Trouble ''Seven Hours of Trouble'' (Italian: ''Sette ore di guai'') is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Vittorio Metz and Marcello Marchesi and starring Totò, Isa Barzizza and Carlo Campanini.Goble p.958 Plot Toto De Pasquale (Toto) is the holder ...

'' (1951) as Totò De Pasquale *'' Cops and Robbers'' (1951) as Ferdinando Esposito *'' Toto in Color'' (1952) as Antonio Scannagatti *''

Toto and the King of Rome ''Toto and the King of Rome'' ( it, Totò e i re di Roma) is a 1952 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Monicelli and Steno. Italian horror film director Lucio Fulci worked on this film as an assistant director.Thrower, Stephen (1999). Beyond T ...

'' (1952) as Ercole Pappalardo *''

Toto and the Women ''Toto and the Women'' ( it, Totò e le donne) is a 1952 Italian film directed by Mario Monicelli and Steno. Plot The cloth retailer Philip (Totò) is no longer able to stand his possessive and tyrannical wife (Ave Ninchi) who claims a higher ...

'' (1952) as Antonio Scaparro *'' One of Those'' (1953) as Rocco *'' Man, Beast and Virtue'' (1953) as Prof. Paolino *''

Neapolitan Turk ''Neapolitan Turk'' ( it, Un turco napoletano) is a 1953 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. Plot The film is based on a play by the famous Neapolitan writer Eduardo Scarpetta, father of Eduardo and Peppino De Fi ...

'' (1953) as Felice Sciosciammocca *'' Funniest Show on Earth'' (1953) as Tottons, il clown / Una signora del pubblico *''

Of Life and Love ''Of Life and Love'' ( it, Questa è la vita) is a 1954 Italian comedy film directed by Aldo Fabrizi, Giorgio Pastina, Mario Soldati and Luigi Zampa. Plot The film tells four episodes from stories written by Luigi Pirandello (from the work: '' ...

'' (1954) as Rosario Chiarchiaro (segment "La patente") *''

Where Is Freedom? ''Where Is Freedom?'' ( it, Dov'è la libertà?) is a 1954 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Roberto Rossellini. The film had a troubled production because, after shooting some scenes, Rossellini lost interest in the film and abandoned the s ...

'' (1954) as Salvatore Lojacono *'' A Slice of Life'' (1954) as Il fotografo *'' Poverty and Nobility'' (1954) as Felice Sciosciammocca *'' The Doctor of the Mad'' (1954) as Felice Sciosciammocca *''

The Three Thieves ''The Three Thieves'' (Italian: ''I tre ladri'') is a 1954 Italian-French comedy film directed by Lionello De Felice and starring Totò, Jean-Claude Pascal and Simone Simon Simone Thérèse Fernande Simon (23 April 1910 or 1911 – 22 Febru ...

'' (1954) as Tapioca *''

Toto Seeks Peace ''Toto Seeks Peace'' ( it, Totò cerca pace) is a 1954 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò.Aprà p.101 Plot Two widowers decide to get married but their decision is continually hampered by their grandchildren, who ar ...

'' (1954) as Gennaro Piselli *'' The Gold of Naples'' (1954) as Don Saverio Petrillo (segment "Il guappo") *'' Totò and Carolina'' (1955) as Antonio Caccavallo *''

Toto in Hell ''Toto in Hell'' ( it, Totò all'inferno) is a 1955 Italian fantasy-comedy film directed by Camillo Mastrocinque. Italian cult horror film director Lucio Fulci co-wrote the screenplay. Plot Antonio Marchi, a depressed thief, after several attem ...

'' (1955) as Antonio Marchi / March' Antonio *'' Carousel of Variety'' (1955) *'' Are We Men or Corporals?'' (1955) as Toto Esposito *''

Destination Piovarolo ''Destination Piovarolo'' ( it, Destinazione Piovarolo) is a 1955 Italian comedy film directed by Domenico Paolella. Plot summary In 1922, during Fascism, Antonio La Quaglia accepts the assignment to the station master in a remote town called ...

'' (1955) as Antonio La Quaglia *'' Roman Tales'' (1955) as Professore Semprini *''

Il coraggio ''Il coraggio'' is a 1955 Italian comedy film directed by Domenico Paolella. Plot Commendatore Aristide Paoloni is a man all of a piece, strong and brave, who prides himself on saving lives. His specialty is to avoid drowning suicides that are ...

'' (1955) as Gennaro Vaccariello *''

The Band of Honest Men ''The Band of Honest Men'' (original title: ''La banda degli onesti'') is a 1956 black and white Italian comedy film. The film is known as ''Die Bande der Ehrlichen'' in West Germany, and ''Totó e as Notas Falsas'' in Portugal. It was filmed in R ...

