Francesco Benenato (18 September 1928 – 9 December 1992), known as Franco Franchi, was an Italian actor, comedian and singer. He was born in

Palermo Palermo ( , ; scn, Palermu , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan ...

, Sicily and began his career in the 1950s, although his career only really took off in the 1960s. He starred in many comedies, mainly appearing together with

Ciccio Ingrassia Francesco Ingrassia (5 October 1922 – 28 April 2003) was an Italian actor, comedian and film director. He was born in Palermo, Sicily, and began his career in the 1950s, although his career only really took off in the 1960s. He starred in m ...

as the comedy duo Franco and Ciccio, but also in more dramatic material such as Luigi Comencini's ''Adventures of Pinocchio'' (1972), in which they paired memorably as the Fox and the Cat. In the film ''

Due Marines e un Generale ''Due marines e un generale'' (translated: ''Two Marines and a General'', internationally released as ''War Italian Style'') is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Scattini. The film puts together the famous Italian comic duo Franco and Ci ...

'' (1966), he worked with

Buster Keaton Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent film work, in which his trademark was physical comedy accompanied by a stoic, deadpan expression ...

and Ciccio Ingrassia.

The comedy duo Franco and Ciccio

In 1959, Franco Franchi settled a contract with his friend

which started up a brilliant theater career. From 1961 to Franco's death in 1992, they will be one of Italy's most famous comedy duo. Their success is based on a format similar to that of Totò and Peppino De Filippo, or

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American Double act, comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–19 ...

. They play two Sicilian buffoon characters, charlatans and extremely messy, were Franco Franchi is the funny "Franco", a young man completely out of his mind who expresses himself mainly through bodily and facial expressions. Ciccio Ingrassia is the skinny and mustachioed bully who believes to be his best of friend, but is actually during difficult situations proves to be the most stupid of the two. A feature of their commercial success and popularity is the use of the body as a means of communication and simple lines, sharp and not at all vulgar.
With these tricks up its sleeve, as both actors will be challenged in youth theater, Franco and Ciccio thanks to their friend

Domenico Modugno Domenico Modugno (; 9 January 1928 – 6 August 1994) was an Italian singer, actor and, later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament. He is known for his 1958 international hit song "Nel blu, dipinto di blu (song), Nel blu dipinto di blu", ...

began to pursue a film career as extras. Then they are noticed by directors of small comedy and so their film career begins. In all years, the two actors churn out at least ten films, working at a pace unimaginable today. In fact, because these days very fast film products are among the best. And unfortunately the criticism then he cut down every film of Franco and Ciccio coming out to the movies, calling it useless and meaningless pecoreccio comedian. However, the popular success of films of Franco and Ciccio was huge and always has been until now in Italy and also in foreign countries.
The specialty of the many films of Franco and Ciccio is improvisation during the scenes, as did Toto and De Filippo, but also the use of parody. In fact there are many foreign films chosen by the two above you to pluck a fun comedy, as the saga of James Bond and that of the great adventure films.

Filmography (with Ciccio Ingrassia)

* '' Appuntamento a Ischia'', directed by

Mario Mattoli Mario Mattoli (; 30 November 1898 – 26 February 1980) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 86 films between 1934 and 1966. His 1939 film ''Defendant, Stand Up!'' was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy ...

(26 September 1960) * ''

L'onorata società ''L'onorata società'' is a 1961 Italian comedy film written and directed by Riccardo Pazzaglia. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Franco Franchi as Salvatore * C ...

'', directed by Riccardo Pazzaglia (30 March 1961) * ''

5 marines per 100 ragazze ''5 marines per 100 ragazze'' is a 1961 Italian "musicarello" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Virna Lisi. Cast * Virna Lisi as Grazia * Mario Carotenuto as Admiral Michigan * Hélène Chanel as Elena * Little Tony as Tony C ...

'', directed by Mario Mattoli (10 August 1961) * '' Maciste contro Ercole nella valle dei guai'', directed by Mario Mattoli (19 October 1961) * ''

Il giudizio universale ''The Last Judgment'' ( it, Il giudizio universale) is a 1961 commedia all'italiana film by Italian director Vittorio De Sica. It was coproduced with France. It has an all-star Italian and international cast, including Americans Jack Palance, E ...

