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{{short description|Italian actor}} {{short description|Italian actor (1933–1994)}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Gian Maria Volonté | name = Gian Maria Volonté
| image = Gian Maria Volonté.jpg | image = Volonté-Indagine.jpg
| image_size = | image_size = 300px
| caption = Gian Maria Volonté in his later years | caption = Volonté in '']'' (1970)
| birth_date = {{birth date|1933|4|9|df=y}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1933|4|9|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], Italy | birth_place = ], ]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1994|12|6|1933|4|9|df=y}} | death_date = {{death date and age|1994|12|6|1933|4|9|df=y}}
| death_place = ], Greece | death_place = ], Greece
| birth_name = | birth_name =
| relatives = ] (brother) | relatives = ] (brother)
| other_names = John Wells, Johnny Wels | other_names = John Wells<br>Johnny Wels
| spouse = Armenia Balducci | spouse =
| domestic_partner = ]<br />]<br />] (1977–his death)
| children = 1
| domestic_partner = ]<br />] (1977-his death) | children = Giovanna Gravina <br> Mauriel Morejon
| occupation = ] | occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1957–1993 | years_active = 1957–1994
| website = http://www.gianmariavolonte.it/ | website = {{url|http://www.gianmariavolonte.it/}}
}} }}


'''Gian Maria Volonté''' (9 April 1933 – 6 December 1994) was an Italian ], remembered for his versatility as an interpreter, his outspoken ] leanings and fiery temper on and off-screen. He is perhaps most famous outside Italy for his roles in four ] films: Ramón Rojo and El Indio in ]'s '']'' (1964) and '']'' (1965), El Chuncho Munoz in ]'s '']'' (1966) and Professor Brad Fletcher in ]'s '']'' (1967). '''Gian Maria Volonté''' (9 April 1933 – 6 December 1994) was an Italian actor and activist. He is best known for his roles in four ] films: Ramón Rojo in ]'s '']'' (1964), El Indio in Leone's '']'' (1965), El Chuncho Munoz in ]'s '']'' (1966) and Professor Brad Fletcher in ]'s '']'' (1967).


In Italy and much of Europe, he was notable for his roles in high-profile social dramas depicting the political and social stirrings of Italian and European society in the 1960s and 1970s, including four films directed by ] – '']'' (1967), '']'' (1970), '']'' (1971) and '']'' (1976). He is also recognized for his performances in ]'s '']'' (1970), ]'s '']'' (1971) and ]'s '']'' (1979). He had notable roles in high-profile social dramas depicting the political and social stirrings of Italian and European society in the 1960s and 1970s, including four films directed by ] – '']'' (1967), '']'' (1970), '']'' (1971), and '']'' (1976). He is also recognized for his performances in ]'s '']'' (1970), ]'s '']'' (1971) and ] (1973), and ]'s '']'' (1979).<ref name="tv"/>

Among other accolades, Volonté won two ] and three ]. He won the ] at the ] for '']'' (1983), and the ] at the ] for '']'' (1986). Director Francisco Rosi said that he "stole the soul of his characters".<ref name="lancia">{{cite book |last1=Lancia |first1=Enrico |title=Dizionario del cinema italiano. Gli artisti. Gli attori dal 1930 ai giorni nostri. M - Z |last2=Poppi |first2=Roberto |date=2003 |publisher=Gremese Editore |isbn=9788884402691 |volume=3 |page=283}}</ref>


