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Roberto Benigni

Roberto Benigni

Actor, writer and director, also producer · Born October 27, 1952 (73) · Manciano La Misericordia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo, Italy

Roberto Benigni, (born October 27, 1952, Misericordia, Arezzo, Italy), Italian actor and director known for his comedic work, most notably La vita è bella (1997; Life Is Beautiful), for which he won an Academy Award for best actor. Benigni was the son of a poor tenant farmer who had worked in a German forced-labour camp during World War II. The elder Benigni used humour in retelling his experiences, which helped shape his son’s comedic skill. Benigni briefly attended a Jesuit seminary in Florence, and, after a stint as a magician’s assistant, he joined an underground theatre group in the late 1960s.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 27, 1952 (73)
From
Manciano La Misericordia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo, Italy
Works as
Actor, writer and director, also producer
Titles
19 on MovieCove · 56 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

What are Roberto Benigni's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Genres

Comedy13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
31%
Society
17%
Self
17%
Morality
15%
Ideas
12%
Survival
4%
Power
3%
Friendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeParenthood3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 15 · Serious 2 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 12 · Charged 5 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 11 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 8

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 8 of 11 analyzed roles.

Hero
8 of 11
Trickster
2 of 11
Shadow
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
11
Joyful
8
Absurd
11
Contemplative
6
Tense
5
Other
15

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Roberto Benigni's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 19 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Roberto Benigni's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

56 credits, 19 with a MovieCove page; 36 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Pietro - A Man in the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • The Singing Priest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Dr. John

  • The Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Francesco - The Canticle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Producer · Writer · as Self - Host

  • I magnifici 4 della risata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Pinocchio(2019)

    as Mister Geppetto

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • La voce di Fantozzi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Sé stesso

  • The Ten Commandments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · Creator · as Himself

  • Opinioni di un clown - Roberto Benigni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • To Rome with Love(2012)

    as Leopoldo

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Biggest Show After the Weekend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • La commedia di Amos Poe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Roberto Benigni - Tutto Dante (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 15 episodes · Creator · as Roberto Benigni

  • I Vicerè (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Thanks

  • Collezione di risate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Tiger and the Snow(2005)

    Director · Writer · as Attilio de Giovanni

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Coffee and Cigarettes(2003)

    as Roberto (segment "Strange to Meet You")

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Pinocchio(2002)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Pinocchio

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar(1999)

    as Lucius Detritus

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Life Is Beautiful(1997)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Guido

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • HARDtalk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • TuttoBenigni 95/96 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director · Idea · Screenplay · Stage Director · Story · Writer · as Roberto Benigni

  • The Monster(1994)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · Story · as Loris

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Peter and the Wolf: A Prokofiev Fantasy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Narrator (voice, Italian version)

  • Son of the Pink Panther(1993)

    as Gendarme Jacques Gambrelli

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Look to the Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Thanks

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Night on Earth(1991)

    as Cab Driver Rome

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Johnny Stecchino(1991)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Dante Ceccarini / Johnny Stecchino

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Voice of the Moon(1990)

    as Ivo Salvini

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Mystery Train(1989)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Little Devil(1988)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Giuditta

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Coffee and Cigarettes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Writer · as Roberto

  • Down by Law(1986)

    as Roberto

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Nothing Left to Do but Cry(1984)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Saverio

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Farewell to Enrico Berlinguer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director · as Self

  • FF.SS. cioè '...che mi hai portato a fare sopra a Posillipo se non mi vuoi più bene?' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Lo sceicco Beige

  • Roberto Benigni: TuttoBenigni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Idea · Screenplay · Story · Writer · as Himself

  • You Upset Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Benigno

  • Morto Troisi, viva Troisi! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as The anonymous childhood friend / Self

  • Telepatria international ovvero niente paura siamo italiani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dante Alighieri

  • The Soup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Il maestro

  • The Days Are Numbered (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Il professore

  • Seeking Asylum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Writer · as Roberto

  • Luna(1979)

    as Upholsterer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Womanlight(1979)

    as Bartender at Clapsy's

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Tigers in Lipstick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as The Principal

  • Cinématon(1984)

    as N°801

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Ladra di sogni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Il parolaio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Cliente

  • Il comizio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Screenplay · Actor

  • Vita da Cioni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Berlinguer: I Love You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Screenplay · Story · as Mario Cioni

  • Onda Libera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 4 episodes · Writer · as Mario Cioni

  • Roberto Benigni - Inno Di Mameli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • TuttoDante (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Creator

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles, 54 of them dated from 1976 to 2025; peak year 1998.

Biggest box office

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

$230M worldwide

Highest rated

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

19762025

Peak 1998 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 10 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1977Screen debut· Berlinguer: I Love You
  • 1977First top-billed film· Berlinguer: I Love You
  • 1997Career best· Life Is Beautiful

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting48 of 56: 33 only acting, 15 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thDirecting10 of 56: 1 only directing, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score88thWriting16 of 56: 1 only writing, 15 with another role · typical Midcredits score88thProducing2 of 56: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew7 of 56: 5 only other crew, 2 with another role

56 titles, 16 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 14 of them.

By decade

1970s12 · 12 acting · 4 crew1980s12 · 9 acting · 7 crew1990s12 · 11 acting · 5 crew2000s6 · 5 acting · 4 crew2010s7 · 6 acting · 1 crew2020s5 · 4 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 57% of 23 roles
778792

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Roberto Benigni's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 77th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 72nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 19 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

9 of their 19 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · actor

Cinématon (1984)

88th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director, writer

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Roberto Benigni's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, alcohol & drugs runs heavier than most films and violence & gore lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles7–46 · median 22 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles13–59 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles10–79 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles27–63 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles12–60 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Roberto Benigni work with?

People who share at least 2 of Roberto Benigni's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Nicoletta Braschi shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles