Franco Latini (12 September 1927 – 2 February 1991) was an Italian actor and voice actor.[1] He was considered one of the top voice dubbers for animated films and cartoons in Italy.[2]
Latini was heavily active as a voice actor.[3] He dubbed Stan Laurel in several redubs of Laurel and Hardy shorts and films in which he was paired up with Carlo Croccolo.[4] He also dubbed characters in many animated productions: he was the Italian voice of Skeletor and other characters in the first season of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and from 1983 until 1988 he was the primary Italian voice of Donald Duck.[5] Latini voiced most of the characters in the Italian editions of the Looney Tunes, various Muppets in The Muppet Show, Tom, the Cat from Tom & Jerry and the namesake character in the Van Beuren Studios Tom and Jerry series.
Latini founded his own dubbing company in the late 1970s, which was active until the end of the '80s. In 1981 he lost one of his legs in an accident, which rendered him unable to perform on screen. After that, he devoted himself exclusively to dubbing.[5][6]
Personal life
Latini had three children, daughters Laura and Ilaria from his marriage with dialogue writer Maria Pinto and son Fabrizio from his relationship with actress Piera Vidale. All three followed in Latini's footsteps.