'' (1956) as Antonio Buonocore *'' Totò, lascia o raddoppia?'' (1956) as Duca Gagliardo della Forcoletta *'' Toto, Peppino, and the Hussy'' (1956) as Antonio Caponi *'' Toto, Peppino and the Outlaws'' (1956) as Antonio *''

The Lady Doctor ''The Lady Doctor'' ( it, Totò, Vittorio e la dottoressa, also known as ''Totò, Vittorio and the Doctor'') is a 1957 Italian comedy film directed by Camillo Mastrocinque. Plot Michele and Gennaro work as attendants in the investigation agency ...

'' (1957) as Michele 'Mike' Spillone *'' Toto and Marcellino'' (1958) as Il professore *''

The Law Is the Law ''The Law Is the Law'' (french: La loi, c'est la loi, it, La legge è legge) is a 1958 French-Italian comedy film directed by Christian-Jaque. It was entered into the 8th Berlin International Film Festival. Plot In the village of Assola, div ...

'' (1958) as Giuseppe La Paglia *''

Big Deal on Madonna Street ''Big Deal on Madonna Street'' ( it, I soliti ignoti; released in the UK as ''Persons Unknown'') is a 1958 Italian comedy caper film directed by Mario Monicelli and considered to be among the masterpieces of Italian cinema. Its original Italian ...

'' (1958) as Dante Cruciani *''

Toto, Peppino and the Fanatics ''Toto, Peppino and the Fanatics'' ( it, Totò, Peppino e le fanatiche) is a 1958 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. Plot The poor Antonio Vignanelli and Peppino Caprioli are exacerbated by hobby and foibles of th ...

'' (1958) as Ragionier Antonio Vignanelli *'' Toto in Paris'' (1958) as Marchese Gastone de Chemantel / Chateau-Boiron / il vagabondo Totò *'' Toto in the Moon'' (1958) as Pasquale Belafronte *''

Legs of Gold ''Legs of Gold'' (Italian: ''Gambe d'oro'') is a 1958 Italian sports film directed by Turi Vasile and Antonio Margheriti and starring Totò, Memmo Carotenuto and Rossella Como.Bìspuri p.191 Plot Barone Luigi Fontana is a rich and stingy prod ...

'' (1958) as barone Luigi Fontana *''

Toto in Madrid ''Toto in Madrid'' ( it, Totò, Eva e il pennello proibito) is an Italian comedy film from 1959, directed by Steno, written by Vittorio Metz, starring Totò and Louis de Funès. The film is known under the titles: "Toto in Madrid" (English tit ...

'' (1959) as Totò Scorceletti *'' The Overtaxed'' (1959) as Torquato Pezzella *''

The Thieves ''The Thieves'' () is a 2012 South Korean heist action comedy film directed by Choi Dong-hoon with an ensemble cast. With over 12.9 million ticket sales, the action comedy is the ninth highest-grossing film in Korean film history. Plot Ye ...

'' (1959) as Commissario Di Sapio *'' You're on Your Own'' (1959) as Il nonno illuminato *''

La cambiale ''La cambiale'' is a 1959 Italian comedy film directed by Camillo Mastrocinque. Plot Commander Bruscatelli, before being imprisoned, leaves the Posalaquaglia cousins a bill of exchange which they give to Temistocle Bisogni in compensation for t ...

'' (1959) as Cesare Posalaquaglia *''

Tough Guys ''Tough Guys'' is a 1986 American action comedy film directed by Jeff Kanew and starring Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Eli Wallach, Charles Durning, Dana Carvey and Darlanne Fluegel. It is the eighth film of Touchstone Pictures, and the final ...

'' (1960) as L'Algerino *'' Gentlemen Are Born'' (1960) as Ottone Degli Ulivi, detto Zazà *''

Toto, Fabrizi and the Young People Today ''Toto, Fabrizi and the Young People Today'' ( it, Totò, Fabrizi e i giovani d'oggi) is a 1960 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò.Aprà p.101 Plot Two bourgeois families live in Rome: the family of the " Cavalie ...

'' (1960) as Antonio Cocozza *'' Letto a tre piazze'' (1960) as Antonio Di Cosimo *'' The Passionate Thief'' (1960) as Umberto 'Infortunio' Pennazzuto *''

Who Hesitates Is Lost Who or WHO may refer to: * Who (pronoun), an interrogative or relative pronoun * Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism * World Health Organization Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Who, a creature in the Dr. Seuss book ''Horton Hear ...

