Origins & Early Life

Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Angelo Ducas Comneno Porfirogenito Gagliardi De Curtis di Bisanzio (born Antonio Vincenzo Stefano Clemente; 15 February 1898 – 15 April 1967), best known by his stage name Totò (Italian: [toˈtɔ]), or simply as Antonio de Curtis, and nicknamed il principe della risata ("the prince of laughter"), was an Italian actor, comedian, screenwriter, dramatist, poet, singer and lyricist. He is commonly referred to as one of the most popular Italian performers of all time. While best known for his funny and sometimes cynical comic characters in theatre and then many successful comedy films made from the 1940s to the 1960s, he also worked with many iconic Italian film directors in dramatic roles. Totò was born Antonio Vincenzo Stefano Clemente on 15 February 1898 in the Rione Sanità, a poor district of Naples, the illegitimate son of Anna Clemente (1881–1947), a Sicilian woman from Palermo, and the Neapolitan marquis Giuseppe de Curtis (1873–1944).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His father did not legally recognize him, and Totò so regretted growing up without a father that in 1933, at age 35, he managed to have the marquis Francesco Maria Gagliardi Focas adopt him in exchange for...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Luthuli — Contemporary (Born in 1898) (1898): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• Alexander Calder — Contemporary (Born in 1898) (1898): Pioneering American sculptor celebrated for kinetic mobiles and monumental abstract forms.
• Alvar Aalto — Contemporary (Born in 1898) (1898): Pioneering Finnish architect whose total art approach defined modern Nordic design.
• Akshay Kumar — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• Arthur Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder — Contemporary (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering RAF officer, instrumental in WWII Mediterranean and North African campaigns.
• Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib — Shared historical date (02-15 · Died) (653): Paternal uncle and wealthy merchant of the Prophet Muhammad; ancestor of the Abbasid Caliphate.
• Alexander Borodin — Shared historical date (02-15 · Died) (1887): Russian Romantic composer, chemist, and physician known for 'Prince Igor' and symphonies.
• A. Philip Randolph — Shared historical date (04-15 · Born) (1889): Pioneer labor unionist and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality.
• Abraham Lincoln — Shared historical date (04-15 · Died) (1865): 16th President of the United States; guided the nation through the Civil War.
• 1898 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1898
• February 15 (02-15) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 15
• 1967 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1967
• April 15 (04-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on April 15