Italian actor Gianni Cavina dies at 81

Italian actor Gianni Cavina died between the night of March 25 and 26, 2022 in Bologna at age 81 after a long illness. The news was announced by director Pupi Avati, a close friend who directed Cavina in numerous films, including the upcoming "Dante" set for release in September. Born in Bologna in 1940, Cavina began his career at the Teatro Stabile di Bologna under Franco Parenti, then worked in cabaret with Lucio Dalla. He made his film debut in 1968 in Raffaele Andreassi's "Flashback" and became known for comedic roles in Italian sex comedies. His long collaboration with Avati produced dozens of films, including "Thomas – Gli indemoniati," "La mazurka del barone della santa e del fico fiorone" (with Ugo Tognazzi and Paolo Villaggio), "Tutti defunti… tranne i morti," "Le strelle nel fosso," "Dancing Paradise," "Gli amici del bar Margherita," and "Il signor Diavolo" (2019). He also wrote screenplays for films like "Bordella" and "La casa dalle finestre che ridono," played Inspector Sarti in the Rai TV series from 1991 to 1994, and won the Nastro d'Argento for best supporting actor in 1997 for Avati's "Festival."