Marco Tulli

Biography

Marco Tulli (Rome, 1920 – Rome, 1982) was an Italian character actor, best known for playing Smilzo in the Don Camillo film series. Working mainly in supporting roles, he built his career largely in comedy, often playing curious and meddling figures.

Tulli made his screen debut while still a university student, toward the end of the Second World War. Over the following decades he became a prolific performer, appearing in films of very different scales. His work was not confined to the cinema: he worked on stage with Giorgio Strehler and Luciano Lucignani and took part in many editions of Carosello, the Italian television advertising showcase. His legacy is that of a reliable supporting actor in popular comedy, remembered above all for the Don Camillo films.

Key films

• Don Camillo (1952): the first entry in the series, in which he plays Smilzo.
• The Return of Don Camillo (1953): the sequel, in which he returns to the same character.
• The Devil's Joke (1953): a film from his filmography that shows his usual supporting-player profile.
• Roman Holiday (1953): a appearance in one of the period's best-known comedies.
• Death in Venice (1971): a later dramatic title within a career largely built on comedy.