'', directed by Vittorio De Sica (26 October 1961) * ''Pugni pupe e marinai'', directed by Daniele D'Anza (17 November 1961) * ''Gerarchi si muore'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (22 December 1961) * ''Il mio amico Benito'', directed by Giorgio Bianchi (3 March 1962) * ''I tre nemici'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (23 June 1962) * ''I due della legione'', directed by Lucio Fulci (16 August 1962) * ''2 samurai per 100 geishe'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (7 September 1962) * ''Le massaggiatrici'', directed by Lucio Fulci (20 September 1962) * ''I motorizzati'', directed by Camillo Mastrocinque (29 November 1962) * ''Vino, whisky e acqua salata'', directed by Mario Amendola (7 December 1962) * ''Avventura al motel'', directed by Renato Polselli (9 February 1963) * ''

Il giorno più corto ''The Shortest Day'' ( it, Il giorno più corto) is a 1963 Italian comedy film. It is a parody of the war movie '' The Longest Day'' and stars the popular duo Franco and Ciccio in the leading roles. Dozens of other well-known actors, from both Eu ...

'', directed by Sergio Corbucci (14 February 1963) * ''La donna degli altri è sempre più bella'', directed by Marino Girolami (21 February 1963) * '' Obiettivo ragazze'', directed by Mario Mattoli (5 August 1963) * ''Tutto è musica'', directed by

(18 August 1963) * ''Gli imbroglioni'', directed by Lucio Fulci (25 September 1963) * ''I due mafiosi'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (15 January 1964) * ''Due mattacchioni al Moulin Rouge'', directed by Giuseppe Vari (17 January 1964) * ''Le tardone'', directed by Marino Girolami (29 January 1964) * ''I maniaci'', directed by Lucio Fulci (28 March 1964) * ''Queste pazze pazze donne'', directed by Marino Girolami (22 May 1964) * ''Canzoni, bulli e pupe'', directed by Carlo Infascelli (29 May 1964) * ''I marziani hanno dodici mani'', directed by Franco Castellano &

Pipolo Giuseppe "Pipolo" Moccia (22 June 1933 – 20 August 2006) was an Italian screenwriter and film director. He wrote for 96 films between 1958 and 2001. He also directed 21 films between 1964 and 1997. Most of the films he co-wrote and co-dir ...

(21 June 1964) * ''

Due mafiosi nel Far West ''Two Mafiamen in the Far West'' ( it, Due mafiosi nel Far West) is a 1964 Italian comedy western film directed by Giorgio Simonelli. Its stars Franco and Ciccio, and Fernando Sancho. Cast * Franco Franchi as Franco Capone * Ciccio Ingrassi ...

'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (30 June 1964) * ''

L'amore primitivo ''L'Amore Primitivo'' (Aka: ''Primitive Love'', U.S.) is a 1964 Italian comedy film that starred Jayne Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Franco and Ciccio, and Carlo Kechler. The film attempts to combine a typical Mansfield sex comedy with the mondo ...

'', directed by Luigi Scattini (17 July 1964) * ''Le sette vipere'', directed by Renato Polselli (11 August 1964) * ''

Cadavere per signora ''Corpse for the Lady'' ( it, Cadavere per signora) is a 1964 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Sylva Koscina. Cast * Sylva Koscina - Laura Guglielmetti * Sergio Fantoni - Commisario * Scilla Gabel - Renata * Sandra ...

'', directed by Mario Mattoli (19 August 1964) * ''I due evasi di Sing Sing'', directed by Lucio Fulci (22 August 1964) * ''Amore facile'', directed by Gianni Puccini (3 October 1964) * ''002 Agenti Segretissimi'', directed by Lucio Fulci (10 October 1964) * ''Sedotti e bidonati'', directed by Giorgio Bianchi (14 October 1964) * ''

I due toreri ''I due toreri'' ( es, Dos toreros de aúpa) is a 1965 Italian-Spanish comedy film directed by Giorgio Simonelli starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Plot In Sicily Franco and Ciccio are empowered by a local mafia man to guard for a wide ra ...

