Franco Lechner, best known as Bombolo[1] (22 May 1931 – 21 August 1987), was an Italian character actor and comedian.
Born in Rome into a humble family, a former peddler of dishes, Lechner was discovered in a tavern by Franco Castellacci and Pierfrancesco Pingitore, who entered him in their cabaret company "Il Bagaglino".
[2] He got a large popularity in cinema as the sidekick of Tomas Milian in a successful series of half-serious poliziottesco films directed by Bruno Corbucci.
[2] He was also partner of Enzo Cannavale in a number of comedy films.
[3] He died at age 56 as a result of complications following a major surgical operation.