Italian cinema is mourning the loss of veteran actor and voice artist Pino Colizzi, who passed away on Feb. 15 in Rome at the age of 88. The news was first reported by the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, which noted that no cause of death was disclosed.
Colizzi was beloved by generations of Italian film fans for his extraordinary dubbing work, becoming the Italian voice behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic characters. Over the course of a prolific career spanning decades, he lent his voice to major international stars including Jack Nicholson, James Caan, Richard Dreyfuss, Omar Sharif, and Franco Nero.
Among his most notable contributions was dubbing James Caan’s Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. He later voiced both Sonny and Vito Corleone — the latter originally portrayed by Marlon Brando — in The Godfather Part II. Colizzi also provided the Italian voice for Christopher Reeve’s titular hero in Superman, as well as Hooper, played by Richard Dreyfuss, in Jaws.
His voice work extended to animation and family classics. Colizzi dubbed the title character in Disney’s Robin Hood, Julius Caesar in Asterix the Gaul, and even a sportscaster in the Goofy short Tennis Racquet. In addition, he oversaw the Italian dubbing for all films directed by Franco Zeffirelli, solidifying his reputation as one of the industry’s most respected dubbing supervisors.
Beyond the recording booth, Colizzi also built a strong on-screen career. Classic television audiences may remember him as Jobab in Zeffirelli’s landmark 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth. He also provided the Italian dubbing for the series’ central figure, portrayed by Robert Powell.
In 1999, Colizzi appeared in Zeffirelli’s Tea with Mussolini, acting alongside Maggie Smith, Cher, and Judi Dench. He portrayed Dino Grandi, further demonstrating his range as a performer.
The news of his passing was confirmed by friend and former co-star Tony Palazzo, who paid tribute in a heartfelt message. Recalling their collaborations in the 1987 stage play The Reverend and later in the film I wanted pants, Palazzo remembered Colizzi as “a great voice actor and good actor,” praising his “very pleasant and brilliant voice” and honoring him as both an artist and a person.
Colizzi continued acting into the 2010s before turning his focus toward literature later in life. His legacy, however, remains firmly rooted in cinema history. In a country where dubbing is considered an art form, Pino Colizzi’s voice became inseparable from some of the greatest films ever made, leaving an indelible mark on Italian audiences and the film industry alike.