Ugo Tognazzi

Ugo Tognazzi (Italian pronunciation: [ˈuːɡo toɲˈɲattsi]; 23 March 1922 – 27 October 1990) was an Italian film, TV, and theatre actor, director, and screenwriter.

Early life

Tognazzi was born in Cremona, in northern Italy but spent his youth in various localities as his father was a traveller clerk for an insurance company.

After his return to his native city in 1936, he worked in a salami production plant. During World War II, he was inducted into the Army and returned home after the Armistice of September 1943. His passion for theater and acting dates from his early years, and also during the conflict he organized shows for his fellow soldiers. In 1945, he moved to Milan, where he was enrolled in the theatrical company led by Wanda Osiris. A few years later, he formed his own successful musical revue company.

Career

In 1950, Tognazzi made his cinematic debut in I cadetti di Guascogna directed by Mario Mattoli. The following year, he met Raimondo Vianello, with whom he formed a successful comedy duo for the new-born RAI TV (1954–1960). Their shows, sometimes containing satirical material, were among the first to be censored on Italian television.