Ed Fury (born Rupert Edmund Holovchik; June 6, 1928) is an American bodybuilder, actor, and model. He is best known for starring in a number of " sword-and-sandal" films in the 1950s and 1960s.

Biography

Born in Long Island, New York, Fury moved to

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

in the late 1940s and competed in numerous bodybuilding competitions, such as "Mr. Muscle Beach" in 1951 and 1953, coming in third and second respectively. In addition, he worked as a physique model for photographers Bob Mizer and

Bruce Bellas Bruce Harry Bellas (July 7, 1909 – July 1974) was an American photographer. He was influential in his work with male physiques and nudes. Bellas was well known under the pseudonym Bruce of Los Angeles. History and influence Bruce Harry Bellas ...

, and also made a couple of loops for Mizer's male erotica studio Athletic Model Guild (AMG). Fury began his acting career as a stage actor. After appearing in a handful of uncredited parts in films, he received his first bigger role in '' The Wild Women of Wongo'' (1958). In the 1960s, Fury travelled to

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

and took advantage of the popularity of "sword-and-sandal" films. Led by Steve Reeves, who starred in ''

Hercules Hercules (, ) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures. The Romans adapted the ...

'' (1958), the popularity of those films allowed Fury to star in films such as ''

Colossus and the Amazon Queen ''Colossus and the Amazon Queen'' ( it, La regina delle Amazzoni/ ''Queen of the Amazons'') is a 1960 Italian sword and sandal comedy film directed by Vittorio Sala. Cast *Rod Taylor as Pirro *Ed Fury as Glauco *Dorian Gray as Antiope *Danie ...

'' (1960), ''

The Seven Revenges ''The Seven Revenges'' ( it, Le sette sfide, also known as ''Ivan the Conqueror'') is a 1961 Italian adventure film directed by Primo Zeglio. It features American actress Elaine Stewart and was filmed in Yugoslavia. Plot The leaders of Circas ...

'' (1961), and ''

Maciste Against the Sheik ''Maciste against the Sheik'' (Italian:''Maciste contro lo sceicco'') is a 1926 Italian silent adventure film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Bartolomeo Pagano, Franz Sala and Felice Minotti. It was part of the long-running Maciste se ...

'' (1962). He also starred as Ursus in the film trilogy '' Ursus'' (1961), ''

Ursus in the Valley of the Lions ''Ursus in the Valley of the Lions'' ( it, Ursus nella valle dei leoni, also known as '' Valley of the Lions'') is a 1962 Italian sword-and-sandal film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia. Although it was the fourth film in the Italian "Ursus" se ...

'' (1961), and '' Ursus in the Land of Fire'' (1963), before the popularity of "sword-and-sandal" films waned. Fury returned to acting in the early 1970s and appeared mostly in small parts in television series.

Selected filmography

* ''

Raw Edge ''Raw Edge'' is a 1956 American Western film directed by John Sherwood starring Rory Calhoun, Yvonne de Carlo, Mara Corday. It marked the movie debut of John Gavin under the name "John Gilmore". Plot In 1842, before law and order has come ...

'' (1956) * '' The Wild Women of Wongo'' (1958) * ''

'' (1960) * '' Ursus'' (1961) * ''

'' (1961) * ''

Maciste against the Sheik ''Maciste against the Sheik'' (Italian:''Maciste contro lo sceicco'') is a 1926 Italian silent adventure film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Bartolomeo Pagano, Franz Sala and Felice Minotti. It was part of the long-running Maciste se ...

'' (1962) * '' Ursus in the Land of Fire'' (1963)

References

Sources

External links

* Living people 1928 births 20th-century American male actors American bodybuilders American male adult models Male actors from California People associated with physical culture People from Long Island {{US-entertainer-stub