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This page is our personal hall of fame. A reminder to us all that even though considered a B-genre, Spaghetti Westerns were full of great characters, played by great people. Many have passed away, and while we are young growing up re-watching all these classics, many more will probably leave us. May they be remembered. What follows, is a work-in-progress, a growing list of legends who have passed away...
This page is our personal hall of faml'e. A reminder to us all that even though considered a B-genre, Spaghetti Westerns were full of great characters, played by great people. Many have passed away, and while we are young growing up re-watching all these classics, many more will probably leave us. May they be remembered. What follows, is a work-in-progress, a growing list of legends who have passed away...


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=== FRESH GRAVES ===
=== FRESH GRAVES ===
*'''CORD, Alex (Alexander Viespi Jr.)''' - 5/3/1933, Floral Park, New York, U.S.A. - 8/9/2021, Ft. Worth, Texas,
*'''WEPPER, Fritz''' - 8/17/1941, Munich, Bavaria, Germany - 3/25/2024, Munich, Bavaria, Germany


American actor Alex Cord who became best known in Hollywood for his 1960s and 1970s work in action-adventure roles, died in his sleep on August 9, 2021. He was 88. Born Alexander Viespi Jr. in Floral Park, New York on May 3, 1933, he was riding horses from the age of 2. Stricken with polio at the age of 12, he was confined to a hospital for a long period of time before he overcame the illness. He was left with one leg shorter and a damaged lung. He held his dream of becoming a jockey until realizing he would soon be too tall. He then was determined to be a cowboy. Anything that would put him near horses. Prodded by an interest in acting, Alex studied with some of the best teachers in New York. He began his professional career in summer stock (The Compass Players in St. Louis, Missouri) and at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut where he played “Laertes” in a production of “Hamlet”. At every opportunity he pursued his passionate love of horses with endless hours of training to become the best all-around horseman he could. He guest-starred in TV classics such as ‘Route 66’, ‘Naked City’, ‘Branded’, ‘Murder She Wrote’, ‘Mission Impossible’, ‘Fantasy Island’, ‘Laramie’, ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’, ‘Police Story’, Police Woman’. He gained his most TV fame as Archangel in 1984’s ‘Airwolf’ alongside Jan-Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine. He’s probably best remembered for his film role as the “Ringo Kid” in the remake of “Stagecoach” with Ann-Margret, Bing Crosby, Van Heflin and Bob Cummings. Cord made one Euro-western: 1968’s “A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die” as Clay McCord.
German actor Fritz Wepper died in Munich, Germany on March 25, 2024. He was 82. He started his acting career in a production of Peter Pan at the age of eleven. He got his first important film role in Tischlein deck dich, a film adaption of the Brothers Grimm fairytale The Wishing Table. Fritz is best known for his role as Inspector Harry Klein in the long-running crime series ‘Derrick’ (1974–1998). Wepper is also remembered for his roles in the films “Cabaret” (1972) and “The Bridge” (1959) and as Mayor Wöller in the TV series ‘Um Himmels Willen’ (2002–2021). Wepper appeared in one Euro-western as Tampico in the 1963 television production of “Ein Sheriff für den Sarg”.




*'''POLESELLO, Franca''' - 7/27/1936, Oderzo, Treviso, Veneto, Italy - 3/8/2021, Rome, Lazio, Italy
*'''BERETTA, Daniel (Daniel Jean Georges Beretta)''' - , Audincourt, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France - 3/23/2024, France


Italian actress Franca Polesello passed away in Rome, Italy on March 8, 2021. She was 84. The news was made public on August 7th. Born in Oderzo, Treviso, Veneto, Italy on July 27, 1936.
French singer, actor and voice dubber Daniel Beretta died on March 23rh. He was 77. Beretta was born on December 24, 1946 in Audincourt, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France. He started his career as a Chanson Singer-Songwriter, having given several concerts at the Olympia and Bobino concert halls and wrote several songs for the likes of Mireille Mathieu and Nino Ferrer. He also notably adapted and performed songs for the French version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” as well as the stage adaptation of “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”. Having trained as a musician also allowed him to sing in his animation dubs (such as Lumière's music numbers in “Beauty and the Beast”, again). He dubbed Arnold Schwarzenegger in the French versions of all his films since 1987. Daniel was also the announcer for the French radio RFM from 2000 to 2008. His daughter, Barbara Beretta, is also a professional voice actress. He quietly retired for health reasons in the early 2020s. Daniel Beretta appeared in one Euro-western “In the Dust of the Sun” in 1971 as Hawk Bradford.


