An Italian actor, director, and screenwriter, he was born in 1953 near Naples. He gained fame in the 1970s with the Neapolitan theater troupe La Smorfia. Renowned for his unique comedic style, he starred in films like "Ricomincio da tre" and "Scusate il ritardo." His 1994 film "Il Postino," released shortly after his untimely death from a heart condition, earned international acclaim and several Oscar nominations, cementing his legacy as a beloved figure in Italian cinema.