Mario Riva


Mario Riva was an Italian television presenter and actor. He appeared in 51 films between 1941 and 1960.

Life and career

Born in Rome as Mariuccio Bonavolontà, the son of a composer, Giuseppe Bonavolonta and his wife Teresa Chinzari. His father composed over 500 popular tunes including "Goodbye Nemi" and "Fiocca Snow". Mario attended St Joseph College in Piazza di Spagna in Rome.
Riva debuted at young age as a dubber and a radio actor. His film debut was in 1941 in Due cuori sotto sequestro. He became first known as presenter of the stage show Clan.
After a long season of successes on stage Riva reached the peak of his career with the RAI variety television Il Musichiere . He also appeared on several films, usually in supporting roles. While he was presenting from the Arena di Verona a special event linked to the TV program, the Secondo Festival del Musichiere, he inadvertently fell into a hole in the stage covered with a tarpaulin and died.

Selected filmography