Cervi was born in Bologna as Luigi Cervi.
His father was the theatre critic Antonio Cervi.

In 1928, he married Nini Gordini (one of his partners) and they had a son, Tonino Cervi.
Gino Cervi later became the grandfather of actress Valentina Cervi and producer Antonio Levesi Cervi.

Cervi was best known for his role of Giuseppe Bottazzi ("Peppone"), the Communist mayor in the Don Camillo movies of the 1950s and the 1960s.
He shared great understanding and friendship with co-star Fernandel during the 15 years playing their respective roles in Don Camillo movies.

Toward the end of his career he played Commissioner Maigret for eight years in the Italian TV adaptation of the celebrated series of crime novels by Georges Simenon, Le inchieste del commissario Maigret (1964–1972), during which he also starred in a spin-off movie Maigret a Pigalle (Mario Landi, 1966), produced by his son Antonio Cervi.

Gino Cervi was initiated to the Italian Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Lodge "Palingenesi" (Rome, 1946) and later he joined the Lodge "Galvani" in Bologna.

He died in Punta Ala in 1974.
Cervi was born in Bologna as Luigi Cervi. His father was the theatre critic Antonio Cervi. 
In 1928, he married Nini Gordini (one of his partners) and they had a son, Tonino Cervi. Gino Cervi later became the grandfather of actress Valentina Cervi and producer Antonio Levesi Cervi.
Cervi was best known for his role of Giuseppe Bottazzi ("Peppone"), the Communist mayor in the Don Camillo movies of the 1950s and the 1960s. He shared great understanding and friendship with co-star Fernandel during the 15 years playing their respective roles in Don Camillo movies.
Toward the end of his career he played Commissioner Maigret for eight years in the Italian TV adaptation of the celebrated series of crime novels by Georges Simenon, Le inchieste del commissario Maigret (1964–1972), during which he also starred in a spin-off movie Maigret a Pigalle (Mario Landi, 1966), produced by his son Antonio Cervi.
Gino Cervi was initiated to the Italian Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Lodge "Palingenesi" (Rome, 1946) and later he joined the Lodge "Galvani" in Bologna.
He died in Punta Ala in 1974.
Gino Cervi