Biography
Nando Orfei (born Ferdinando Orfei) was an Italian circus performer and actor. A member of the Orfei circus dynasty, he performed from a young age as a comic actor, animal tamer, juggler and clown in family shows, and maintained a career in theatre and the circus throughout his life.
Orfei appeared in four films. These included Federico Fellini’s The Clowns (1970), in which he played a circus performer, and Amarcord (1973), in which he played Patacca, Titta’s uncle. His other screen credits were MMM 83 (1966) and Traffic Jam (1979), in which he played Montefoschi’s chauffeur Carloni. He largely retired from cinema after a decade to concentrate on theatre and circus work.
Orfei was the brother of Liana Orfei and cousin of Moira Orfei. He married Anita Gambarutti in 1963 and was the father of Paride, Ambra and Gioia Orfei. He died in Milan on 7 October 2014.