'' (1960) as Antonio Guardalavecchia *''Totò ciak'' (1960) as Toto *'' Totò, Peppino e... la dolce vita'' (1961) as Antonio Barbacane *'' Sua Eccellenza si fermò a mangiare'' (1961) as The So-Called Dr Biagio Tanzarella *'' Totòtruffa 62'' (1961) as Antonio Peluffo *''

The Two Marshals ''The Two Marshals'' ( it, I due marescialli) is a 1961 Italian comedy film written and directed by Sergio Corbucci. The film was a hit at the Italian box office, with 2.765.531 spectators and a total gross of 536.513.000 lire.Matilde Amorosi, ...

'' (1961) as Antonio Capurro *'' Toto vs. Maciste'' (1962) as Totokamen Sabachi *'' Totò Diabolicus'' (1962) as Marquis Galeazzo di Torrealta / Gen. Scipione di Torrealta / Prof. Carlo di Torrealta / Baroness Laudomia di Torrealta / Mons. Antonino di Torrealta / Pasquale Bonocore *''

Lo smemorato di Collegno ''Lo smemorato di Collegno'' (Italian for "The Collegno amnesiac") is a 1962 commedia all'italiana film directed by Sergio Corbucci. It is loosely based on the Bruneri-Canella case. Plot A man is hospitalized in a neurological clinic, due to a ...

'' (1962) as Lo smemorato *'' Toto and Peppino Divided in Berlin'' (1962) as Antonio La Puzza / Canarinis *'' Toto's First Night'' (1962) as Nini *''

The Two Colonels ''I due colonnelli'' (internationally released as ''The Two Colonels'') is a 1963 Italian comedy film directed by Steno. The character of Totò took inspiration from a similar character he played in '' Totò Diabolicus''. Plot The story is of I ...

'' (1962) as Colonnello Di Maggio *''

The Shortest Day ''The Shortest Day'' ( it, Il giorno più corto) is a 1963 Italian comedy film. It is a parody of the war movie '' The Longest Day'' and stars the popular duo Franco and Ciccio in the leading roles. Dozens of other well-known actors, from both Eu ...

'' (1962) as Frate bersagliere *''

Toto vs. the Four ''Totò contro i quattro'', internationally released as ''Toto vs. the Four'', is a List of Italian films of 1963, 1963 Cinema of Italy, Italian comedy film directed by Stefano Vanzina, Steno. Despite its title, it was not a true fusion between To ...

'' (1963) as Antonio Saracino *''

The Monk of Monza ''The Monk of Monza'' ( it, Il monaco di Monza) is a 1963 Italian comedy film directed by Sergio Corbucci. It parodies the story of the Nun of Monza, as depicted in the Alessandro Manzoni's novel '' The Betrothed''. Plot Monza, 1630, a period ...

'' (1963) as Pasquale Cicciacalda / Don Manuel *''

Toto and Cleopatra ''Toto and Cleopatra'' ( it, Totò e Cleopatra) is a 1963 Italian adventure-comedy film written and directed by Fernando Cerchio. Plot Mark Antony has a brother-lookalike, Totonno, a sinister slave trader. Totonno secretly replaces Mark Antony ...

'' (1963) as

Mark Antony Marcus Antonius (14 January 1 August 30 BC), commonly known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic from a constitutional republic into the au ...

/ Totonno *'' Le motorizzate'' (1963) as Urbano Cacace (segment "Il Vigile Ignoto") *'' Sexy Toto'' (1963) as Nini Cantachiaro *''

Gli onorevoli ''Gli onorevoli'' is a 1963 Italian anthology comedy film directed by Sergio Corbucci. Simple plot The film is composed of several small stories that have to do with the votes of politicians in Italy in the sixties. A senior sharpshooter decide ...

'' (1963) as Antonio La Trippa *''

The Commandant Robin Beauclerk Smith (February 28, 1955) is a South African actor whose professional career began in theater whilst still in high school in 1970. He attended the University of Cape Town Drama School after school and worked at The Space Theater ...

'' (1963) as Col. Antonio Cavalli *'' Toto vs. the Black Pirate'' (1964) as José *''

Beautiful Families ''Beautiful Families'' ( it, Le belle famiglie) is a 1964 Italian comedy film directed by Ugo Gregoretti and starring Annie Girardot. Plot The film's theme is four episodes in which it is offered to the public a glimpse into the lives of rich an ...

'' (1964) as Filiberto Comanducci (segment "Amare è un po' morire") *'' What Ever Happened to Baby Toto?'' (1964) as Totò Baby / il Padre *'' Toto of Arabia'' (1965) as Totò *'' Latin Lovers'' (1965) as Antonio Gargiulo (segment "Amore e morte") *''

The Mandrake ''The Mandrake'' (Italian: ''La Mandragola'' ) is a satirical play by Italian Renaissance philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli. Although the five-act comedy was published in 1524 and first performed in the carnival season of 1526, Machiavelli likel ...

