Sergio Tòfano (20 August 1886 – 28 October 1973) was an Italian actor, director, playwright, scene designer and illustrator. Tofano was born in Rome. In 1909, he made his first appearance on stage with Ermete Novelli, then joined Virgilio Talli's company (1913–23). He soon specialized as a comic actor, giving his role a new elegance and complexity. He worked with other famous actors and directors: Dario Niccodemi (1924–27); Luigi Almirante and Giuditta Rissone (1927–30), Elsa Merlini, Vittorio De Sica, Evi Maltagliati, Gino Cervi etc. During those years, he made his famous performances as Doctor Knock in Jules Romains' play, and as Professor Toti in Luigi Pirandello's Pensaci, Giacomino!. He also led important theatrical firms. After the Second World War, he worked with the most important directors, like Luchino Visconti and Giorgio Strehler. In 1917 Tofano invented, for a children's magazine, Il Corriere dei Piccoli, a famous character, Signor Bonaventura, whose adventures lasted for more than forty years. He used to sign as Sto. He wrote and illustrated several children's books and illustrated The Chess Set in the Mirror by Massimo Bontempelli. Partial filmography Tigrana (1916, dir. by Edouard Micheroux de Dillon) The Private Secretary (1931, dir. by Goffredo Alessandrini) - Otello, l'usciere Your Money or Your Life (1932, dir. by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia) - Daniele The Telephone Operator (1932, dir. by Nunzio Malasomma) - Bàttigo - the tenor Paprika (1933, dir. by Carl Boese) - Checco The Girl with the Bruise (1933, dir. by E. W. Emo) Seconda B (1934, dir. by Goffredo Alessandrini) - Professore Monti Lohengrin (1936, dir. by Nunzio Malasomma) - Giulio The Two Misanthropists (1937, dir. by Amleto Palermi) - Cosimo Bertelet Tonight at Eleven (1938, dir. by Oreste Biancoli) - Il colonnello Muffon Jeanne Doré (1938, dir. by Mario Bonnard) - Fanard Inventiamo l'amore (1938, dir. by Camillo Mastrocinque) - Borghetti The Sons of the Marquis Lucera (1939, dir. by Amleto Palermi) - Vigna Eravamo sette sorelle (1939, dir. by Mario Mattoli) - Antonio, il maggiordomo Le sorprese del divorzio (1939, dir. by Guido Brignone) - Fernand Corbulon Father For a Night (1939, dir. by Mario Bonnard) - Edmondo Fontages Follie del secolo (1939, dir. by Amleto Palermi) - Il barone Giorgio The Silent Partner (1939) - L'affaristo in borsa Validità giorni dieci (1940, dir. by Camillo Mastrocinque) - Maurizio Giù il sipario (1940, dir. by Raffaello Matarazzo) - Il capocomico La granduchessa si diverte