Nino Manfredi, at 83; was Italian film star and director
ROME -- Italian film star Nino Manfredi died yesterday after suffering a stroke months ago, the Italian government announced. He was 83.
Mr. Manfredi worked with some of the greatest Italian directors and appeared in more than 100 productions during his 54-year screen career.
In 1968, he starred in "Straziami, Ma di Baci Saziami" ("Torture Me But Kill Me with Kisses") by Risi; and a year later in "Nell'Anno del Signore" ("The Conspirators") by Luigi Magni.
In 1973, he played an Italian immigrant in "Pane e Cioccolata" ("Bread and Chocolate").
One of his greatest successes came a year later with "C'eravamo Tanto Amati" ("We All Loved Each Other So Much").
He started his career as a stage actor, but soon shifted to the big screen, where he became a mainstay in many "commedia all'italiana" films.
In the early 1970s, Mr. Manfredi won a place in the heart of many Italians with a TV performance as Geppetto, the puppetmaker who creates Pinocchio.
Mr. Manfredi also directed, winning the award for best first work at the Cannes Film Festival for his 1971 film "Per Grazia Ricevuta" ("Between Miracles").
In 2003, the Venice Film Festival gave him a lifetime achievement award, but Mr. Manfredi -- already ailing -- could not go to the Lido. 