Leo Gullotta

Although Sicilian funnyman Leo Gullotta is best known for his wacky disguises and celebrity impressions, his diverse acting career of almost fifty years proves he is a man of many talents. He kicked off his performance career in his hometown of Catania as an extra at the historic opera house Teatro Massimo Bellini, before studying under screen actor Turi Ferro at the performing arts academy Teatro Stabile. After moving to Rome, Gullotta found early success as a comedian in the cabaret scene, while landing supporting roles on television shows like the 1974 mystery mini-series "Commissioner De Vincenzi" and the crime show "Qui squadra mobile." His costume act began popping up on Italian variety shows in the 1970s, but it wasn't until he was cast as the cross-eyed man in director Nanni Loy's 1980 Commedia all'Italiana hit "Café Express" that Gullotta became noticed in the mainstream. Dozens of roles in TV and film later, he was given the chance to show off his dramatic chops as Commissioner Iervolino in Giuseppe Tornatore's 1986 crime drama "The Camorra," a performance that earned him a coveted David di Donatello Award for Best Supporting Actor. Eager to branch out into as many mediums as possible--his stage career with performance company Il Bagaglino proved equally fruitful--Gullotta has dubbed Italian voiceovers for Ray Romano, Joe Pesci and even lovable sentient Johnny 5 in the 1986 comedy "Short Circuit."