Totò, The King of Italian Comedy, And His Successors

It’s Totò’s birthday, the king of Italian comedy; will anyone ever replace him in the hearts of Italians?

He’s been gone almost 50 years, and it’s still hard to find an Italian that will admit that anyone has been even half as funny, but here’s some of the people who’ve been trying to make us laugh.

Young directors like Sydney Sibilia are coming out with fresh, new comedies like his Smetto Quando Voglio. Watch while a bunch of college professors try to pull off a drug store heist.

Carlo Verdone, already an icon of Italian comedy, explains Italy to school children.

It’s hard to argue with Checco Zalone’s success. Watch a compilation of some of his best work.

Aldo , Giovanni and Giacomo rarely let us down. This is a scene from Tu La Conosci Claudia, with Paola Cortellesi

And speaking of Paola Cortellesi, she’s turning into the Italian Lucille Ball. Watch her flip her lid over Raoul Bova in Scusate Se Esisto.

Claudio Bisio is the perfect straight man in the adorable Benvenuti Al Sud.

There’s one funny scene after another in Pane e Tulipani, but here’s Rosalba meeting Fernando for the first time.

And since it’s his birthday, a little Totò.