"Roma nun fa' la stupida stasera", written for the 1962 stage musical "Rugantino", became his most famous song. The title, translated from the Roman dialect, literally means "Rome, don't act silly this evening.".
Began his career as a jazz musician with the orchestra of Rocco Grasso in 1937.
He had five children: Graziella, Marina Ubalda (1954-2000) from his relationship with Silvana Puntieri; Maurizio (b.1960) from his relationship with model Mirella Pettinari; Howard Andrew Rugantino (b.1963) from his marriage to Pier Angeli; and Piergiorgio (b.1973) from his marriage to Maria Paola Trovajoli.
Awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in February 2000.