Gigi Reder (born Luigi Schroeder; 25 March 1928 – 8 October 1998) was an Italian actor and voice actor, best known for his recurring role as Rag. Filini in the Fantozzi film series.
Early life and education
Luigi Schroeder was born in Naples, Italy, to a German father and a Neapolitan mother. He later moved to Rome, where he began his artistic career in radio, hosting and performing in radio dramas.
Career
Stage and radio
Reder debuted in the early 1950s on the stage, appearing in teatro dialettale (dialect theatre) and vaudeville productions. He worked with notable Italian theatre companies, including those of Peppino De Filippo, Turi Ferro, Giorgio Albertazzi, and Mario Scaccia.
Film and television
Reder made his film debut in the early 1950s, but his popularity rose dramatically in the 1970s when he became a regular supporting actor in Paolo Villaggio’s comedies. His most celebrated performance was as the bumbling office colleague Rag. Filini, the side‑kick of the titular character in the Fantozzi series, a role he reprised in multiple sequels. He also appeared in the Fracchia series and other Italian comedies, often portraying eccentric or comedic secondary characters.
Voice work
In addition to on‑screen acting, Reder worked as a voice actor and dubber, lending his voice to various Italian-language adaptations of foreign films and animated works.
Selected filmography (highlights)
- 47 morto che parla (1950)
- Bread, Love and Dreams (1953) – Ricuccio
- The Gold of Naples (1954) – uncredited friend of Don Peppino
- Fantozzi (1975) – Rag. Filini
- Il secondo tragico Fantozzi (1976) – Rag. Filini
- Fantozzi contro tutti (1980) – Rag. Filini
- Fantozzi subisce ancora (1983) – Rag. Filini
- Fracchia la belva umana (1981) – Madre della Belva Umana
Personal life
Reder was married and had one child. He stood 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) tall. He was known to be an atheist.
Death
Gigi Reder died on 8 October 1998 in Rome at the age of 70.
Legacy
Reder is remembered as a prominent character actor in post‑war Italian cinema, particularly for his contribution to the comedic genre and his iconic portrayal of Filini, a role that has become a cultural reference point in Italian popular culture.