'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (3 December 1964) * ''Un mostro e mezzo'', directed by Steno (18 December 1964) * ''

Veneri al sole ''Veneri al sole'' is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Marino Girolami. Cast *Carlo Delle Piane as Oreste (segment "Intrigo al mare") * Gloria Paul as Jenny (segment "Intrigo al mare") *Umberto D'Orsi as L'inseguitore (segment "Intrigo al ...

'', directed by Marino Girolami (24 December 1964) * '' I due pericoli pubblici'', directed by Lucio Fulci (31 December 1964) * '' Soldati e caporali'', directed by Mario Amendola (31 December 1964) * ''

Io uccido, tu uccidi ''I Kill, You Kill'' or ''Io uccido, tu uccidi'' is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Gianni Puccini starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Cast *Franco Franchi as Franco (segment "Cavalleria Rusticana, oggi") *Ciccio Ingrassia as Tu ...

'', directed by Gianni Puccini (25 March 1965) * ''

Letti sbagliati ''Letti sbagliati'' is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Steno starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Cast * Franco Franchi ... (segment "La seconda moglie") * Ciccio Ingrassia ... (segment "La seconda moglie") *Lando Buzzanca ... (s ...

'', directed by Steno (6 April 1965) * ''

Per un pugno nell'occhio ''Per un pugno nell'occhio'' is a 1965 Italian film by Michele Lupo starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. It is a Spaghetti Western parody of ''Fistful of Dollars'' and was also known as ''Fistful of Knuckles'' and ''For a Fist in the Eye ...

'', directed by Michele Lupo (14 April 1965) * '' I figli del leopardo'', directed by Sergio Corbucci (21 April 1965) * ''Scandali nudi'', directed by Enzo Di Gianni (11 June 1965) * ''Veneri in collegio,'' directed by Marino Girolami (26 June 1965) * ''

Gli amanti latini , image = Gli Amanti latini.jpg , caption = , director = Mario Costa , producer = Thomas Sagone , writer = Bruno Corbucci Giovanni Grimaldi , starring = TotòFranco Franchi Ciccio Ingrassia , mu ...

'', directed by Mario Costa (11 August 1965) * ''

I due sergenti del generale Custer ''Two Sergeants of General Custer'' ( it, I due sergenti del generale Custer) is a 1965 Italian Spaghetti Western comedy film directed by Giorgio Simonelli starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Cast * Franco Franchi as Franco La Pera * ...

'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (13 August 1965) * ''

Come inguaiammo l'esercito '' How We Got into Trouble with the Army '' ( it, Come inguaiammo l'esercito) is a 1965 Italian comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. ...

'', directed by Lucio Fulci (21 August 1965) * '' Due mafiosi contro Goldginger'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (15 October 1965) * ''

002 Operazione Luna ''002 operazione Luna'' is a science fiction comedy film directed by Lucio Fulci. The film stars Franco Franchi, Ciccio Ingrassia, Mónica Randall and Linda Sini. The film's Spanish print released in 1968 was titled ''Dos cosmonautas a la fuerz ...

'', directed by Lucio Fulci (25 November 1965) * ''

Due marines e un generale ''Due marines e un generale'' (translated: ''Two Marines and a General'', internationally released as ''War Italian Style'') is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Scattini. The film puts together the famous Italian comic duo Franco and Ci ...

'', directed by Luigi Scattini (26 November 1965) * ''

I due parà ''The Two Parachutists'' or ''I due parà'' is a 1965 Italian war comedy film directed by Lucio Fulci, starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Plot Franco and Ciccio are two Sicilian street artists who are forced to flee to the America to ...

'', directed by Lucio Fulci (24 December 1965) * ''Due mafiosi contro Al Capone'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (4 March 1966) * ''Come svaligiammo la Banca d'Italia'', directed by Lucio Fulci (18 March 1966) * ''

Le spie vengono dal semifreddo ''Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs'' ( Italian: ''Le spie vengono dal semifreddo'', lit. "The spies who came in from the cool") is a 1966 Eurospy comedy film, made in Technicolor and directed by Mario Bava. Serving as a sequel to two unrelate ...

