Carlo Cecchi, a leading figure in Italian theater and cinema in the twentieth and twenty-first century, has died. Born in Florence on January 25, 1939, the actor and director died on January 23 at his residence in Campagnano di Roma, just a few days before his 87th birthday. Cecchi, a pivotal figure for generations of actors and directors, defined an era in Italian cultural history with his voice, rigor, and vision. Critics and scholars have described Cecchi as a true "tightrope walker of the stage", balancing tradition and experimentation with success. After his initial experiences in the 1960s with the Living Theatre and with Eduardo De Filippo, he established the Granteatro cooperative in Florence in 1971. With this organization, he staged works by Shakespeare, Mayakovsky, Brecht, Chekhov, and Molière, thereby establishing an anti-naturalistic acting style that combined Italian popular theater with the European avant-garde. From 1980 until 1995, he oversaw the Niccolini Theater in Florence, developing it into a permanent training facility and a reference point for entire generations of actors. While perpetually associated with the stage, Cecchi also made an immense impact on the film industry. His memorable role in Mario Martone's "The Neapolitan Mathematician" (1992), which garnered him the David di Donatello Award for Best Supporting Actor, is a testament to his talent. Throughout his career, he has garnered multiple Ubu Awards, confirming his status as an acknowledged master of contemporary Italian theater.