Renato Pozzetto

Born into a working-class Northern Italian family, actor, performer, and comedian Renato Pozzetto started his long career doing stand-up comedy at a Milan club in the early 1960s. After forming a comedic duo in 1964, Pozzetto and his childhood pal Cochi Ponzoni became known on the cabaret circuit for their surreal brand of comedy and irreverent songwriting, often collaborating with mutual friend Roger Whittaker. Renato and Ponzoni made their screen debut in the 1971 TV movie "Riuscirà il cav. papà Ubu?," but in 1974 Pozzetto was given a co-starring role in the feature "To Love Ophelia," kicking off his career as a film actor. With his stocky build and endearing stammer, the actor enjoyed popularity playing a range of comedic characters in 1970s and '80s Italian cinema, including his roles in "Oh! Serafina," "I'm Photogenic," and 1987's "Da Grande," a film that many believe inspired the 1988 Tom Hanks blockbuster "Big." Often writing or co-writing the scripts of his films, Pozzetto also added producer and director to his credits as he helmed movies such as "Papà dice messa" in 1996 and "Un amore su misura" in 2007. The father of producer Francesca Pozzetto and actor Giacomo Pozzetto, the veteran entertainer became a grandfather in 2001.