Home / Arts and Entertainment / Topo Gigio's Iconic Voice Actor Peppino Mazzullo Passes Away at 100
Topo Gigio's Iconic Voice Actor Peppino Mazzullo Passes Away at 100
1 Oct
Summary
- Actor Peppino Mazzullo, the voice behind Topo Gigio, has died at 100.
- Mazzullo provided the voice for the beloved mouse puppet from 1962 to 2006.
- Topo Gigio was a frequent and memorable guest on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Italian actor Peppino Mazzullo, famously known as the voice of the puppet Topo Gigio, died on Wednesday at the age of 100. Mazzullo passed away at his home in Santo Stefano di Briga, Italy. The 10-inch-tall puppet, Topo Gigio, was created by Maria Perego and first appeared on CBS' The Ed Sullivan Show on December 9, 1962, becoming a regular guest until the show's conclusion on June 6, 1971.
Mazzullo provided the voice for Topo Gigio from its debut through 2006. The puppet was operated by multiple puppeteers, with Perego manipulating its legs and mouth. Topo Gigio's interactions with Ed Sullivan were particularly memorable, often eliciting a warmer side of the host and concluding with the catchphrase, "Eddie, kiss me goodnight." Joan Rivers also contributed to Topo Gigio's early career by writing sketches for the puppet.
Born Giuseppe Mazzullo on June 6, 1926, he developed his acting skills from a young age and trained at prestigious academies in Rome and Milan. After a career in radio and other acting roles, he discovered the voice for Topo Gigio, inspired by a childhood encounter with a mythical sprite. He also starred in the 1961 film 'The Magic World of Topo Gigio.' After retiring, Mazzullo established the Piccolissimo Teatro di Messina, where he continued to teach acting.
