Gianfranco Barra, one of the most versatile and beloved actors in Italian cinema, has died in Rome at the age of 84. With a career that ranged from comedy to drama, Barra left an indelible mark in numerous films and television series. Born April 5, 1940, in Rome, he made his big-screen debut in 1968, when he starred alongside Alberto Sordi in Luigi Zampa's famous film "Il medico della mutua" (“Be Sick... It's Free”). Over the years, he has worked with Italy's greatest directors, from Steno and Dino Risi to the Vanzina brothers and Pupi Avati. His film career includes a wide range of performances, from the brilliant one in Billy Wilder's "Che cosa è successo tra mio padre e tua madre?” (“Avanti!”) to more dramatic roles in films such as Nanni Loy's "In Prison Awaiting Trial”. Some of his most successful films include "Policewoman", "Il padrone e l'operaio" (“The Boss and the Worker”), and "Double Murder", as well as cult comedies such as "Eccezzziunale... veramente" (“Really SSSupercool”) and "Sapore di mare" (“Time for Living”), directed by the Vanzinas. Barra has also distinguished himself in the world of TV drama, participating in series such as "Il barone" and "Positano", and working in committed films such as Giuseppe Ferrara's "Giovanni Falcone". His most recent appearances include participation in Federico Zampaglione's "Nero bifamiliare" (“A Dream House Nightmare”) and Pupi Avati's "La cena per farli conoscere" (A Dinner for Them to Meet”). Appreciated for his ability to switch with ease from comic to dramatic roles, Gianfranco Barra has written an important page of Italian cinema and television, always bringing with him that unique ability to be the perfect character actor, a performer capable of bringing memorable characters to life.