== Early life == == Early life ==
Volonté was born in ] but grew up in ]. His father Mario was a fascist officer from ] (]), who in 1944 was in command of the ] of ], near Turin. His mother, Carolina Bianchi, belonged to a wealthy Milanese industrial family and his younger brother ] was an actor as well. He went to ] to train for an acting career at the ], which he left in 1957. He had a brief career in television and acting in ] and ] plays on the stage, before establishing his film career.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} Volonté was born in ],<ref name="huff">{{cite web |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2014/12/03/gian-maria-volonte-anniversario_n_6260408.html |title= Gian Maria Volonté anniversary, 20 years after the death of the actor a memory with his 10 best performances |work= huffingtonpost.it |date= December 5, 2014|archive-date= July 15, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150715052731/http://www.huffingtonpost.it/2014/12/03/gian-maria-volonte-anniversario_n_6260408.html}}</ref> but grew up in ].<ref name="turin">{{cite web |url= https://wetheitalians.com/web-magazine/italian-cinema-gian-maria-volontes-90th-anniversary |title= Italian cinema: Gian Maria Volonté's 90th anniversary |work= wetheitalians.com |date= May 20, 2023}}</ref> His father Mario was a fascist officer from ] (]), who in 1944 was in command of the ] of ], near Turin.<ref name="huff"/> His mother, Carolina Bianchi, belonged to a wealthy Milanese industrial family, and his younger brother ] was an actor as well.<ref name="huff"/> He went to ] to train for an acting career at the ], obtaining a degree in 1957.<ref name="huff"/><ref name="silvio">{{cite web |url= https://www.accademiasilviodamico.it/en/about-us/ |title= Accademia Nazionale d'Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico|work= accademiasilviodamico.it |date= 2018}}</ref>


== Career == == Career ==
Volonté made his debut in ] in '']'', directed by ]. Just four years later, he played "Ramón Rojo" in '']'' (]), and "El Indio" in '']'' (]), both for cash reasons as he did not consider either role serious. Both films were directed by the then-unknown ], and Volonté's roles in them would bring him his greatest recognition from American audiences. He played ] in '']'' (1979), which was based on ] of his years in internal-exile in ], ], in the 1930s. Volonté played the memorable role of the Bandito-turned-guerrilla, El Chuncho, in '']'' (1966).{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} Volonté made his debut in 1960 in '']'', directed by ].<ref name="turin"/> Just four years later, he played "Ramón Rojo" in '']'' (1964),<ref name="turin"/> and "El Indio" in '']'' (1965),<ref name="turin"/> both for cash reasons as he considered the two films to be generic exploitation entertainment and was more interested in projects with a political message.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Farino |first=Ernest |date=August 2020 |title=A Fistful of Pasta: The Italian Westerns of Sergio Leone |journal=RetroFan |publisher=] |location=United States|issue=10 |page=63}}</ref> Both films were directed by the then-unknown ], and Volonté's roles in them would bring him his greatest recognition from American audiences.<ref name="turin"/> He played ] in '']'' (1979),<ref name="tv"/> which was based on ] of his years in internal exile in ], ], in the 1930s. Volonté played the memorable role of the Bandito-turned-guerrilla, El Chuncho, in '']'' (1966).<ref name="tv">{{cite web |url= https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/gian-maria-volonte/credits/3000533845/ |title= Gian Maria Volonté Credits|work= tvguide.com |access-date= September 8, 2023}}</ref>


Volonté's performances as memorable but neurotic characters, or as a gifted leader of brigands or revolutionaries, together with the unexpected, worldwide success of the films, gave him international fame. Volonté had already played comedies, including '']'' (]), by ], and confirmed his versatility in '']'' (1966). However, he found his main dimension in dramatic roles for '']'' (]), by ], '']'' (1972) by ], '']'' (1972) by his friend ] and '']'' (]) by ]. Volonté's performances as memorable but neurotic characters, or as a gifted leader of brigands or revolutionaries, together with the unexpected, worldwide success of the films, gave him international fame. Volonté had already played comedies, including '']'' (1961) by ],<ref name="tv"/> and confirmed his versatility in '']'' (1966).<ref name="tv"/> However, he found his main dimension in dramatic roles for '']'' (1968),<ref name="tv"/> by ], '']'' (1972) by ],<ref name="tv"/> '']'' (1972) by his friend ], and '']'' (1975) by ].<ref name="tv"/>


