--- name: "Leopoldo Trieste" canonical: "https://film.one/person/leopoldo-trieste" fi1m_id: "leopoldo-trieste" imdb_id: "nm0872689" tmdb_id: 14151 wikidata_id: "Q472419" roles: ["Actor"] born: "3 May 1917" died: "25 January 2003" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 86 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-07T04:24:24.032889+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Leopoldo Trieste ## Identity Leopoldo Trieste - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/leopoldo-trieste - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** leopoldo-trieste - **IMDb ID:** nm0872689 - **TMDB ID:** 14151 - **Wikidata ID:** Q472419 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopoldo_Trieste, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q472419, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0872689/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14151 Actor. Born 3 May 1917 in Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italy. Died 25 January 2003. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 3 May 1917, Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Italy - **Died:** 25 January 2003 - **Active:** 1973–1988 - **Also known as:** Леопольдо Триесте - **Average Fi1m score:** 86, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 90 (3), 1980s 80 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 86 to 79 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Thriller 2, Adventure 1, Crime 1, Family 1, Horror 1 - **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $254m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopoldo_Trieste, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q472419, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0872689/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14151 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Cinema Paradiso*](https://film.one/film/cinema-paradiso.md) (84) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Leopoldo Trieste > Leopoldo Trieste makes small authority look like hard work. His flustered priests and officials are funny without becoming disposable, and we value the sympathy he finds in people who would rather be taken seriously. In *Cinema Paradiso* (1988), Leopoldo Trieste’s Father Adelfio censors the village’s films. The job gives him authority and gives the audience ample reason to find him tiresome. Trieste’s comic timing makes the priest funny enough to be welcome, even when his interference is not. We laughed at Father Adelfio’s censorship because Trieste makes such a serious business of deciding what other people may watch. It is a useful introduction to an actor who could find sympathy for flustered little men without asking us to admire their conduct. Federico Fellini gave him his start as Ivan Cavalli in *The White Sheik* (1952), followed by the aspiring playwright Leopoldo Vannucci in *I Vitelloni* (1953). The put-upon man became a speciality, with resilience keeping the embarrassment from becoming cruel. Pietro Germi’s *Divorce Italian Style* (1961) and *Seduced and Abandoned* (1964) placed him in black comedies and ensembles that suited a distinctive supporting actor. From the 1960s he also worked in international productions, including Roeg’s *Don’t Look Now* (1973), in which he plays the hotel manager. It is another modest position of responsibility, fitting an actor frequently cast as priests and officials. The film’s emotional force belongs to Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie’s convincing marriage, and we would not credit Trieste with work being done elsewhere. We recommend its frightening, deeply felt account of bereavement, but Father Adelfio gives a clearer sense of his particular comic skill. Giuseppe Tornatore’s *Cinema Paradiso* sometimes presses too hard for tears, though Salvatore Cascio and Philippe Noiret make the central friendship persuasive enough to withstand it. Trieste’s comic contribution is a relief from that sweetness, and a reminder that the people interrupting a story can be part of its pleasure. His familiar fluster risks becoming predictable; the sympathy matters because it gives us something to enjoy beyond another embarrassed man. Start with the village priest, then go back to *The White Sheik*. ## Biography Leopoldo Trieste (3 May 1917 – 25 January 2003) was an Italian actor, screenwriter, playwright and occasional director. Born in Reggio Calabria, he began his screen career in the late 1940s and became a prolific character actor, appearing in more than 160 films over five decades. He is known for roles in Federico Fellini’s *I Vitelloni* (1953), Pietro Germi’s *Divorce Italian Style* (1961) and *Seduced and Abandoned* (1964), Francis Ford Coppola’s *The Godfather Part II* (1974) as Signor Roberto, Jean-Jacques Annaud’s *The Name of the Rose* (1986), and Giuseppe Tornatore’s *Cinema Paradiso* (1988) as Father Adelfio. Trieste also played the hotel manager in Nicolas Roeg’s *Don't Look Now* (1973). He received several Nastro d’Argento awards for best supporting actor and worked with directors including Mario Bava and Tinto Brass. