Vito Scotti's striking physical appearance, coupled with his early years spent in Naples, Italy, would inevitably lead to his being repeatedly cast in roles that leveraged his Mediterranean heritage, such as Italian waiters, government officials, law enforcement officers, maître d's, and barbers.
When Vito was merely seven years old, the Scotti family relocated to the United States, where his mother would go on to become a prominent figure in the Italian theatre scene in New York. It was within this theatrical environment that Scotti began to hone his natural talent for farce, drawing inspiration from the Commedia dell'Arte style of performance.
As he navigated the vibrant nightlife of the city, Scotti would frequently take to the stage, honing his pantomime skills and gradually transitioning into film and television roles during the early 1950s. Despite his burgeoning career, Vito remained deeply passionate about cooking, often incorporating the beloved recipes of his mother and grandmother into his culinary repertoire.