] in '']'') by ]]] ] in '']'') by ]]]
In 1968, Volonté won a Silver Ribbon as best actor for '']'', also directed by ]. Volonté received the same award for two other performances: Petri's '']'' (], winner of an ] as best foreign film), considered by many to be his finest; and in '']'' (]). In 1968, Volonté won a Silver Ribbon as best actor for '']'', also directed by ]. Volonté received the same award for two other performances: Petri's '']'' (1971, winner of an ] as best foreign film), considered by many to be his finest; and in '']'' (1989).<ref name="tv"/>


In ] he won the award for ] at the ] for '']''. Four years later, at the ], he won the ] for '']''.<ref name="Berlinale">{{cite web |url=http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1987/03_preistr_ger_1987/03_Preistraeger_1987.html |title=Berlinale: 1987 Prize Winners |access-date=27 February 2011 |work=berlinale.de}}</ref> ], remarkable play as a Renaissance physician in '']'' by ] from ]'s famous novel. In ], Volonté was named Best European Actor for '']''. In ], at the ], he won a ] for his career as a whole. Volonté played numerous roles outside Italy.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} In 1983 he won the award for ] at the ] for '']''. Four years later, at the ], he won the ] for '']''.<ref name="Berlin">{{cite web |url= http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1987/03_preistr_ger_1987/03_Preistraeger_1987.html |title=Berlinale: 1987 Prize Winners |access-date=December 29, 2010 |work=berlinale.de |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101229092034/https://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1987/03_preistr_ger_1987/03_Preistraeger_1987.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= December 29, 2010}}</ref> In 1988 Volonté starred in the ], '']'', as a physician-alchemist. The film was directed by ] from ]'s famous novel of the same name.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schwartz |first1=Dennis |title=It's a solid film, but I expect more from the great Delvaux. |url=https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/abyss/ |website=Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews |publisher=Dennis Scwartz Movie Reviews |access-date=9 April 2023 |date=5 August 2019}}</ref> In 1990, Volonté was named Best European Actor for '']''. In 1991, at the ], he won the ] for career achievement.<ref name="turin"/>


== Personal life == == Personal life ==
Volonté was a strong ] and known for his pro-] leanings. In 1981, he helped ] to flee from capture in Italy to ].<ref name="fugavolonte">{{cite news |title=SCALZONE: ' MI FECE SCAPPARE DALL' ITALIA' |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1994/12/07/scalzone-mi-fece-scappare-dall-italia.html |access-date=12 January 2011 |newspaper=La Repubblica |date=7 December 1994}}</ref> He was the partner of Italian actress ] for almost 10 years after they met when they played ''Romeo and Juliet'' in a theatre production in 1960. The two had a daughter Giovanna, born in the early 1960s. Actress ] was his companion from 1977 until his death in 1994. Volonté was a strong political activist and known for his pro-] leanings.<ref name="hist">{{cite web |title=Gian Maria Volonte (1933–94) |url=https://www.historicalmaterialism.org/node/1883 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |publisher=Historical Materialism}}</ref> In 1981, he helped ] to flee from capture in Italy to ].<ref name="fugavolonte">{{cite news |title=Scalzone: 'Mi Fece Scappare Dall' Italia' |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1994/12/07/scalzone-mi-fece-scappare-dall-italia.html |access-date=12 January 2011 |newspaper=La Repubblica |date=7 December 1994}}</ref> He was the partner of Italian actress and ] deputy ] for almost 10 years after they met when they played ''Romeo and Juliet'' in a theatre production in 1960. The two had a daughter Giovanna, born in the early 1960s. Actress ] was his companion from 1977 until his death in 1994.<ref name="fugavolonte"/>