'' (1965) as Il Frate *''

Rita the American Girl ''Rita the American Girl'' (Italian: ''Rita, la figlia americana'') is a 1965 Italian "musicarello" film directed by Piero Vivarelli with Totò and Rita Pavone.Fehrenbach & Poiger p.159 Plot Professor Serafino Benvenuti is a master of classica ...

'' (1965) as Serafino Benvenuti *''

'' (1966) as Innocenti Totò / Brother Ciccillo *''

Treasure of San Gennaro ''Treasure of San Gennaro'' ( it, Operazione San Gennaro) is a 1966 Italian comedy film starring Nino Manfredi, Senta Berger, Totò and Claudine Auger. It is directed by Dino Risi and is a funny classic story of a perfect robbery plan gone wrong in ...

'' (1966) as Don Vincenzo *'' The Witches'' (1967) as Ciancicato Miao (segment "La terra vista dalla luna") *'' The Head of the Family'' (1968) as Man at Funeral (uncredited, released posthumously) *''

Caprice Italian Style ''Caprice Italian Style'' ( it, Capriccio all'italiana) is a 1968 Italian comedy film directed by six different directors, including Mario Monicelli and Pier Paolo Pasolini. The film starred both Totò and the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Plot ...

'' (1968) as Anziano signore (segment "Mostro della domenica, Il") / Iago (segment "Che cosa sono le nuvole?") (final film role, released posthumously)

Screenwriter

* '' Il medico dei pazzi'' * '' Totò all'inferno'' * '' Siamo uomini o caporali'' * ''

'' * ''

I due marescialli ''The Two Marshals'' ( it, I due marescialli) is a 1961 Italian comedy film written and directed by Sergio Corbucci. The film was a hit at the Italian box office, with 2.765.531 spectators and a total gross of 536.513.000 lire.Matilde Amorosi, A ...

TV

*'' TuttoTotò'' (1967, aired posthumously)

Notes

References

Bibliography

* Giancarlo Governi. ''Il pianeta Totò''. Gremese, 1992. . * Liliana De Curtis, Matilde Amorosi. ''Totò a prescindere''. Mondadori, 1992. . * Ennio Bìspuri. ''Totò: principe clown''. Guida Editori, 1997. . * Alberto Anile. ''Il cinema di Totò: (1930-1945) : l'estro funambolo e l'ameno spettro''. Le mani, 1997. . * Associazione Antonio De Curtis. ''Totò, partenopeo e parte napoletano: il teatro, la poesia, la musica''. Marsilio, 1998. . * Alberto Anile. ''I film di Totò (1946-1967): la maschera tradita''. Le mani, 1998. * Costanzo Ioni, Ruggero Guarini. ''Tutto Totò''. Gremese Editore, 1999. . * Ennio Bìspuri. ''Vita di Totò''. Gremese Editore, 2000. . * Franca Faldini, Goffredo Fofi. ''Totò: l'uomo e la maschera''. L'Ancora del Mediterraneo, 2000. . * Paolo Pistolese. ''Totò, stars and stripes''. Cinecittà, 2000. * Orio Caldiron. ''Totò''. Gremese Editore, 2001. . * Antonio Napolitano. ''Totò, uno e centomila''. Tempo Lungo Ed., 2001. . * Fabio Rossi. ''La lingua in gioco: da Totò a lezione di retorica''. Bulzoni, 2002. . * Orio Caldiron. ''Il principe Totò''. Gremese Editore, 2002. . * Liliana De Curtis. ''Totò, mio padre''. Rizzoli, 2002. . * Daniela Aronica, Gino Frezza, Raffaele Pinto. ''Totò. Linguaggi e maschere del comico''. Carocci, 2003. . * Patricia Bianchi, Nicola De Blasi. ''Totò parole di attore e di poeta''. Dante & Descartes, 2007. . * Sonia Pedalino. ''Totò e la maschera''. Firenze Atheneum, 2007. . * Edmondo Capecelatro, Daniele Gallo. ''Totò: vita e arte di un genio''. Viator, 2008. . * Liliana De Curtis, Matilde Amorosi. ''Malafemmena: il romanzo dell'unico, vero, grande amore di Totò''. Mondadori, 2009. . * Ornella Di Russo. ''Cogito ergo De Curtis''. Fermenti, 2013. .

External links

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Career

Writing

Personal life

Noble titles

Filmography

Actor

Screenwriter

TV

See also

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links