Gigi Ballista

Gigi Ballista (1 December 1918 – 2 August 1980) was an Italian film and television actor. He appeared in 60 films between 1961 and 1980.

Life and career Born in Florence, Ballista graduated in law, then he started working as a PR consultant in the field of advertising and industrial documentaries. He debuted as an actor at a mature age in the early 1960s with some minor roles, but his breakout came in 1966 with a role of weight in Pietro Germi's The Birds, the Bees and the Italians.

Following the critical and commercial success of the film, Ballista decided to pursue a professional career as an actor, and he became, mainly thanks to his characteristic hoarse and dysphonic voice, one of the most recognizable character actors in Italian cinema and television.

Selected filmography

A Day for Lionhearts (1961) - Il frate I maniaci (1964) - Count at the party (segment "l'hobby") (uncredited) The Dreamer (1965) - Medico The Birds, the Bees and the Italians (1966) - Giacinto Castellan How I Learned to Love Women (1966) - Sir Archibald Pleasant Nights (1966) - Luca di Montemerlo Sex Quartet (1966) - The Priest (segment "Fata Marta") The Seventh Floor (1967) - Dr. Claretta The Climax (1967) - Don Michele L'Homme qui trahit la mafia (1967) - Aldo Galileo (1968) - Trial Judge Torture Me But Kill Me with Kisses (1968) - Engineer Emma Hamilton (1968) - Le cardinal Ruffo Colpo di sole (1968) Fellini Satyricon (1969) - (uncredited) The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1969) - Padre Polenta Una storia d'amore (1970) - Borgognini Kill the Fatted Calf and Roast It (1970) - Il medico Lady Caliph (1970) - Il principe industriale The Blonde in the Blue Movie (1971) - Commendatore Silvio Borellon Roma Bene (1971) - Vitozzi Trastevere (1971) - Il conte Do Not Commit Adultery (1971) - Padre Spiridone Snow Job (1972) Beati i ricchi (1972) - Commendatore Black Turin (1972) - Marinotti House of 1000 Pleasures (1973) - Genie in lamp Giovannona Long-Thigh (1973) - Commendatore La Noce Crescete e moltiplicatevi (1973) - Dottore Blume in Love (1973) - Older Man The Lady Has Been Raped (1973) - Carini Stregoni di città (1973) Brigitte, Laura, Ursula, Monica, Raquel, Litz, Florinda, Barbara, Claudia, e Sofia le chiamo tutte... anima mia (1974) Unbelievable Adventures of Italians in Russia (1974) - Dottore Fischia il sesso (1974) - Mr. Lewis Claretta and Ben (1974) - Gino's Friend Stavisky (1974) - Gaston Henriet Sesso in testa (1974) - Father of Carletto Poker in Bed (1974) - Il commendator Gervasio Caminata Policewoman (1974) - L'avvocato Piange... il telefono (1975) The Family Vice (1975) - The Count The Sunday Woman (1975) - Vollero Mala, amore e morte (1975) - avv. Carlo Alberto Giorgi La banca di Monate (1975) - The Bishop Il giustiziere di mezzogiorno (1975) - Direttore Rossetti Il fratello (1975) La madama (1976) - Il Veneziano Confessions of a Lady Cop (1976) - Questore Moretti Salon Kitty (1976) - General La dottoressa sotto il lenzuolo (1976) - Prof. Ciotti Febbre da cavallo (1976) - Conte Dallara Un amore targato Forlì (1976) Cassiodoro il più duro del pretorio (1976) La compagna di banco (1977) - Girardi Midnight Express (1978) - Chief Judge Liquirizia (1979) - Bartolozzi I Hate Blondes (1980) - Psychiatrist L'assistente sociale tutto pepe (1981) - Bishop