Born in Turin, Italy. A former attorney. He has collaborated on the screenplays of many Italian films from the mid-1940s, including most of Fellini's through the mid-60s. Later he worked with Pietro Germi. He has also written for the stage.

Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Original) 1956: LA STRADA (w. Federico Fellini)  Nominated for Writing (Best Story and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) 1957: I VITELLONI (w. Federico Fellini & Ennio Flaiano)  Nominated for Writing (Best Story and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) 1961: LA DOLCE VITA (w. Federico Fellini, Ennio Flaiano & Brunello Rondi)  Nominated for Writing (Best Story and Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) 1963: 8½ (w. Federico Fellini, Ennio Flaiano & Brunello Rondi) 4 nominations