Gianni Fantoni

Gianni Fantoni is an Italian stand-up comedian, impressionist, television host and actor born on June 20, 1967 in Ferrara. Known for his vocal impressions, musical parodies and surreal stand-up bits inspired by Enzo Jannacci, Cochi e Renato and Renzo Arbore, he first reached a national audience as a co-host of Antonio Ricci's satirical news show Striscia la notizia together with Claudio Bisio in 1992.

Fantoni began performing cabaret at fifteen on local stages around the Ferrara province, mixing sung impressions and surreal punchlines. After being noticed by Antonio Ricci with the 1991 summer show Tigi delle Vacanze, he co-hosted Striscia la notizia in June 1992 alongside Claudio Bisio and later Paperissima Sprint on Canale 5. His best-known impression is his parody of singer Zucchero Fornaciari, performed for years on the Italia 1 shows Ciro presenta Visitors (1999) and Super Ciro (2004) and on the Maurizio Costanzo Show. He also became famous for his routine of imitating objects, a surreal bit that became a viral classic of Italian TV cabaret. He has appeared in films directed by Lucio Pellegrini (E allora mambo!) and Pupi Avati (Ma quando arrivano le ragazze?, Gli amici del bar Margherita) and tours theatres with his solo cabaret shows. A trained accountant who also worked in IT, he is one of the few Italian TV comedians who personally manages his own website.

Gianni Fantoni tours small and mid-sized Italian theatres with his cabaret solo show, performing in venues from Ferrara to Milan, including the Caffe Letterario Europa and other regional clubs. His full archive of TV appearances, biography, photos and upcoming dates is curated by himself on his official site giannifantoni.com.