Most famous Apulian comedians

Puglia, in addition to being a wonderful region, visited every year by thousands of tourists, is also the land that gave birth to many artists, including comedians who have become famous throughout Italy (and also in the rest of the world) . In this article we will tell you about some of the most famous Apulian comedians who have made the history of Italian television and cinema and beyond.

Checco Zalone

Checco Zalone, pseudonym of Luca Medici, is perhaps one of the most famous and loved Apulian actors and comedians. Every time his films come out at the cinema, they are a guaranteed success: 4 of his films even appear in the list of the 10 highest grossing films in Italy.

Born in Capurso, in the province of Bari, Zalone graduated in law and in 2005 performed on the stage of Zelig Off and subsequently of Zelig Circus, thus achieving popularity with his parodies of the most famous Italian and foreign songs.

In May 2009, filming began on his first film, “Cado dalle nubi”, a huge success, followed by “Che bella giornata” in 2011, “Sole a catinelle” in 2013, “Quo Vado?” of 2016 and “Tolo Tolo” of 2020: films in which the great social issues (homosexuality, emigration, racism, integration) are treated in a light and ironic way, to make people reflect with a smile.

Lino Banfi

Among the most famous Apulian comedians we cannot fail to mention Lino Banfi, a true institution of Puglia, known throughout Italy.

Born as Pasquale Zagaria in Andria, the general public was able to appreciate Lino Banfi more recently for his interpretations of grandfather Libero in “Un Medico in famiglia” (a role he held from 1998 to 2016), in the role of Commissioner Zagaria and the ‘coach Oronzo Canà (from the 80s). But his career began many years earlier in the Italian sexy comedy, with immortal films from the 60s and 70s that can still make us laugh today.

A humble and good character, loved by adults and children, who in 2019 also became a member of the Italian commission at UNESCO.

Pio and Amedeo

Two other very famous and much loved Apulian comedians arrive directly from Foggia: Pio and Amedeo. The duo, fresh from the great success of the television show “Felicissima sera”, broadcast on Canale 5 in recent months, has many participations in successful programs and shows in their CV.

Their satire and their jokes (even a little racy and pretentious) draw laughter from audiences all over Italy, who have learned to appreciate them first as correspondents for “Le Iene“, then in “Emigratis” and later also during the evening show of “Amici” by Maria de Filippi.

Their debut at the cinema, with the film “Amici come noi” in 2014, was a huge success at the box office.

Pino Campagna

Also from Foggia comes another famous Apulian comedian: Pino Campagna, known to the general public above all for the catchphrase “Papi, ci sei? Ce la fai? Sei connesso?” of his most famous character, the Papy Ultras.

He began his career as a folk singer in the 80s but then approached the world of cabaret, becoming known to the general public first with his participation in “La sai l’ultima?” and then to “Zelig Circus” from 2003 onwards.

Uccio de Santis

Uccio de Santis is a famous comedian from Bari, known above all for the television sitcom “Mudù” which has been broadcast on Telenorba since 2001, with his satirical and irreverent sketches which have also gone viral on the web.

Numerous participations in successful films such as “Le barzellette” by Carlo Vanzina with Gigi Proietti and “Giudice Mastrangelo” with Diego Abatantuono and Amanda Sandrelli.

In 2019 he also joined the cast of the Rai 2 broadcast “Made in Sud”.

Other Apulian comedians

Other famous Apulian actors are Emanuele de Nicolò (the famous Manuel and Manuel from the Very Strong Family, a sitcom that airs on Telenorba) together with Alfredo Navarra and Cinzia Clemente.

And from Trani Marco and Chicco, comedians from Zelig and Made in Sud and finally, from the cast of Mudù, Giuseppe Guida.