Gene Gnocchi

Eugenio Ghiozzi (Italian pronunciation: [euˈdʒɛːnjo ˈɡjɔddzi]; born 1 March 1955), best known by his stage name Gene Gnocchi (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒɛːne ɲˈɲɔkki]), is an Italian television presenter, comedian and former footballer.

Gnocchi was born in Fidenza into a working-class family. He was an aspiring vocalist in a rock band when he was younger, and also has a degree as a lawyer; however he was largely unsuccessful in both roles.

He took advice from the general public and attempted to become a comedian. He started to appear on the then unknown stage of Milan's Zelig in the 1980s, and also as an emerging comedian on the Maurizio Costanzo Show.

Gnocchi started enjoying success in the 1990s and now is mostly known for his role in Quelli che il calcio, a Raidue football-related TV show with Simona Ventura, usually aired on Sundays.