A regenerative valve hydraulic actuator includes a high-pressure accumulator fed by a high-pressure feed hydraulic pump, an actuator defining an actuator hydraulic chamber for actuating—by way of a progressive lever arm ratio lever—a valve provided with a valve return device, a valve lifter hydraulic valve placed between the high-pressure accumulator and the actuator hydraulic chamber, a lifter check valve which connects a low-pressure accumulator to the actuator hydraulic chamber, a valve closure hydraulic valve placed between the chamber and a closure and regeneration hydraulic motor which recovers energy previously invested to open the valve.