The great actor Roberto Herlitzka has died at the age of 86

A life dedicated to , and at the cinema.

He died at 86 Robert Herlitzka, an actor with a long and rich career in theater and cinema. Born in Turin on October 23, 1937, Herlitzka has worked with some of the greatest masters of Italian cinema, from Lina Wertmüller to Luigi Magni, from Marco Bellocchio, for whom he played Aldo Moro in "Buongiorno notte", to Paolo Sorrentino. He has also appeared on several television shows, including the popular TV series Boris.

Training and First Successes

After graduating from the Silvio D'Amico Academy of Dramatic Arts, he trained artistically at the school of Orazio Costa. The name Roberto Herlitzka recalls the theater of the great classics, from Shakespeare and Molière to Chekhov and Genet. As an interpreter but also as a director, one of his warhorses was "Ex Hamlet", a rewriting of the Shakespearean masterpiece. In the theater he was directed by Antonio Calenda, Gabriele Lavia and Luigi Squarzina, among others.

Film Career

Cinema arrived in the 70s with Lina Wertmuller who wanted him in many films such as “Film d'amore e d'anarchia” and “Scherzo del destino”, and also in theatrical works. In the glorious era of Rai dramas, the talented Herlitzka was among the protagonists of many works including “La Certosa di Parma” by Mauro Bolognini, alongside Andrea Occhipinti, Lucia Bosé, Ottavia Piccolo and Laura Betti, and “Marcellino pane e vino” by Luigi Comencini. His talent and charisma attracted great directors: between theater and cinema, a giant career with films such as “Oci ciornie”, “Gli occhiali d'oro” and “In nome del popolo sovrano” with Alberto Sordi.

The prices

Herlitzka has received many awards in his career. He won the Ubu Award as best Italian actor in the 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 theater seasons. In 2004 he also won a Nastro d'argento as best actor and a David di Donatello as best supporting actor for his portrayal of Aldo Moro in «Buongiorno, notte» by Marco Bellocchio. Herlitzka also received a Gassman Award as best actor for the theater shows «Lasciami andare madre» and «Lighea».

The Famous Roles

Among his most famous roles, in addition to that of Aldo Moro, was that of the cardinal obsessed with cooking, played in the Oscar-winning film "The Great Beauty" by Paolo Sorrentino. Also unforgettable is his participation in two episodes of the first season of Boris, in which he played Orlando Serpentieri. His versatility and indomitable spirit have left an indelible mark on the Italian artistic scene.