Peppino Mazzullo, Voice of Topo Gigio on Ed Sullivan, Dies at 100

Peppino Mazzullo, the performer who gave life to the beloved Italian mouse puppet Topo Gigio, has passed away at age 100, per The Hollywood Reporter.

His death occurred on Wednesday in his residence in Santo Stefano di Briga, a village in Italy near his hometown of Messina, according to the local newspaper Il Messaggero.

Mazzullo voiced the ten-inch-tall puppet, created by Maria Perego, during its iconic run on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' from 1962 to 1971. The character was famous for coaxing a softer, more playful side from the otherwise rigid host, often ending segments by asking, "Eddie, kiss me goodnight."

The operation was a team effort. While Mazzullo supplied the voice, Perego manipulated the legs and mouth, with two other puppeteers handling the arms. Comedian Joan Rivers wrote some of the sketches, which she credited with paying her car bills for half a year.

Mazzullo first discovered the character's voice after being reminded of a sprite from a childhood memory. He continued performing as Topo Gigio until 2006. In later years, he established a small theater in Messina, the Piccolissimo Teatro, where he also instructed aspiring actors.