== Death == == Death ==
Volonté died from a ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/07/obituaries/gian-maria-volonte-dies-at-61-a-prize-winning-italian-actor.html|title = Gian Maria Volonte Dies at 61; A Prize-Winning Italian Actor|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 7 December 1994|last1 = Tagliabue|first1 = John}}</ref> at the age of 61 in 1994 at ], Greece, during the filming of '']'', directed by ]. Actor ] replaced him in the role. Volonté's grave is in a small cemetery on the ]n island of ], according to his wishes. Volonté died from a heart attack<ref name="obit">{{cite news |last=Tagliabue |first=John |title=Gian Maria Volonte Dies at 61; A Prize-Winning Italian Actor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/07/obituaries/gian-maria-volonte-dies-at-61-a-prize-winning-italian-actor.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 December 1994}}</ref> at the age of 61 in 1994 at ], Greece, during the filming of '']''. Volonté's grave is in a small cemetery on the ]n island of ], according to his wishes.<ref name="obit"/>


== Selected filmography == == Selected filmography ==
]'']]
{{div col}} {{div col}}
* '']'' (1960, directed by ]) as Samuel Braunstein * '']'' (1960, directed by ]) as Samuel Braunstein
Line 53: Line 52:
* '']'' (1961, directed by ]) as Tarath * '']'' (1961, directed by ]) as Tarath
* '']'' (1961, directed by ]) as Re di Sparta * '']'' (1961, directed by ]) as Re di Sparta
* '']'' (1961, ]) as Papaleo * '']'' (1961, directed by ]) as Papaleo
* '']'' (1962, directed by ] and ]) as Salvatore * '']'' (1962, directed by ] and ]) as Salvatore
* '']'' (1962, directed by ]) as Stimolo (uncredited) * '']'' (1962, directed by ]) as Stimolo (uncredited)
* ''Noche de verano'' (1963, directed by Jorge Grau) as Alberto Suárez * ''Noche de verano'' (1963, directed by ]) as Alberto Suárez
* '']'' (1963, directed by {{Interlanguage link multi|Gianfranco De Bosio|it}}) as Braschi, l'ingeniere * '']'' (1963, directed by ]) as Braschi, l'ingeniere
* '']'' (credited as "Johnny Wels") (1964, directed by ]) as Ramón Rojo * '']'' (credited as "Johnny Wels") (1964, directed by ]) as Ramón Rojo
* '']'' (1965, directed by ]) as The Councillor * '']'' (1965, directed by ]) as The Councillor
* '']'' (1965, directed by ]) as El Indio (The Indian) * '']'' (1965, directed by Sergio Leone) as El Indio
* '']'' (1966, directed by ]) as Leonardo Varzi * '']'' (1966, directed by ]) as Leonardo Varzi
* '']'' (1966, directed by ]) as Inspector Moroni * '']'' (1966, directed by ]) as Inspector Moroni
Line 66: Line 65:
* '']'' (1966, directed by ]) as Fabrizio * '']'' (1966, directed by ]) as Fabrizio
* '']'' (1966, directed by ]) * '']'' (1966, directed by ])
* '']'' (1967, directed by ]) as El Chuncho Munoz * '']'' (1967, directed by Damiano Damiani) as El Chuncho Munoz
* '']'' (1967, directed by ]) as Prof. Paolo Laurana * '']'' (1967, directed by ]) as Prof. Paolo Laurana
* '']'' (1967, directed by ]) as Professor Brad Fletcher * '']'' (1967, directed by ]) as Professor Brad Fletcher
* '']'' (1968, directed by ]) * '']'' (1968, directed by ])
* '']'' (1968, directed by ]) as Pietro 'Piero' Cavallero * '']'' (1968, directed by Carlo Lizzani) as Pietro 'Piero' Cavallero
* ''{{Interlanguage link multi|Summit (film)|fr|3=Summit (film)|lt=Summit}}'' (1968, directed by {{Interlanguage link multi|Giorgio Bontempi|fr}}) * ''{{Interlanguage link multi|Summit (film)|fr|3=Summit (film)|lt=Summit}}'' (1968, directed by {{Interlanguage link multi|Giorgio Bontempi|fr}})
* '']'' (1969, directed by ]) as Gramigna * '']'' (1969, directed by Carlo Lizzani) as Gramigna
