Leopoldo Mastelloni, an 80-year-old Italian actor, director, and singer born in Naples on July 12, 1945, suffered a stroke on August 6, 2025, and is currently hospitalized at Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome with a reserved prognosis, as confirmed by his entourage. Mastelloni, known for his bold theatrical performances, including works by Antonin Artaud and Giuseppe Patroni Griffi, and roles in films like Dario Argento’s Inferno (1980), has been a prominent figure in Italian theater and television. His career was notably impacted by a controversial 1984 incident on the TV show Blitz, where a blasphemous remark led to his temporary exclusion from television, though he later returned with shows like Via Teulada 66 (1988) alongside Loretta Goggi.
Recently, Mastelloni has spoken about financial struggles and professional isolation, living on a modest pension and expressing frustration over unfulfilled promises of support under Italy’s Bacchelli Law for artists in need. In 2024, he voiced fears of depression, and in July 2025, he announced his upcoming memoir, Così fan tutti (Albatros-Il Filo), set for release in September 2025, where he describes himself as a “bullizzato culturale” (culturally bullied). The entertainment community and fans are anxiously awaiting updates on his condition.