Bicycle Thieves child actor Enzo Staiola passes away

Enzo Staiola, the Italian actor best known for his poignant portrayal of young Bruno in filmmaker Vittorio De Sica’s iconic 1948 masterpiece Bicycle Thieves, has passed away. Staiola was 85. Staiola passed away in Rome on June 06, according to La Repubblica report. The cause of death is yet to be disclosed.

Bicycle Thieves, a quintessential work of Italian Neorealist cinema, earned global acclaim for its raw depiction of post-World War II hardship and the enduring bonds of family. The film follows Bruno and his father (Lamberto Maggiorani) as they navigate the streets of Rome in a desperate search for a stolen bicycle, essential for the family's survival. The film's profound influence has been acknowledged by renowned filmmakers worldwide. Bicycle Thieves is often credited as the film that influenced New Wave movements in industries worldwide, inspiring filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray.

Staiola was just eight years old when De Sica cast him in the pivotal role that would immortalise him on screen. While he would feature in other films, which include one alongside Hollywood legend Humphrey Bogart, his career did not flourish. He subsequently transitioned to a life outside of cinema, working as a mathematics teacher and a clerk at the land registry. Staiola made a final return to the screen in 1978 with a role in the giallo film The Pyjama Girl Case.