Lello Arena


Raffaele "Lello" Arena is an Italian actor and comics writer. He was also an occasional film director and screenwriter.

Life and career

Born in Naples as Raffaele Arena, he was the son of two workers in a tobacco factory. In 1969, at a very young age, Arena formed the cabaret ensemble "La Smorfia" together with Massimo Troisi and Enzo Decaro. In 1978 and 1979, the group appeared in two RAI variety shows obtaining a great success. The group disbanded in 1980 and for some time Arena kept on collaborating with his friend Troisi, starring in his three first films. He won a David di Donatello for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Troisi's Scusate il ritardo.
Later Arena focused his career on television, appearing in a large number of variety shows; he occasionally came back to cinema, even making his debut as a director in 1989 with Chiari di luna. He is also active on stage.
Arena also worked as a comics writer, notably for Lupo Alberto and Topolino.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1981I'm Starting from ThreeRaffaele 'Rafè' Sodano, aka Lello
1982No Thanks, Coffee Makes Me NervousMichele Giuffrida
1983Scusate il ritardoTonino
1984Cuori nella tormentaRaffaele Cuoco
1984Bertoldo, Bertoldino e CacasennoKing Alboino
1987Il coraggio di parlareDon Angelo
1988Chiari di lunaDavide Ruffo
1995Facciamo paradisoCalabrone
1998You LaughRocco
2003Totò Sapore e la magica storia della pizzaPulcinellaVoice
2008Ho ammazzato Berlusconi
2011Rien VaCustode
2014La scuola più bella del mondoArturo Moscariello
2015Wondrous BoccaccioDuca Tancredi
2017VeleniMelograno
2018Quando sarò bambino