Vittorio Gassmann

Vittorio Gassman (Italian: Vittorio Gassman, September 1, 1922 - June 29, 2000) was an Italian actor, director, screenwriter, and television host active in theater, film, and television. Gassman's nickname "il Mattatore" was taken from the television show of the same name he hosted in 1959. Gassman's acting career spanned more than fifty years; he first acted in theaters in Milan and later in films, appearing in some 130 films and directing four. Gasman is considered one of the best and most representative actors in Italy. He has iconic dramatic manners and pronunciation characteristics, as well as the ultimate pursuit of professionalism. He is also versatile and full of personal charm. Gassman is considered the greatest actor in Italian comedy films, along with Alberto Sordi, Nino Manfredi, Ugo Toniazzi, and Marcello Mastroianni. Gassman has won 7 Italian Film Awards (David Awards) for Best Actor, and is the actor who has won the most awards. In 1975, he won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival for "Scent of a Woman". In 1996, he won the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival.