Born in Livorno, Messeri studied painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze and acting at the drama school of the Piccolo Teatro in Milan.
[1] He debuted on stage in 1969, in Paolo Poli's Il Brasile.
The same year, he received a Ciak d'oro for best supporting actor thanks to his performance in Massimo Troisi's Le vie del Signore sono finite.
[2][3] In 1995 he won a Nastro d'Argento for best supporting actor for his performance in Francesca Archibugi's Con gli occhi chiusi.
[2] Messeri is also a singer-songwriter and composer of songs, usually used in his stage works.