De Crescenzo graduated in engineering and worked for IBM Italy until 1976, when he published the bestseller Così parlò Bellavista (Thus spoke Bellavista), a collection of facts and anecdotes about his city which sold 600,000 copies in Italy and was translated into numerous languages.

In 1980 he debuted as actor in Il pap'occhio, under the direction of his friend Renzo Arbore, together with Roberto Benigni.

[2] In 1981 he made his TV debut alongside Renzo Arbore and Lory Del Santo in successful and innovative show Tagli, ritagli e frattaglie.

In 1995 he wrote and directed Croce e delizia, featuring Teo Teocoli and Isabella Rossellini.

In the meantime he published a long series of books, including novels and popularizations of philosophy.