Franca began her career in the late 1950s after becoming Miss Lombardy. She worked as a television model and model, before appearing in sword and sandal films. She was later cast in comedy, western, drama and spy story films.
Among the roles that have given her greater notoriety we can mention the film “Il sorpasso”.
Shee took part in several films starring Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia, including “Veneri al sole” and “I 2 magnifici fresconi”.


Franca Polesello's career lasted a little over a decade, with about thirty film participations overall, after which the actress abandoned the artistic activity to be a wife and mother.
*'''CULVER, Michael (Michael John Edward Culver)''' - 6/16/1938, Hampstead, London, England, U.K. - 2/27/2024


Franca appeared in three Euro-westerns: “The Twins from Texas” (1964) as Madame Duval, probably her most famous role “Navajo Joe” (1966) as Barbara and in “Joe Dakota” (1967) as Rosy.
British actor Michael Culver died on February 27, 2024. He was 85. Born Michael John Edward Culver in Hampstead, London, England on June 16, 1938. The son (and nephew) of actors Culver was destined to delve into acting himself. Culver attended Gresham's School in Holt, North Norfolk, UK, then went on to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Culver was married to actress Lucinda Curtis from 1962-1986, they have two sons, Roderic (an actor), and Justin, and a daughter, Sue.  He is currently married to actress Amanda Ward. Culver appeared in several television series in recurring roles, as Squire Armstrong in ‘The Adventures of Black Beauty’ (1972–74), Major Erwin Brandt in the BBC drama ‘Secret Army’ (1977–78), crooked banker Ralph Saroyan in the second series of ‘The House of Eliott’ (1992) and the strict Prior Robert ('Brother Prior') in ‘Cadfael’ (1994–98). Culver appeared as Aragan in one episode of thee 1991 Euro-television series ‘The New Zorro’ starrin Duncan Regehr.




*'''GRANT, Saginaw (Saginaw Morgan Grant)''' - 7/20/1936, Pawnee, Oklahoma, U.S.A. - 7/28/2021, Hollywood, California, U.S.A.
*'''McCOURT, Malachy (Malachy Gerard McCourt)''' - 9/20/1931, New York City, New York, U.S.A. - 3/11/2024, Manhattan, New York, U.S.A.


Saginaw Grant, a prolific Native American character actor and hereditary chief of the Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma, has died. He was 85. Grant died peacefully in his sleep of natural causes on July 28, 2021, at a private care facility in Hollywood, California. Born July 20, 1936, in Pawnee, Oklahoma, Grant was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He began acting in  the late 1980s and played character roles in dozens of movies and television shows over the last three decades, including 2013s “The Lone Ranger,” 2005's “The World’s Fastest Indian” and “Breaking Bad,”. His Euro-westerns were; “Grey Owl” (1999) as a Pow Wow Chief; 2003’s TV “DreamKeeper” as the old medicine man.
Veteran American actor Malachy McCourt died in a Manhattan hospital on March 11th he was 92. Malachy Gerard McCourt was born in New York City on September 20, 1931. He was an American actor and writer of Irish ancestry. McCourt was the 2006 Green Party candidate for governor of New York, losing to the Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer. He was the younger brother of author Frank McCourt [1930-2009]. Raised in Limerick, Ireland he acted on stage, on TV and in various films. These included “The Molly Maguires”, “Beyond the Pale”, “Ash Wednesday” and he also used to make an annual festive appearance in’ All My Children’ as Father Clarence. Malachy appeared in one Euro-western in an uncredited role in 1976’s “Montana Trap” aka “Potato Frits” with Hardy Krüger and Stephen Boyd.




*'''NAZZARO, Gianni''' - 10/27/1948, Naples, Campania, Italy - 7/27/2021, Rome, Lazio, Italy
*'''MORRA, Gigio''' - 8/26/1945, Naples, Campania Italy - 3/10/2024, Naples, Campania, Italy


Italian pop singer and actor Gianni Nazzaro died at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome on July 27, 2021. He was 72. Born in Naples on October 27, 1948, he’s best remembered for his 1970s hit Quanto è bella lei. He also performed at the San Remo Festival six times. He appeared as a performer in the 1966 Euro-musical western “A Fistful of Songs”.  
Italian theater, film and TV actor Gigio Morra died at his home in Naples, Italy on March 10th. He was 78. Born in Naples on August 26, 1945. He graduated in 1966 from the Academy of Dramatic Art in Naples. He made his debut in theater with Eduardo De Filippo, with whom he worked from 1970 to 1980. As a character actor, he was present in about twenty films including his only Spaghetti western “Arrapaho” in 1984 in the role of Pierpaolo.  




