In 1956 Gassman played the title role in a production of "Othello". He was so well received by his acting in the television series entitled "" that "Il Mattatore" became the nickname that accompanied him for the rest of his life. Gassman's debut in the commedia all'italiana genre was rather accidental, in Mario Monicelli's "I soliti ignoti" ("Big Deal on Madonna Street", 1958). Famous movies featuring Gassman include: "Il sorpasso" (1962), "La Grande Guerra" (1962), "I mostri" (1963), "L'Armata Brancaleone" (1966), "Profumo di donna" (1974) and "C'eravamo tanto amati" (1974).