'', directed by Mario Bava (29 July 1966) * ''I due sanculotti'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli (13 August 1966) * ''Gli altri, gli altri e noi'', directed by Maurizio Arena (31 October 1966) * '' I due figli di Ringo'', directed by Giorgio Simonelli e Giuliano Carnimeo (7 December 1966) * ''

Come rubammo la bomba atomica ''Come rubammo la bomba atomica'' or ''How We Stole the Atomic Bomb'' is a 1967 Italian-Egyptian international co-production Eurospy comedy based on the 1966 Palomares B-52 crash. Filmed in Italy and Egypt, it stars the Italian comic duo of Fran ...

'', directed by Lucio Fulci (3 February 1967) * ''Il lungo, il corto, il gatto'', directed by Lucio Fulci (3 May 1967) * ''I Zanzaroni'', directed by Ugo La Rosa (17 May 1967) * '' Il bello, il brutto, il cretino'', directed by

Giovanni Grimaldi Giovanni Grimaldi (14 November 1917 – 25 February 2001) was an Italian screenwriter, journalist and film director. He was sometimes credited as Gianni Grimaldi. Biography Born in Catania, Sicily, Grimaldi entered the cinema industry in 19 ...

(13 August 1967) * ''Due Rrringos nel Texas'', directed by Marino Girolami (25 August 1967) * ''Stasera mi butto'', directed by Ettore Maria Fizzarotti (27 October 1967) * ''I due vigili'', directed by Giuseppe Orlandini (13 December 1967) * ''I barbieri di Sicilia'', directed by Marcello Ciorciolini (21 December 1967) * ''Nel sole'', directed by Aldo Grimaldi (22 December 1967) * ''Brutti di notte'', directed by Giovanni Grimaldi (14 March 1968) * ''L'oro del mondo'', directed by Aldo Grimaldi (27 March 1968) * ''

Capriccio all'italiana ''Caprice Italian Style'' ( it, Capriccio all'italiana) is a 1968 Italian comedy film directed by six different directors, including Mario Monicelli and Pier Paolo Pasolini. The film starred both Totò and the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Plot ...

'', directed by Mauro Bolognini,

Mario Monicelli Mario Alberto Ettore Monicelli (; 16 May 1915 – 29 November 2010) was an Italian film director and screenwriter and one of the masters of the ''Commedia all'Italiana'' (Comedy Italian style). He was nominated six times for an Oscar, and was awa ...

, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Steno, Franco Rossi (13 April 1968) * ''Franco, Ciccio e le vedove allegre'', directed by Marino Girolami (13 April 1968) * ''I due crociati'', directed by Giuseppe Orlandini (7 August 1968) * ''Don Chisciotte e Sancio Panza'', directed by Giovanni Grimaldi (24 August 1968) * ''Ciccio perdona... Io no!'', directed by Marcello Ciorciolini (26 September 1968) * ''I due pompieri'', directed by

Bruno Corbucci Bruno Corbucci (23 October 1931 – 7 September 1996) was an Italian screenwriter and film director. He was the younger brother of Sergio Corbucci, and wrote many of his films. He was born in Rome, where he also died. The vast majority o ...

(29 October 1968) * ''I nipoti di Zorro'', directed by Marcello Ciorciolini (12 December 1968) * ''I due magnifici fresconi (un imbroglio tutto curve)'', directed by Marino Girolami (23 December 1968) * ''I due deputati'', directed by Giovanni Grimaldi (1 January 1969) * ''Indovina chi viene a merenda?'', directed by Marcello Ciorciolini (2 April 1969) * ''

Franco, Ciccio e il pirata Barbanera ''Franco, Ciccio e il pirata Barbanera'' (''Franco, Ciccio and Blackbeard the Pirate'') is a 1969 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Amendola starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Is a parody of the 1883 adventure novel ''Treasure Island'' ...

