Robert Rietti (born Lucio Rietti; 8 February 1923 – 3 April 2015), often credited as Robert Rietty, was a British-born Italian actor, director and playwright. Over a career spanning many decades he worked in theatre, film and television and gained a reputation for versatility, particularly in voice acting and dubbing.
Career overview
Rietti began performing at a young age and went on to appear in a wide range of dramatic roles. He was active both behind the scenes as a director and dramatist and in front of audiences as a character performer. His credits include stage productions, supporting parts in films and television appearances in the United Kingdom and internationally.
Voice work and dubbing
One of Rietti's best-known activities was his extensive work as a voice artist and dubbing director. He provided English-language dialogue adaptation, re-recording and voice performances for numerous productions, helping to make foreign-language and archival material accessible to English-speaking audiences. His skill in altering tone and accent made him a sought-after contributor to post-production sound work.
- Stage, film and television acting
- Dialogue direction and dubbing supervision
- Playwriting and theatrical direction
In recognition of his contributions to the arts he was honoured by the Italian government with a knighthood. He continued to be active in creative work into later life.
Legacy and further reading
Rietti's career illustrates the range of mid-20th-century performers who moved between stage, screen and emerging post-production roles. He is remembered for both his on-screen presence and the considerable, if sometimes unseen, impact of his voice work. For more information on his life and credits, see further resources.
Robert Rietti died on 3 April 2015 at the age of 92, leaving a legacy of diverse work in performance and sound for film and theatre.