Biography

He was born in Milan in 1955. His mother, Rosa, was from Como (a city in Northern Italy), and his father, Matteo, was from Puglia (the "heel" of the Italian peninsula). He grew up in a suburbia quarter of Milan. His mother worked as a wardrobe maid at the "Derby", a well-known theater where lots of the most popular Italian comedians performed. Diego's uncle owned the place, which Diego visited since when he was a child. He was first employed as a light technician, then he began to perform as the "terruncello", the guy who lives in the North of Italy but still retains his Southerner accent. He began his career as a comedian at the end of the 70es, but he really succeeded in the 80es with blockbuster Italian comedies. His first dramatic role was in 1985 with Pupi Avati's movie "Regalo di Natale", which acknowledged him as a truly gifted actor. In 1985 he met Gabriele Salvatores, who directed him in many important movies (e.g. the Academy Award winner Mediterraneo). His filmography witnesses his versatile acting. Recently he starred in the Italian Tv serial "Il giudice Mastrangelo", where he has the role of a judge from Milan who returns to his native Puglia to solve mysteries and crimes. His entire career seems to pay tribute to his Northern and Southern origins.
- IMDb mini biography by: manutwo

Abatantuono was born in Milan to a father of Apulian origin and a mother from Como. The latter worked as wardrober in a Milanese jazz and later cabaret club, "Derby", whose owner was Abatantuono's uncle. He started to work at "Derby" first in lighting, then as artistical director and later as an actor. After a stint with the music-comical group Gatti di VicoloMiracoli and several minor film roles, he returned to work at Derby where he was discovered by famous TV showman, film director and talent scout Renzo Arbore, who cast him in his 1980 film "Il Pap'occhio". Here started Abantantuono's first successful career in the recurrent role of a poorly cultivated immigrant from southern Italy (the "Terruncello"), speaking a personal form of slang which was to become a kind of brand. His most successful performance was in the 1982 cult favorite "Eccezzziunale... veramente", for which he also wrote the screenplay. He plays three different roles as a tifoso (fan) of Italy's three main football teams: A.C. Milan, Internazionale, and Juventus. He reprised all three roles for the 2006 sequel "Eccezzziunale... veramente - Capitolo secondo..." me, which featured cameos from then-current Milan players Paolo Maldini, Massimo Ambrosini, Alessandro Costacurta, Dida, Andriy Shevchenko, and Gennaro Gattuso. Milan were actually participating in the group stage of the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League at the time the players' scenes were filmed. Abatantuono's first role as a dramatic actor came in 1986, when he was called by "PupiAvati" for his Regalo di Natale. Though occasionally returning to comical roles, Abatantuono was featured in numerous movies by his friend Gabriele Salvatores, including the Academy Award winner "Mediterraneo", "Nirvana" and "Io non ho paura". Abatantuono is also a popular figure of Italian television shows. He is well known to be a long-time A.C. Milan fan.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous

Diego Abatantuono is a Italian theater and film actor, screenwriter. Diego began working at the Derby club as a lighting technician in his youth, then became an artistic director, and later an actor. He got into cinema thanks to the comedy group I Gatti di Vicolo Miracoli, who took him with them to an audition. He was noticed by director Romolo Guerrieri, who offered him a role in the film Young, Violent, Dangerous (1976). He participated in such comedies as Saxofone (1978), Fantozzi contro tutti (1980). Then he returned to work at the Derby cabaret club, where he was noticed by a television showman, film director and talent scout. In 1982, he played the main role - Achille Cotone - in the crime comedy directed by Carlo Vanzina - Viuuulentemente mia (1982). Abatantuono is a popular figure in Italian television shows.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tango Papa

Is frequently in the films of Gabriele Salvatores

He was typecast in the role of the funny southerner ("terrunciello") in his early movies; the turning point in his career came with Pupi Avati's Christmas Present (1986), when he showed good qualities as a dramatic actor.

Has three children: Marta (b. 1985) from his former wife Rita; Matteo (b. 1995) and Marco (b. 1997) from his companion of 20 years, Giulia Begnotti.

An avid fan of the A.C. Milan football club.

Three-time winner of the Nastro d'Argento award.