Massimo Troisi

Informally known as "the Steve Martin of Italy", Troisi was a popular Italian film star and director during the 1980s and 1990s. Outside Italy, Troisi is best-known for his role in "Il Postino" (The Postman), which was released in 1995. He literally gave his life for that movie, continuing on with production despite knowledge of a chronic heart condition that killed him in 1994, mere weeks after filming was complete.

He was born near Naples and began his acting/directing career in La Smorfia, a travelling three-person satire group. Afterwards he spent a few years on television and eventually moved on to films.

Films directed by Troisi (in which he also acted):

• "Ricomincio Da Tre" (1980)
• "Scusate il Ritardo" (1982)
• "Non Ci Resta Che Piangere" (1984)
• "Le Vie Del Signore Sono Finite" (1987)
• "Pensavo Fosse Amore Invece Era un Calesse" (1992)
• "Il Postino" (1995)

Films in which he acted:

• "No Grazie, Il Caffé Mi Rende Nervoso" (1982) directed by Lodovico Gasparini
• "Hotel Colonial" (1987) directed by Cinzia Torrini
• "Splendor" (1988) directed by Ettore Scola
• "Che Ora E" (1989) directed by Ettore Scola
• "Il Viaggio Di Capitan Fracassa" (1990) directed by Ettore Scola