benigno was born in palermo, sicily, the twelfth of thirteen children. he made his first acting debut in 1989, in "mery per sempre", directed by marco risi. he played the same role of "natale sperandeo" in the film's sequel, "ragazzi fuori" ("boys on the outside"), for which he won two awards as best actor, the "ciak d'oro" at the venice film festival, and the "premio piper". both films were set in his native palermo.