Ave Ninchi (Ancona, 14 December 1915 – Trieste, 10 November 1997) was an Italian actress of theatre, cinema, and television. A graduate of the National Academy of Dramatic Arts, she established herself in the post-war period as one of the most celebrated and beloved character actresses in Italian cinema. A versatile actress with a strong temperament, she excelled in the roles of working-class, maternal, and forthright women. Her definitive breakthrough came with Luigi Zampa's film *Vivere in pace* (1947), a performance that earned her the Nastro d'Argento for Best Supporting Actress. Her filmography includes collaborations with the greatest actors and directors of the era, with memorable appearances alongside Totò and Aldo Fabrizi in films such as *Guardie e ladri* (1951) and the *La famiglia Passaguai* series. Parallel to her film work, she maintained a solid stage career and, later in life, achieved a new wave of popularity as a television personality, particularly as the host of cooking shows, which solidified her affectionate and down-to-earth image with the general public.