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, theguardian.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Cinema Paradiso* (1988), Fi1m 84, as Father Adelfio — [page](https://film.one/film/cinema-paradiso.md) - *The Name of the Rose* (1986), Fi1m 77, as Michele da Cesena — [page](https://film.one/film/the-name-of-the-rose.md) - *The Black Stallion* (1979), Fi1m 87, as Priest — [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-stallion.md) - *The Godfather Part II* (1974), Fi1m 92, as Signor Roberto — [page](https://film.one/film/the-godfather-part-ii.md) - *Don't Look Now* (1973), Fi1m 90, as Hotel Manager — [page](https://film.one/film/dont-look-now.md) ## Complete filmography (127) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Prince's Manuscript* (2000), as Lucio Piccolo - *Marianna Ucrìa* (1997), as Judge Camaleo - *The Star Maker* (1995), as Mute - *Law of Courage* (1994), as Mr. Livatino - *Italia Village* (1994), Actor - *Se non avessi l'amore* (1991), as Amilcare - *Der Erfolg ihres Lebens* (1990), series, as Buratti - *Journey of Love* (1990), as The Carrettiere - *The Dark Sun* (1990), as Alfonso Isgrò - *I promessi sposi* (1989), series, as Lucio - *Cinema Paradiso* (1988), as Father Adelfio — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/cinema-paradiso.md) - *Stray Days* (1988), as Caronte - *Don Bosco* (1988), as Don Borel - *Il coraggio di parlare* (1987), as Don Bruno - *The Name of the Rose* (1986), as Michele da Cesena — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/the-name-of-the-rose.md) - *Momo* (1986), as Beppo - *Quo Vadis?* (1985), series, as Chilone - *Henry IV* (1984), as Psichiatra - *Verdi* (1982), series, as Finola - *Sick Love* (1982), as L'amministratore - *The Marquis of Grillo* (1981), as Padre Sabino - *Flatfoot in Egypt* (1980), as Professor Coriolano Cerullo - *The Black Stallion* (1979), as Priest — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-stallion.md) - *Caligula* (1979), as Charicles - *L'albero della maldicenza* (1978), Actor - *Noi lazzaroni* (1978), series, Actor - *Il giorno dell'Assunta* (1977), as il professore - *Don Giovanni in Sicilia* (1977), series, as Ciccio - *Origins of the Mafia* (1976), series, as Lawyer Mazzullo - *Perdutamente tuo... mi firmo Macaluso Carmelo fu Giuseppe* (1976), as don Calogero Liotti - *Lezioni di violoncello con toccata e fuga* (1976), as Dottor Silenzio - *Hallucination Strip* (1975), Actor - *The Barons* (1975), as Il cerimoniere - *The Private Lesson* (1975), as L'esibizionista - *Son tornate a fiorire le rose* (1975), as Pattavina - *Two hearts, a Chapel* (1975), as Custode cimitero - *A Virgin Named Mary* (1975), as Nicola - *L'ammazzatina* (1975), as Tuccio Langatta - *The Godfather Part II* (1974), as Signor Roberto — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-godfather-part-ii.md) - *The Tree with Pink Leaves* (1974), Actor - *Night Police Station* (1974), as Brigadiere Spanò - *Amore mio non farmi male* (1974), as Avv. Musumeci - *The Profiteer* (1974), as don Vito - *Fischia Il Sesso* (1974), as Leonard - *Le ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis* (1973), Actor - *The Lady Has Been Raped* (1973), as psicanalista - *Don't Look Now* (1973), as Hotel Manager — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/dont-look-now.md) - *Viaggia, ragazza, viaggia, hai la musica nelle vene* (1973), Actor - *My Pleasure Is Your Pleasure* (1973), Actor - *Pulp* (1972), as Marcovic - *Master of Love* (1972), as Husband of Fiora - *Even If I Wanted to Work, What Do I Do?* (1972), as Maresciallo Capriotti - *Una cavalla tutta nuda* (1972), as Marito di Gemmata - *Delusions of Grandeur* (1971), as Giuseppe, Italian inventor of the Bomba - *Trastevere* (1971), as Professor Enrico - *Web of Deception* (1971), Actor - *A Bay of Blood* (1971), as Paolo Fosatti / Paul Fosatti - *Vacation* (1971), as Giudice - *Touch and Go* (1971), as Sergeant of the fort - *Stress* (1971), Actor - *The Golden Ass* (1970), as Rufinio - *The Adventures of Gerard* (1970), as Marshal Henri Massena - *Una macchia rosa* (1970), as The Actor - *Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You* (1970), as Desk Clerk - *The Secret of Santa Vittoria* (1970), as Vittorini - *The Sicilian Clan* (1969), as Turi, le comptable de Vittorio, expert en philatélie - *Le avventure di Ciuffettino* (1969), series, as Professor Sotutto - *Togli le gambe dal parabrezza* (1969), Actor - *The Shoes of the Fisherman* (1968), as Dying Man's Friend - *Be Sick… It's Free* (1968), as Pietro - *La Famiglia Benvenuti* (1968), series, as Peppuccio Mancuso - *Escalation* (1968), as Priest / Guru - *Il marito è mio e l'ammazzo quando mi pare* (1968), Actor - *Il Circolo Pickwick* (1968), series, as Augustus Snodgrass - *The Dress Rehearsal* (1967), Actor - *People of Honor* (1967), as Pasquale - *On My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who...