* '']'' (1969, directed by ]) as Renno * '']'' (1969, directed by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani) as Renno
* '']'' (], directed by ]) as Il Dottore – Former head of homicide squad * '']'' (1970, directed by Elio Petri) as "Il Dottore", the Police Inspector
* '']'' (1970, directed by ] and the ]) as Le ranger nordiste * '']'' (1970, directed by ] and the ]) as Le ranger nordiste
* '']'' (1970, directed by ]) as Lt. Ottolenghi * '']'' (1970, directed by ]) as Lt. Ottolenghi
* '']'' (1970, directed by ]) as Vogel * '']'' (1970, directed by ]) as Vogel
* '']'' (1971, directed by ]) as Bartolomeo Vanzetti * '']'' (1971, directed by ]) as Bartolomeo Vanzetti
* '']'' (1977, directed by ]) as Lulù Massa * '']'' (1971, directed by Elio Petri) as Lulù Massa
* '']'' (1972, directed by ]) as Enrico Mattei * '']'' (1972, directed by Francesco Rosi) as Enrico Mattei
* '']'' (1972, directed by ]) as Sadiel – un leader progresste maghrebin * '']'' (1972, directed by ]) as Sadiel
* '']'' (1972, directed by ]) as Bizanti * '']'' (1972, directed by ]) as Bizanti
* '']'' (1973, directed by ]) as Charles 'Lucky' Luciano * '']'' (1973, directed by Francesco Rosi) as Charles 'Lucky' Luciano
* '']'' (1973, directed by ]) as Giordano Bruno * '']'' (1973, directed by ]) as Giordano Bruno
* '']'' (1975, directed by ]) as Emilio * '']'' (1975, directed by ]) as Emilio
* '']'' (1976, directed by ]) as Gregorio * '']'' (1976, directed by ]) as Gregorio
* '']'' (1976, directed by ]) as M. * '']'' (1976, directed by Elio Petri) as M.
* '']'' (1977, directed by ]) as Brigadiere Ludovico Graziano * '']'' (1977, directed by Damiano Damiani) as Brigadiere Ludovico Graziano
* '']'' (1979, directed by ]) as Carlo Levi * '']'' (1979, directed by Francesco Rosi) as Carlo Levi
* '']'' (1979, directed by ]) as Izarra * '']'' (1979, directed by ]) as Izarra
* ''Stark System'' (1980, directed by Armenia Balducci) as Stark * ''Stark System'' (1980, directed by Armenia Balducci) as Stark
* '']'' (1981, directed by ]) as Plessis * '']'' (1981, directed by ]) as Plessis
* ''{{Interlanguage link multi|La Certosa di Parma (1982)|it|3=La Certosa di Parma (miniserie televisiva 1982)|lt=La Certosa di Parma}}'' (1982, TV miniseries, directed by ]) as Count Mosca * ''{{Interlanguage link multi|La Certosa di Parma (1982)|it|3=La Certosa di Parma (miniserie televisiva 1982)|lt=La Certosa di Parma}}'' (1982, TV miniseries, directed by Mauro Bolognini) as Count Mosca
* '']'' (1983, directed by ]) as Bernard Fontana * '']'' (1983, directed by ]) as Bernard Fontana
* '']'' (1986, directed by ]) as Aldo Moro * '']'' (1986, directed by ]) as Aldo Moro
* '']'' (1987, directed by ]) as Dr. Cristo Bedoya * '']'' (1987, directed by Francesco Rosi) as Dr. Cristo Bedoya
* '']'' (1987, directed by ]) as Felice * '']'' (1987, directed by Luigi Comencini) as Felice
* '']'' (1988, directed by ]) as Zénon * '']'' (1988, directed by ]) as Zénon
* '']'' (1989, directed by ]) as Pestalozzi * '']'' (1989, directed by ]) as Pestalozzi
* '']'' (1990, directed by ]) as Alberto Landolfi * '']'' (1990, directed by ]) as Alberto Landolfi
* '']'' (1990, directed by ]) as Judge Vito Di Francesco * '']'' (1990, directed by ]) as Judge Vito Di Francesco
* '']'' (1991, directed by ]) as Carmelo Franzò * '']'' (1991, directed by ]) as Carmelo Franzò
* '']'' (1993, directed by ]) as Bergama * '']'' (1993, directed by ]) as Bergama
* '']'' (1993, directed by ]) as Santos Banderas (final film role) * '']'' (1993, directed by ]) as Santos Banderas (final film role)
Line 123: Line 122:
{{Nastro d'Argento Best Actor}} {{Nastro d'Argento Best Actor}}
{{Silver Bear for Best Actor}} {{Silver Bear for Best Actor}}
{{Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement}}
}} }}


