[2] Petito played minor roles in some memorable commedia all'Italiana movies directed by the likes of Dino Risi and Mario Monicelli in the late 1950s and early 1960s, often appearing alongside actors such as Nino Manfredi, Alberto Sordi, Peppino De Filippo, Anna Maria Ferrero, and Totò.

[12] In 1960, Petito again featured under director Dino Risi in his comedy picture of that year, Il Mattatore, alongside Vittorio Gassman, Dorian Gray and previous co-stars Peppino De Filippo and Anna Maria Ferrero.

[15] Later in 1961, Petito starred alongside Gérard Blain, Paola Borboni, Miranda Campa and Anna Maria Ferrero in Carlo Lizzani's L'oro di Roma.

He played a small role as Galliano Rubinace, Rossella's Father in Luciano Salce's drama picture La cuccagna alongside Donatella Turri, Luigi Tenco and Umberto D'Orsi,[17] Padre Guardiano in Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia's I quattro monaci alongside Peppino De Filippo, Aldo Fabrizi and Nino Taranto,[18] and also had roles in Renato Polselli's war drama Ultimatum alla vita,[19] Luigi Zampa's comedy Roaring Years,[20] and also portrayed a homeless man in Marcello Baldi's thriller Il criminale, again appearing opposite Jack Palance.

In 1963, Petito portrayed perhaps his role of most esteem as Napoleon in Sergio Corbucci's comedy Chi si ferma è perduto, also starring Totò, Peppino De Filippo, and Aroldo Tieri.