Paolo Stoppa

Biography

Paolo Stoppa (June 6, 1906 – May 1, 1988) was a celebrated Italian actor and voice dubber.

Originally hailing from Rome, Stoppa embarked on his theatrical career in 1927, making his mark on the stage before transitioning to film in 1932. His most distinguished theatrical performances occurred post-World War II when he collaborated with renowned director Luchino Visconti. Alongside his wife, actress Rina Morelli, the trio adapted works from prominent playwrights including Chekhov, Shakespeare, and Goldoni, earning critical acclaim for their productions.

In 1960, Stoppa ventured into television with the drama series Vita col padre e con la madre, gaining significant popularity during the 1970s, particularly for his roles in adaptations of crime novels by authors such as Friedrich Dürrenmatt (Il giudice e il suo boia and Il sospetto) and Augusto De Angelis.

Throughout his film career, Stoppa appeared in approximately 194 films from 1932 until his retirement in 1983. His contributions to cinema include classic titles like Miracolo a Milano (1951), Rocco e i suoi fratelli (1960), Viva l'Italia! (1961), Il Gattopardo (1962), La matriarca (1968), and Amici miei atto II (1982). He also featured in Sergio Leone's iconic Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) and had a cameo in Becket (1964).

In addition to his acting skills, Stoppa was a prominent voice dubber, starting in the 1930s, lending his voice to famous stars such as Fred Astaire, Richard Widmark, Kirk Douglas, and Paul Muni.