'', directed by Mario Amendola (16 September 1969) * ''Franco e Ciccio... ladro e guardia'', directed by Marcello Ciorciolini (20 November 1969) * ''Lisa dagli occhi blu'', directed by Bruno Corbucci (23 December 1969) * ''Satiricosissimo'', directed by Mariano Laurenti (21 January 1970) * ''Nel giorno del Signore'', directed by Bruno Corbucci (18 March 1970) * '' Franco e Ciccio sul sentiero di guerra'', directed by Aldo Grimaldi (26 March 1970) * ''Don Franco e Don Ciccio nell'anno della contestazione'', directed by Marino Girolami (16 April 1970) * '' Ma chi t'ha dato la patente?'', directed by Nando Cicero (28 August 1970) * ''I due Maggiolini più matti del mondo'', directed by Giuseppe Orlandini (29 August 1970) * ''Principe coronato cercasi per ricca ereditiera'', directed by Giovanni Grimaldi (29 August 1970) * ''W le donne'', directed by Aldo Grimaldi (4 September 1970) * ''Due bianchi nell'Africa nera'', directed by Bruno Corbucci (28 October 1970) * ''

I due maghi del pallone ''I due maghi del pallone'' (''The two wizards of the ball'') is a 1970 Italian comedy film directed by Mariano Laurenti starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. Plot summary Ciccio Ingrassetti is the PR of a milanese pharmaceutical firm w ...

'', directed by Mariano Laurenti (2 December 1970) * '' Il clan dei due Borsalini'', directed by Giuseppe Orlandini (18 February 1971) * ''Mazzabubù... Quante corna stanno quaggiù?'', directed by Mariano Laurenti (25 February 1971) * ''Scusi, ma lei le paga le tasse?'', directed by Mino Guerrini (11 March 1971) * '' Ma che musica maestro!'', directed by Mariano Laurenti (6 April 1971) * ''I due della Formula Uno alla corsa più pazza pazza del mondo'', directed by Osvaldo Civirani (12 August 1971) * ''Venga a fare il soldato da noi'', directed by Ettore Maria Fizzarotti (12 August 1971) * ''Riuscirà l'avvocato Franco Benenato a sconfiggere il suo acerrimo nemico il pretore Ciccio De Ingras?'', directed by Mino Guerrini (19 August 1971) * '' Armiamoci e partite!'', directed by Nando Cicero (3 September 1971) * ''I due pezzi da 90'', directed by Osvaldo Civirani (28 October 1971) * ''I due assi del guantone'', directed by Mariano Laurenti (2 December 1971) * ''Continuavano a chiamarli i due piloti più matti del mondo'', directed by Mariano Laurenti (8 March 1972) * ''Continuavano a chiamarli... er più e er meno'', directed by Giuseppe Orlandini (24 March 1972) * '' Two Sons of Trinity'', directed by Osvaldo Civirani (26 July 1972) * ''I due gattoni a nove code... e mezza ad Amsterdam'', directed by Osvaldo Civirani (31 July 1972) * ''Storia di fifa e di coltello – Er seguito d' Er Più'', directed by Mario Amendola (14 August 1972) * ''Paolo il freddo'', directed by

(11 April 1974) * ''

Farfallon ''Farfallon'' is a 1974 Italian comedy film directed by Riccardo Pazzaglia starring the comic duo Franco and Ciccio. It is a parody of ''Papillon''. Plot Farfallon is a Sicilian pastry chef who finds himself in prison for attempted murder and is ...

'', directed by Riccardo Pazzaglia (12 August 1974) * ''

The Exorciccio ''L'esorciccio'' (internationally released as ''The Exorcist: Italian Style'' and ''The Exorciccio''; the title puns on "Ciccio," a hypocorism of Francesco) is a 1975 Italian Horror comedy film written, directed, produced and starring Ciccio In ...

'' (''L'Esorciccio''), directed by Ciccio Ingrassia (1975) * ''Crema, cioccolata e pa... prika'', directed by Michele Massimo Tarantini (15 August 1981) * ''

Kaos KaOS is a desktop Linux distribution that features the latest version of the KDE desktop environment, the LibreOffice office suite, and other popular software applications that use the Qt toolkit. History The first version of KaOS was released ...

'' (from the tales by Luigi Pirandello, directed by Paolo & Vittorio Taviani (23 November 1984)

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Franchi, Franco 1928 births 1992 deaths Male actors from Palermo Italian male film actors Italian male comedians 20th-century Italian male actors 20th-century Italian comedians Comedians from Palermo