Lauro Gazzolo (born Ilario Gazzolo; 15 October 1900 – 2 October 1970) was an Italian actor and voice actor.

Biography

Born in Nervi, Gazzolo began his career on screen in 1938 starring in the comedy film The Document and became more successful after the end of World War II. A popular character actor, he appeared in at least 106 films and played many roles between 1939 and 1966. Among his most popular filmography included The Jester's Supper, Four Steps in the Clouds and The Band of Honest Men. In his later films, he appeared alongside his son Nando Gazzolo in the 1961 film Constantine and the Cross. This would mark Nando's film debut. As a voice actor, Gazzolo dubbed foreign films into the Italian language. He was the official Italian voice actor of Walter Brennan and Bud Abbott. He even dubbed over the voices of Sam Jaffe, George Hayes, Peter Lorre, Alan Napier, Joseph Egger, Arthur Malet, H. B. Warner, Gary Cooper, Charlie Chaplin, Charley Grapewin and Fernandel in either most of or their iconic film appearances. He was best known for dubbing elderly characters in western films and he was partnered up with his colleague Carlo Romano (Lou Costello's official dubber) in the Abbott and Costello sketches. In Gazzolo's animated roles, he was renowned for dubbing characters in Walt Disney films such as Bashful in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Dandy Crow in Dumbo, The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, Archimedes in The Sword in the Stone, Jock in Lady and the Tramp, Rabbit from 1968 to 1970, Speaker of Goofy's shorts in Californy 'er Bust, Professor Owl, Ludwig Von Drake from 1963 to 1970 and Goofy from 1950s to 1960s.

Personal life

Gazzolo had one son, Nando, from his marriage to Aida Ottaviani Piccolo, who was a radio announcer for EIAR. He also had another son, Virginio, from his marriage to Maria Natalina Robino. Both his sons were voice actors. Gazzolo died in Rome on 2 October 1970, thirteen days before his 70th birthday.

Filmography

Cinema

Voice work

Dubbing

Films (Animation, Italian dub)

Films (Live action, Italian dub)