THEThe world of cinema says goodbye to the “Italian Danny De Vito”, the eclectic actor Gianluigi Molteni, aka Luis Molteni, died yesterday in Rome at the age of 73, after a very long and varied career in theatre, cinema and TV. A versatile talent who was able to win over many directors and a large audience who respected and appreciated him.
Goodbye to Luis Molteni, a legacy of memorable roles
Born in Seregno, in the province of Monza, his career as an actor debuts at the cinema with Maurizio Nichetti in the movie I made a splash of 1980. But during his career Molteni has worked with many names in Italian comedy, from Carlo Verdone to Roberto Benigni to Christian De Sicaand with many directors from Carlo Vanzina to Black Relatives, Leonardo Pieraccioni And Giovanni Veronesi with whom he had a long and lasting relationship. With him he was cast in Witches north, Manual of love, What will become of us, The last wheel of the wagon, The King’s Musketeers – The penultimate mission And All for 1 – 1 for all and the last one Romeo and Juliet still in Italian cinemas.
An eclectic character actor
His talent also allowed him to move away from comedy and venture into other genres: the thriller with Dario Argento neither The papermakerthe drama with Giuseppe Tornatore neither The Legend of the Pianist on the Ocean and the romantic comedy with Federico Mocciain University Students – Much more than friends, e Gabriele Muccino in Like you no one ever.
The actor Luis Molteni died yesterday in Rome at the age of 73 after a very long and varied career in theatre, cinema and TV (ANSA / ETTORE FERRARI)
The Italian Danny De Vito
Nuovo Imaie, the mutual institute for the protection of performing artists, published a dedication for the actor on Facebook in the last few hours: «What can I say? These first months of 2024 are tough and have taken you away too. We will remember you for your Danny De Vito “de noantri” look, for your love of theater and passion for cinema. You’re still on screens with Romeo and Juliet. We’ll see you there. In the meantime, enjoy the journey. Your friends and colleagues.”
Before cinema, lots of theatre
Molteni, however, had already started with theater in the company Grock’s with which he performed on stages throughout Italy with many successful shows including Sumerycon, or Nutella amara, with Corrado Guzzanti, Francesca Reggiani and Cinzia Leone; to Barefoot in the parkdirected by Sergio Castellitto and Margaret Mazzantini, The War of the Roses, directed by Ugo Chiti and where he played the role of Danny De Vito. It’s still, The abusive prince with Alessandro Siani and Christian De Sica. There were also many TV dramas in which he had taken part: from Police District to Elisa of Rivombrosafrom Don Matteo to John Paul IIfrom Commissioner Manara to Inspector Coliandro until I’m Lillo from 2023 directed by Eros Puglielli.
The embrace of family and friends
Actor with an unmistakable face, Luis Molteni today he leaves a great void within the cinematographic panorama in Italy, but above all in the hearts of his loved ones: he leaves behind his wife and four children and many friends and fans who followed him in all his roles, recognizing his chameleon-like talent.
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