Loris Gizzi

Life and career

Born in Rome, after his university studies Gizzi attended a school of dance and singing. He abandoned the courses when he became an employee of Ferrovie dello Stato, reaching the rank of sub-station master. In the 1930s, he discovered his vocation as an actor, attending several dramatic societies. In 1935, during an outdoor show on the Palatine Hill in honor of royal guests, he was chosen to play Remus in the drama play Rumon; from then he entered the most important stage companies of the time, notably appearing in the 1938 representation of Francesca da Rimini by Gabriele D'Annunzio, staged by Renato Simoni and with Andreina Pagnani in the title role. Active in films since 1933, he had an intense career as a character actor, mostly cast in humorous roles. He played Gioachino Rossini several times, with whom he shared a physical resemblance. He was also active as a voice actor and a dubber.