Alvaro Vitali: «I changed women and cars every 3 months, today I live with a 1,200 euro pension»

From the symbol of a generation and of a certain popular cinema thanks to the Pierino saga to the role of supporting actor in the industry, in the hope that someone will give him one last chance to “show it to those who didn’t believe in me”. Alvaro Vitali, 72 years old, has nothing to lose, and entrusts to Republic the memories of a career that brought him success before pushing him to the sidelines as often happens. «I didn’t even know who he was, I went to the cinema to see films with Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia», says Alvaro Vitali recalling Frederick Fellini, the first to give him an opportunity.

«I was 18 and earned 16,000 lire a week. Then I was recruited for a part of Satyricon. Seventy thousand lire a day, for seven days of work». After that film, Fellini called him for other parts: “My popular disposition amused him. He asked me: “Did you like it Juliet of the spirits?” “Yes,” I lied. “And what did you understand?” “Shit, doctor.” Fellini laughed about it». With the first money I earned «I bought a house for grandmother Elena, in via Oderisi da Gubbio, in the Marconi district. I was home with her from age 8 to 32. There were constant quarrels with my mother…” says Vitali.

Success, however, hit him later: «Amarcord it gave me notoriety. The director Nando Cicero, who had been Francesco Rosi’s assistant, was preparing The teacher, with Edwige Fenech. She called me. I had to play a Sicilian pupil who was drooling after her. You couldn’t have asked for anything better: I had always been inspired by Lando Buzzanca », says Vitali, with over fifty films strong. «Was I rich? I changed cars and women every 3 months. I was so famous that I couldn’t go into restaurants», says Alvaro Vitali before facing the darkness and silence that followed. “Then the phone stopped ringing. I don’t understand why. I was very popular. And I still am at 72. They stop me on the street, ask me for selfies. “Alvaro, you really enjoyed it”, they say. I saved Italian comedy cinema », he says. And now? «After a period of depression, I round off by doing shows, in theatres, especially in the South. In Rome, there is little, there is no cult of the evening. I now take 1,200 euros in retirement. They stole a lot of contributions from me ».

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