Italian actor Nino Manfredi dies

Manfredi gave an unforgettable performance in Scola's Ugly, Dirty and Bad

Nino Manfredi, one of the most popular Italian actors of his generation, has died at the age of 83.

He was best known for his roles in a string of highly successful Italian comedies in the 1960s and 1970s.

A prolific actor, he played in more than 100 films during a 54-year career that began in 1949. He also turned his hand to writing and directing.

Manfredi starred with major Italian directors, including Dino Risi and Ettore Scola.

In 1968, he starred in Risi's Torture Me But Kill Me with Kisses.

In the 1973 picture Bread and Chocolate, Manfredi played an Italian immigrant seeking to be accepted in Switzerland.

We will all remember his performances, always full of humanity and iron Silvio Berlusconi Italian Prime Minister

One of his greatest successes came a year later, with Scola's We All Loved Each Other So Much - also starring Stefania Sandrelli and Vittorio Gassman.

He also starred in Scola's Ugly, Dirty and Bad in 1976.

Manfredi also directed the 1971 film Between Miracles, which won the award for best first work at the Cannes Film Festival.

He received a lifetime achievement award at last year's Venice Film Festival

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi paid homage to Manfredi, saying: "We will all remember his performances, always full of humanity and irony."

Manfredi died in hospital in Rome, after suffering a stroke a month ago.

He was born in 1921 and studied law, but soon moved to acting.