It was 40 years ago, to the day, that the first film with the character of Ugo Fantozzi, ably played by Italian actor Paolo Villaggio, went public.

It was simply called “Fantozzi”, and since then the unlucky character has brought about laughs to all those who have followed his adventures.

In all, 10 films were issued between 1975 and 1999, and year after year re-runs of the movies continue to be shown on Italian TV stations.

Fantozzi was created in 1968 out of a television programme.

 

Fantozzi is the protagonist of eight novels too.