*'''KOFER, Herbert''' - 2/17/1921, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Brandenburg, Prussia, Germany – 7/24/2021, Potsdam-Mittelmark, Brandenburg, Germany
*'''LEONI, Roberto''' - 11/16/1940, Rome, Lazio, Italy - 3/5/2024, Rome, Lazio, Italy


East German stage, film and TV actor Herbert Köfer has died. The native of Berlin died on Saturday July 24, 2021 in Potsdam-Mittelmark, Brandenburg, Germany at the age of 100, his widow actress Heike Köfer announced. His star role was as grandpa Paul Schmidt in the GDR television series "Rentner haben niemals Zeit". Köfer, born on February 27, 1921 in Berlin, Germany, never looked his age. He always dressed in fashion and well-groomed, he looked like a young senior. He was seen on the screen, on stage and on television in dramas and comedies, but also in plays on serious topics. “A nice role in a film is fun, on stage it's completely different, the stage is my podium,” he said. He didn't want to hear about retirement. “The job is connected with beauty and the strenuous work with fulfillment.” But he never wanted to be carried on stage. Köfer appeared as Mac in the DEFA 1972 “Tecumseh” and as a director in the 1992 TV mini-series “Karl May”.
Italian director and screenwriter Roberto Leoni died in Rome on March 5, 2024. He was 83. Leoni scripted more than seventy films some of which have become real cult movies such as “Santa Sangre” (1989) by Alejandro Jodorowsky and “My Dear Killer” (1972) by Tonino Valerii. He also wrote and directed TV films. Beginning in August 2017 he reviewed new and classic movies on his talk show ‘Roberto Leoni Movie Reviews’. Leoni was co-writer of the 1977 Spaghetti western “California” starring Giuliano Gemma and William Berger.




*'''DUKAS, David''' - 5/30/1970, Virginia, Free State, South Africa - 7/20/2021, Cape Town, South Africa
*'''NICOTRA, Angelo''' - 4/10/1948, Rome, Lazio, Italy - 3/8/2024, Rome, Lazio, Italy


South African actor David Dukas died from heart failure in a Cape Town, South Africa hospital on July 20 2021, he was 51. Born in the small mining town of Virginia, South Africia, after graduating from high school in 1988, David went on to complete the National Higher Diploma:Acting at Tswane University of Technology(Former Pretoria Technikon's school of Performing Arts). He began his career on the stage as an ad-hoc player for the former PACT (Performing Arts Council of Transvaal). In 1994 he made his television debut in South Africa's longest running soap, ‘Egoli - Place of Gold’ and subsequently acted in numerous local as well as International co-productions. Dukas appeared as Billy in the 2002 Euro-western “Hooded Angels”.
Italian actor and voice dubber Angelo Nicotra died in Rome on March 8th. He was 75. He was the brother of the director Giancarlo Nicotra. Angelo made his screen debut as a child actor in the 1950s. He was better known for his dubbing and was the official voice of American actor Morgan Freeman after the retirement of Renato Mori. He was also the voice of Mr. Potato in the four “Toy Story” films. Nicotra was the Italian voice of Simón Andreu in 1971’s “Bad Man’s River; Chris Chitell in 1971’s “They Call Him Cemetery”; Pedro Sanchez in 1972’s “My Horse, My Gun, Your Widow; Alberto Dell’Acqua in 1972’s “Panhandle .38”; Antonio Marsina in 1976’s “Keoma” and Walter Lucchini in 1981’s “Buddy Goes West”.
 
