Enzo Petito

Enzo Petito
Enzo Petito and Nino Manfredi in Made in Italy (1965)
Born	Vincenzo Squatriti
Occupation	Actor

Enzo Petito was an Italian film and stage character actor. A theatre actor under Eduardo De Filippo in the 1950s in the Teatro San Ferdinando of Naples, with whom he was professionally closely associated, Petito also appeared in several of his films, often co-starring Eduardo or/and brother, Peppino De Filippo, brothers who are considered to be amongst the greatest Italian actors of the 20th century. Petito played minor roles in some memorable commedia all'Italiana movies directed by the likes of Dino Risi and Mario Monicelli in the late 1950s and early 1960s, often appearing alongside actors such as Nino Manfredi, Alberto Sordi, Peppino De Filippo, Anna-Maria Ferrero, and Totò.

Although never a leading actor, he made a number of small appearances as character actors alongside Italy's leading film stars in films throughout the early to mid-1960s and is arguably best known in world cinema for his role as the store keeper in the Sergio Leone classic Spaghetti Western film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in 1966. His roles ranged from storekeepers and cobblers to priests and homeless men. His role of most esteem, however, is perhaps as Napoleon in Sergio Corbucci's comedy Chi si ferma è perduto in 1963.

His great grandfather was Antonio Petito (1822 – 1876), also a Neapolitan, who was an esteemed stage actor, known for his roles as a Pulcinella in the commedia dell'arte theatrical scene. His first role in film was in Esodo Pratelli's comedy, A che servono questi quattrini?, in 1942, playing a notary alongside Eduardo De Filippo, Peppino De Filippo and Clelia Matania. The film was based on a play by Armando Curcio and adapted for the screen by Mario Massa. This role was significant as Petito was later part of the successful theater company "La Scarpetta", at the Teatro San Ferdinando of Naples, which was directed by Eduardo De Filippo, and he featured alongside actors on stage such as Ugo D'Alessio, Pietro De Vico and Franco Sportelli throughout the 1950s. It is Eduardo De Filippo indeed which Enzo Petito is most associated professionally with.