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] ]
]
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Latest revision as of 17:54, 4 October 2024

Italian actor (1933–1994)

Gian Maria Volonté
Volonté in Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)
Born(1933-04-09)9 April 1933
Milan, Kingdom of Italy
Died6 December 1994(1994-12-06) (aged 61)
Florina, Greece
Other namesJohn Wells
Johnny Wels
OccupationActor
Years active1957–1994
Partner(s)Carla Gravina
Armenia Balducci
Angelica Ippolito (1977–his death)
ChildrenGiovanna Gravina
Mauriel Morejon
RelativesClaudio Camaso (brother)
Websitewww.gianmariavolonte.it

Gian Maria Volonté (9 April 1933 – 6 December 1994) was an Italian actor and activist. He is best known for his roles in four Spaghetti Western films: Ramón Rojo in Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars (1964), El Indio in Leone's For a Few Dollars More (1965), El Chuncho Munoz in Damiano Damiani's A Bullet for the General (1966) and Professor Brad Fletcher in Sergio Sollima's Face to Face (1967).

He had notable roles in high-profile social dramas depicting the political and social stirrings of Italian and European society in the 1960s and 1970s, including four films directed by Elio Petri – We Still Kill the Old Way (1967), Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970), The Working Class Goes to Heaven (1971), and Todo modo (1976). He is also recognized for his performances in Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Cercle Rouge (1970), Giuliano Montaldo's Sacco & Vanzetti (1971) and Giordano Bruno (1973), and Francesco Rosi's Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979).

Among other accolades, Volonté won two David di Donatello Awards and three Nastro d'Argento Awards. He won the Best Actor Award at the 36th Cannes Film Festival for The Death of Mario Ricci (1983), and the Silver Bear at the 37th Berlin International Film Festival for The Moro Affair (1986). Director Francisco Rosi said that he "stole the soul of his characters".

Early life

Volonté was born in Milan, but grew up in Turin. His father Mario was a fascist officer from Saronno (province of Varese), who in 1944 was in command of the Brigata Nera of Chivasso, near Turin. His mother, Carolina Bianchi, belonged to a wealthy Milanese industrial family, and his younger brother Claudio was an actor as well. He went to Rome to train for an acting career at the Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico, obtaining a degree in 1957.

Career

Volonté made his debut in 1960 in Sotto dieci bandiere, directed by Duilio Coletti. Just four years later, he played "Ramón Rojo" in A Fistful of Dollars (1964), and "El Indio" in For a Few Dollars More (1965), both for cash reasons as he considered the two films to be generic exploitation entertainment and was more interested in projects with a political message. Both films were directed by the then-unknown Sergio Leone, and Volonté's roles in them would bring him his greatest recognition from American audiences. He played Carlo Levi in Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979), which was based on Levi's autobiographical account of his years in internal exile in Aliano, Southern Italy, in the 1930s. Volonté played the memorable role of the Bandito-turned-guerrilla, El Chuncho, in A Bullet for the General (1966).

