Renzo Ricci (1893-1978) was an eminent Italian actor and theatre director who also left a significant mark in cinema. His film career, though less prolific than his theatrical one, saw him star in memorable roles, often complex and multifaceted.

He collaborated with prominent directors such as Vittorio De Sica in *Teresa Venerdì* (1941), where he played the charming and ambiguous Dr. Talamonti. He also appeared in Mario Soldati's *Malombra* (1942), in the role of the tormented Count Marino, and in Alessandro Blasetti's *La cena delle beffe* (1942).

Ricci excelled at portraying elegant characters, often aristocratic or intellectual, with complex and sometimes ambiguous psychologies. His acting style was characterized by refined diction and an authoritative stage presence, which lent his characters an aura of detachment and depth. His portrayal of Geppetto in Luigi Comencini's celebrated television miniseries *Le avventure di Pinocchio* (1972) remains among his most iconic.