Johnny Stecchino

A small-time bus driver for students with Down syndrome in Cesena who also defrauds the government and nickels bananas to survive. He is street-smart yet inherently naive, quickly slipping into a forged persona when mistaken for a mobster. The lookalike plot thrusts him into a chaotic series of mistaken identities that he struggles to control.

A woman who mistakes Dante for her husband Johnny Stecchino and uses the resemblance to manipulate him. She dresses him to resemble Johnny and plans to kill the real Johnny to escape with him to South America. Her scheme relies on staying one step ahead of both the mob and the truth, ultimately letting her walk free.

Dante's best friend, a student with Down syndrome and diabetes. He serves as a loyal comic companion, often pulled into Dante's schemes. He treasures sweets and ends up chasing a cocaine-fueled misadventure, reflecting the film's blend of humor and danger.

Maria's 'uncle', a cocaine user who pretends to be taking diabetes medicine. He is part of the drug-tinged side plot that helps steer the deception and mob interactions. His presence adds a layer of illicit complicity to the plan surrounding Johnny's fate.

A mobster connected to Johnny Stecchino's world who becomes entangled in the lookalike misunderstanding. His men shoot at Dante, only to realize the danger of misidentification. The scene underscores the farcical yet dark underbelly of organized crime.

A Palermo judge who mistakes Dante for Johnny and urges him to publicly declare his confession. His advice exposes the absurdity of legal and media processes in the face of mass perception. The scene highlights how authority interacts with spectacle.