Medici began his career in comedy in the early 2000s, performing in local theaters in his hometown of Bari. He gained recognition for his work on the TV show “Zelig”, where he performed stand-up comedy sketches and impersonations of famous singers and politicians. In 2006, he released his first film, “Cado dalle nubi”, which was a critical and commercial success.
However, it was his second film, “Che bella giornata” (What a Beautiful Day), released in 2011, that made him a household name in Italy. The film grossed over €60 million, becoming the highest-grossing Italian film of all time. In the film, Medici plays the role of a security guard who falls in love with a woman from a wealthy family. The film was praised for its humor and social commentary on Italian politics and class structure.
Medici’s next film, “Sole a catinelle” (Sun in Buckets), was released in 2013 and became an even bigger hit than his previous film, grossing over €50 million in Italy alone. In the film, Medici plays a small-town electrician who becomes a millionaire overnight after he wins the lottery. Like his previous films, “Sole a catinelle” was a social satire that touched on themes such as poverty, wealth, and corruption in Italian society.
In 2016, Medici released his third film, “Quo vado?” (Where Am I Going?), which broke box office records and surpassed his previous films in terms of domestic box office gross. In the film, Medici plays a government employee who is forced to relocate from his beloved hometown in southern Italy to a remote island in the arctic north. The film satirizes the Italian bureaucracy and civil service, as well as the perceived cultural differences between northern and southern Italy.
Throughout his career, Medici has been praised for his ability to make audiences laugh while at the same time addressing serious social and political issues. His films have often been compared to those of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, in that they use comedy to comment on larger societal issues.
In addition to his film work, Medici has also released several music albums and has performed in sold-out concerts throughout Italy. He has won numerous awards for his work in comedy and film, including the David di Donatello award (Italy’s highest film honor) for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Quo vado?”.
Despite his huge success, Medici remains dedicated to his craft and to making people laugh. He has said in interviews that he hopes his comedy can help people forget their daily troubles and bring a little bit of joy into their lives.
In conclusion, the name Checco Zalone is simply a pseudonym that Luca Pasquale Medici used when he first began his career in comedy. It has since become synonymous with his unique brand of irreverent and socially conscious humor, and has helped to make him one of Italy’s most beloved and successful comedians and actors.