 
*'''ARNOUL, Françoise (Françoise Annette Marie Mathilde Gautsch)''' - 6/3/1931, Constantine, France - 7/20/2021, Paris, Île de France, France
 
French actress Françoise Arnoul died in Paris, France on July 20, 2021 after a long illness. She was 90. Born Françoise Annette Marie Mathilde Gautsch in Constantine, France on June 3, 1931 she was the daughter of an artillery general and an actress, Arnoul spent her youth in Algeria. From the age of seven, she took classical dance lessons in Rabat. In the aftermath of the Second World War, she landed in France and enrolled in drama lessons with Andrée Bauer-Thérond (like Michel Piccoli and Anouk Aimée). An impresario noticed her and introduced her to Willy Rozier who is looking for a young girl to play the very undressed role of Perruche in “L’épave”. This performance made her a star, at only 18 years old. It also confirms her new status by continuing with a comedy by Jean Boyer, “We Will Go to Paris”. She was most notably famous for having played the dancer Nini in “French Cancan” by Jean Renoir. She appeared ad Cad Wilson and Sangerin in the 1975 Jack London TV series “Burning Daylight”.
 
 
*'''BARDEM, Pilar (Pilar Bardem Muñoz)''' - 3/14/1939, Seville, Seville, Andalucía, Spain - 7/17/2021, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
 
Spanish actress Pilar Bardem died in a Madrid, Spain clinic from a respiratory illness on July 17, 2021. She was 82. Pilar Bardem Muñoz was born in Seville, Spain on March 14, 2939, she was a member of a family of actors and film directors; sister of Juan Antonio Bardem and mother of Carlos, Mónica and Oscar winner Javier Bardem. She studied medicine but then dropped out of to start an acting career at the beginning of the 1970s, with small roles in theater, cinema, television and zarzuela. Throughout her career she participated in 81 films, 43 plays and 31 television series. Pilar appeared in only one Euro-western as Martha Tafford in “Al este del Oeste” in 1983.
 
 
*'''CLAMAN, Dolores (Dolores Olga Claman)''' - 7/6/1927, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – 7/17/2021, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
 
Canadian Composer, songwriter Dolores Claman died last week in Spain after suffering the last few years with dementia. She was 94. Born Dolores Olga Claman on July 6, 1927 in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada, she is best known for composing the 1968 theme song for CBC's Hockey Night In Canada show, known simply as The Hockey Theme, a song often regarded as Canada's second national anthem. Dolores also co-wrote over 3000 commercial jingles with her partner and husband Richard Morris. Dolores was the composer for 1969’s “Captain Apache” and the writer of the songs “Captain Apache” and “April Morning.
 
 
 
[[Category:Resources]][[Category:Obituaries]][[Category:People]]

Latest revision as of 14:24, 25 March 2024

This page is our personal hall of faml'e. A reminder to us all that even though considered a B-genre, Spaghetti Westerns were full of great characters, played by great people. Many have passed away, and while we are young growing up re-watching all these classics, many more will probably leave us. May they be remembered. What follows, is a work-in-progress, a growing list of legends who have passed away...

Sorted by last name: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Cemetery.jpg

FRESH GRAVES

  • WEPPER, Fritz - 8/17/1941, Munich, Bavaria, Germany - 3/25/2024, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

German actor Fritz Wepper died in Munich, Germany on March 25, 2024. He was 82. He started his acting career in a production of Peter Pan at the age of eleven. He got his first important film role in Tischlein deck dich, a film adaption of the Brothers Grimm fairytale The Wishing Table. Fritz is best known for his role as Inspector Harry Klein in the long-running crime series ‘Derrick’ (1974–1998). Wepper is also remembered for his roles in the films “Cabaret” (1972) and “The Bridge” (1959) and as Mayor Wöller in the TV series ‘Um Himmels Willen’ (2002–2021). Wepper appeared in one Euro-western as Tampico in the 1963 television production of “Ein Sheriff für den Sarg”.


  • BERETTA, Daniel (Daniel Jean Georges Beretta) - , Audincourt, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France - 3/23/2024, France

French singer, actor and voice dubber Daniel Beretta died on March 23rh. He was 77. Beretta was born on December 24, 1946 in Audincourt, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France. He started his career as a Chanson Singer-Songwriter, having given several concerts at the Olympia and Bobino concert halls and wrote several songs for the likes of Mireille Mathieu and Nino Ferrer. He also notably adapted and performed songs for the French version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” as well as the stage adaptation of “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”. Having trained as a musician also allowed him to sing in his animation dubs (such as Lumière's music numbers in “Beauty and the Beast”, again). He dubbed Arnold Schwarzenegger in the French versions of all his films since 1987. Daniel was also the announcer for the French radio RFM from 2000 to 2008. His daughter, Barbara Beretta, is also a professional voice actress. He quietly retired for health reasons in the early 2020s. Daniel Beretta appeared in one Euro-western “In the Dust of the Sun” in 1971 as Hawk Bradford.


