Overview

• Enrico Valenti passed away on July 15, 2025 at the age of 71, closing a defining chapter in youth entertainment
• In 1980 he and Kitty Perria established Gruppo 80 as an innovative studio for puppetry, animation and children’s programming
• Valenti conceived Uan, the pink half-dog, half-elf puppet that debuted in 1983 and became the emblematic mascot of Bim Bum Bam until 2000
• Uan was brought to life by Gruppo 80 professionals and initially voiced by Giancarlo Muratori, delighting audiences with sketches and letter-reading segments alongside host Paolo Bonolis
• His pioneering blend of live hosts, puppetry and interactive fan engagement set the template for Italian children’s TV shows