Nationality: Italian
Birthdate: 03/23/1922
Birthplace: Cremona, Italy
Death Date: 10/27/1990
Former accountant who entered film in the 1950s and gained recognition for his roles in the dark, misanthropic comedies of Marco Ferreri, notably "Queen Bee" (1963) and "The Ape Woman" (1964). Tognazzi has also featured in the works of Mario Monicelli and Dino Risi and is best known to international audiences as the gay nightclub owner in "La Cage aux Folles" (1979) opposite Michel Serrault, who played his transvestite wife. He won a best actor award at Cannes for Bernardo Bertolucci's "Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man" (1981). Son Ricky Tognazzi is also an actor.
Police Commissioner Assenza
Pope Honorious/Pope Honorious' Double
Worked as bookkeeper in a salami factory at age 15
1950
Film debut in "I Caddetti di Guascogna"
1980
American screen debut in "Sunday Lovers"