  • CULVER, Michael (Michael John Edward Culver) - 6/16/1938, Hampstead, London, England, U.K. - 2/27/2024

British actor Michael Culver died on February 27, 2024. He was 85. Born Michael John Edward Culver in Hampstead, London, England on June 16, 1938. The son (and nephew) of actors Culver was destined to delve into acting himself. Culver attended Gresham's School in Holt, North Norfolk, UK, then went on to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Culver was married to actress Lucinda Curtis from 1962-1986, they have two sons, Roderic (an actor), and Justin, and a daughter, Sue. He is currently married to actress Amanda Ward. Culver appeared in several television series in recurring roles, as Squire Armstrong in ‘The Adventures of Black Beauty’ (1972–74), Major Erwin Brandt in the BBC drama ‘Secret Army’ (1977–78), crooked banker Ralph Saroyan in the second series of ‘The House of Eliott’ (1992) and the strict Prior Robert ('Brother Prior') in ‘Cadfael’ (1994–98). Culver appeared as Aragan in one episode of thee 1991 Euro-television series ‘The New Zorro’ starrin Duncan Regehr.


  • McCOURT, Malachy (Malachy Gerard McCourt) - 9/20/1931, New York City, New York, U.S.A. - 3/11/2024, Manhattan, New York, U.S.A.

Veteran American actor Malachy McCourt died in a Manhattan hospital on March 11th he was 92. Malachy Gerard McCourt was born in New York City on September 20, 1931. He was an American actor and writer of Irish ancestry. McCourt was the 2006 Green Party candidate for governor of New York, losing to the Democratic candidate Eliot Spitzer. He was the younger brother of author Frank McCourt [1930-2009]. Raised in Limerick, Ireland he acted on stage, on TV and in various films. These included “The Molly Maguires”, “Beyond the Pale”, “Ash Wednesday” and he also used to make an annual festive appearance in’ All My Children’ as Father Clarence. Malachy appeared in one Euro-western in an uncredited role in 1976’s “Montana Trap” aka “Potato Frits” with Hardy Krüger and Stephen Boyd.


  • MORRA, Gigio - 8/26/1945, Naples, Campania Italy - 3/10/2024, Naples, Campania, Italy

Italian theater, film and TV actor Gigio Morra died at his home in Naples, Italy on March 10th. He was 78. Born in Naples on August 26, 1945. He graduated in 1966 from the Academy of Dramatic Art in Naples. He made his debut in theater with Eduardo De Filippo, with whom he worked from 1970 to 1980. As a character actor, he was present in about twenty films including his only Spaghetti western “Arrapaho” in 1984 in the role of Pierpaolo.


  • LEONI, Roberto - 11/16/1940, Rome, Lazio, Italy - 3/5/2024, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Italian director and screenwriter Roberto Leoni died in Rome on March 5, 2024. He was 83. Leoni scripted more than seventy films some of which have become real cult movies such as “Santa Sangre” (1989) by Alejandro Jodorowsky and “My Dear Killer” (1972) by Tonino Valerii. He also wrote and directed TV films. Beginning in August 2017 he reviewed new and classic movies on his talk show ‘Roberto Leoni Movie Reviews’. Leoni was co-writer of the 1977 Spaghetti western “California” starring Giuliano Gemma and William Berger.


  • NICOTRA, Angelo - 4/10/1948, Rome, Lazio, Italy - 3/8/2024, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Italian actor and voice dubber Angelo Nicotra died in Rome on March 8th. He was 75. He was the brother of the director Giancarlo Nicotra. Angelo made his screen debut as a child actor in the 1950s. He was better known for his dubbing and was the official voice of American actor Morgan Freeman after the retirement of Renato Mori. He was also the voice of Mr. Potato in the four “Toy Story” films. Nicotra was the Italian voice of Simón Andreu in 1971’s “Bad Man’s River; Chris Chitell in 1971’s “They Call Him Cemetery”; Pedro Sanchez in 1972’s “My Horse, My Gun, Your Widow; Alberto Dell’Acqua in 1972’s “Panhandle .38”; Antonio Marsina in 1976’s “Keoma” and Walter Lucchini in 1981’s “Buddy Goes West”.

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