Rocco Papaleo

Rocco Antonio Papaleo (born 16 August 1958) is an Italian actor, film director and singer.

Born in Lauria, Basilicata, he moved to Rome to study math at university, while working as a plongeur. He left university to attend the theatre school. He made his theatrical debut in 1984 with Lauria Swing Story, written and directed by him.

In 1990, he made his first cinema appearance in Dark Illness, directed by Mario Monicelli and appeared in the television series Classe di ferro by Bruno Corbucci. He is known for his long collaboration with actors and directors Leonardo Pieraccioni and Giovanni Veronesi. He also starred in films like Amalfi: Rewards of the Goddess (2009) by Hiroshi Nishitani, What a Beautiful Day (2010) by Gennaro Nunziante, Escort in Love (2011) by Massimiliano Bruno and Pinocchio (2019) by Matteo Garrone.

He made his debut as a film director in Basilicata coast to coast (2010), winning a Nastro d'Argento and a David di Donatello award for Best New Director. He presented the Sanremo Music Festival 2012, along with Gianni Morandi and Ivana Mrazova