Volonté's performances as memorable but neurotic characters, or as a gifted leader of brigands or revolutionaries, together with the unexpected, worldwide success of the films, gave him international fame. Volonté had already played comedies, including A cavallo della tigre (1961) by Luigi Comencini, and confirmed his versatility in L'armata Brancaleone (1966). However, he found his main dimension in dramatic roles for Banditi a Milano (1968), by Carlo Lizzani, Sbatti il mostro in prima pagina (1972) by Marco Bellocchio, La Classe operaia va in paradiso (1972) by his friend Elio Petri, and Il sospetto (1975) by Francesco Maselli.

Homage to Gian Maria Volonté (seen in his role as Carlo Levi in Christ Stopped at Eboli) by Reginald Gray

In 1968, Volonté won a Silver Ribbon as best actor for A ciascuno il suo, also directed by Elio Petri. Volonté received the same award for two other performances: Petri's Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto (1971, winner of an Academy Award as best foreign film), considered by many to be his finest; and in The Abyss (1989).

In 1983 he won the award for Best Actor at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival for La Mort de Mario Ricci. Four years later, at the 37th Berlin International Film Festival, he won the Silver Bear for Best Actor for Il caso Moro. In 1988 Volonté starred in the Cannes Film Festival Official Selection, The Abyss, as a physician-alchemist. The film was directed by André Delvaux from Marguerite Yourcenar's famous novel of the same name. In 1990, Volonté was named Best European Actor for Porte aperte. In 1991, at the 48th Venice International Film Festival, he won the Golden Lion for career achievement.

Personal life

Volonté was a strong political activist and known for his pro-communist leanings. In 1981, he helped Oreste Scalzone to flee from capture in Italy to Denmark. He was the partner of Italian actress and Italian Communist Party deputy Carla Gravina for almost 10 years after they met when they played Romeo and Juliet in a theatre production in 1960. The two had a daughter Giovanna, born in the early 1960s. Actress Angelica Ippolito was his companion from 1977 until his death in 1994.

Death

Volonté died from a heart attack at the age of 61 in 1994 at Florina, Greece, during the filming of Ulysses' Gaze. Volonté's grave is in a small cemetery on the Sardinian island of La Maddalena, according to his wishes.

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ "Gian Maria Volonté Credits". tvguide.com. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  2. Lancia, Enrico; Poppi, Roberto (2003). Dizionario del cinema italiano. Gli artisti. Gli attori dal 1930 ai giorni nostri. M - Z. Vol. 3. Gremese Editore. p. 283. ISBN 9788884402691.
  3. ^ "Gian Maria Volonté anniversary, 20 years after the death of the actor a memory with his 10 best performances". huffingtonpost.it. 5 December 2014. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Italian cinema: Gian Maria Volonté's 90th anniversary". wetheitalians.com. 20 May 2023.
  5. "Accademia Nazionale d'Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico". accademiasilviodamico.it. 2018.
  6. Farino, Ernest (August 2020). "A Fistful of Pasta: The Italian Westerns of Sergio Leone". RetroFan (10). United States: TwoMorrows Publishing: 63.
  7. "Berlinale: 1987 Prize Winners". berlinale.de. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
  8. Schwartz, Dennis (5 August 2019). "It's a solid film, but I expect more from the great Delvaux". Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews. Dennis Scwartz Movie Reviews. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  9. "Gian Maria Volonte (1933–94)". Historical Materialism. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Scalzone: 'Mi Fece Scappare Dall' Italia'". La Repubblica. 7 December 1994. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  11. ^ Tagliabue, John (7 December 1994). "Gian Maria Volonte Dies at 61; A Prize-Winning Italian Actor". The New York Times.

External links

Awards for Gian Maria Volonté
Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor
1946–1975
1976–2000
2001–present
David di Donatello Award for Best Actor
1956–1975
1976–2000
2001–present
Nastro d'Argento Award for Best Actor
1946–1970
1971–1990
1991–2010
2011–present
Silver Bear for Best Actor
1956–1975
1976–2000
2001–2020
Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement
1969–2000
2001–present
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