* (1967), as Pescatore - *Soldier's Girl* (1967), as Sergente - *Assicurasi vergine* (1967), as Lorenzino Conozza - *We Still Kill the Old Way* (1967), as deputato comunista - *Shoot Loud, Louder... I Don't Understand* (1966), as Carlo Saporito - *A Matter of Honor* (1966), as Rechtsanwalt Mazzullo - *Weekend, Italian Style* (1965), as Professor Ferri - *A Maiden for the Prince* (1965), as Marchese di Pepara - *The Double Bed* (1965), as Le mari (2 : « Le Monstre ») - *Bianco, rosso, giallo, rosa* (1964), as psichiatra - *Seduced and Duped* (1964), as Don Marcuzzo, il sicario siciliano - *White Voices* (1964), as Orapronobbi - *F.B.I. Operation Baalbeck* (1964), as Pagani - *Via Veneto* (1964), Actor - *Panic Button* (1964), as The painter - *Seduced and Abandoned* (1964), as Barone Rizieri - *Il successo* (1963), as Grassi - *The Eye of the Needle* (1963), as Don Calogero - *Scarlet Eye* (1963), Screenplay - *Divorce Italian Style* (1961), as Carmelo Patanè - *A Day for Lionhearts* (1961), as Michele - *Il peccato degli anni verdi* (1960), Writer, Director - *The Moralist* (1959), as Advertiser #2 - *Adventure in Capri* (1959), as Professore Cavicchio - *Everyone's in Love* (1959), as Cipriani - *I ragazzi dei Parioli* (1959), as l'anarchico - *City at Night* (1958), as (uncredited) · Director, Writer - *A Farewell to Arms* (1957), as Passini - *We Are All Necessary* (1956), as Viajero con boina - *Il coraggio* (1955), as Rag. Rialti - *Destinazione Piovarolo* (1955), as L'ispettore delle ferrovie - *Il padrone sono me* (1955), as Il filosofo - *A Hero of Our Times* (1955), as Aurelio - *Non c'è amore più grande* (1955), First Assistant Director - *Good night… lawyer!* (1955), First Assistant Director - *The Sign of Venus* (1955), as Pittore - *An American in Rome* (1954), as Spectator on TV - *Graziella* (1954), First Assistant Director - *Where Is Freedom?* (1954), as Abramo Piperno - *A Day in Court* (1954), as Leopoldo - *Lo scocciatore* (1953), as L'uomo con la sigaretta · Co-Writer, First Assistant Director - *I Vitelloni* (1953), as Leopoldo Vannucci - *Eager to Live* (1953), Screenplay - *Eran trecento* (1952), Screenplay - *The White Sheik* (1952), as Ivan Cavalli - *Fiamme sulla laguna* (1951), Writer - *Lebbra bianca* (1951), Writer - *The Outlaws* (1950), Screenplay - *The Sky Is Red* (1950), Screenplay - *Lost Youth* (1948), Screenplay - *Shamed* (1947), as Paolo · Story, Screenplay ## Gallery - ![Leopoldo Trieste](https://film.one/media/person/160/gallery-2a3c0f052622.jpg) Leopoldo Trieste — Sedotta_e_abbandonata_Trieste.jpg: Gawain78 at the Italian Wikipedia project. derivative work: Cavarrone, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Sedotta_e_abbandonata_Trieste_cropped.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Regista e attori dello sceneggiato Il Circolo Pickwick discutono il copione (1968)](https://film.one/media/person/160/gallery-a1bb11be93f4.jpg) Regista e attori dello sceneggiato Il Circolo Pickwick discutono il copione (1968) — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Il_Circolo_Pickwick.jpg/1280px-Il_Circolo_Pickwick.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Nino Castelnuovo, Renato Salvatori, Carlo D'Angelo, Leopoldo Trieste and Tomas Milian in a scene from Un giorno da leoni, a 1961 film directed by Nanni Loy.](https://film.one/media/person/160/gallery-848ec3dabdae.jpg) Nino Castelnuovo, Renato Salvatori, Carlo D'Angelo, Leopoldo Trieste and Tomas Milian in a scene from Un giorno da leoni, a 1961 film directed by Nanni Loy. — Unknown authorUnknown author, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Photo_Nino_Castelnuovo%2C_Renato_Salvatori%2C_Carlo_D%27Angelo%2C_Leopoldo_Trieste_and_Tomas_Milian_in_a_scene_from_Un_giorno_da_leoni%2C_a_1961_film_directed_by_Nanni_Loy_1961_-_Touring_Club_Italiano_04_1582.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![scena dal film Un americano a Roma (1954)](https://film.one/media/person/160/gallery-6a159a671b68.png) scena dal film Un americano a Roma (1954) — Stefano Vanzina aka Steno (director) / Carlo Montuori (cinematographer), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Un_americano_a_Roma_27.png/1280px-Un_americano_a_Roma_27.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Fotogramma del film Un Giorno da leoni (1961)](https://film.one/media/person/160/gallery-576abc5df6c9.jpg) Fotogramma del film Un Giorno da leoni (1961) — Nanni Loy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Un_giorno_da_leoni.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/leopoldo-trieste