Leonardo Pieraccioni

Leonardo Pieraccioni (born 17 February 1965) is an Italian film director, actor, comedian, screenwriter and cabaret performer. Born in Florence, he made his directorial debut with The Graduates (1995). In 1996 he directed his breakthrough film The Cyclone, which grossed 78 billion lire at the box office.

In 1998, Pieraccioni starred with Harvey Keitel and David Bowie in the western comedy Gunslinger's Revenge, directed by Giovanni Veronesi. He has also starred with Suzie Kennedy, the impersonator of Marilyn Monroe, in Me and Marilyn, and plays a priest performing an exorcism in the music video for Lucio Corsi's song "Volevo essere un duro".

Also a writer of short stories, Pieraccioni's books include Trent'anni, alta, mora (1998), Tre mucche in cucina (2002) and A un passo dal cielo (2003). His honours include the David di Donatello Award for Lifetime Achievement, the David di Donatello School Award, the Nastro d'Argento for Best Actor, the Nastro d'Argento for Best Screenplay, and the Ciak d'oro awards for best motion picture and best director.