William Berger, also known as Bill Berger and Wilhelm Berger, born Wilhelm Thomas Berger (June 20, 1928 – October 2, 1993) was an

Austrian American Austrian Americans (, ) are Americans of Austrian descent, chiefly German-speaking Catholics and Jews. According to the 2000 U.S. census, there were 735,128 Americans of full or partial Austrian descent, accounting for 0.3% of the population. The ...

actor, mostly associated with Euro and

spaghetti Western The Spaghetti Western is a broad subgenre of Western films produced in Europe. It emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone's film-making style and international box-office success. The term was used by foreign critics because most o ...

s, as well as

travel documentaries A travel documentary is a documentary film, television program, or online series that describes travel in general or tourist attractions without recommending particular package deals or tour operators. A travelogue film is an early type of travel ...

Biography

Career

A former roommate of

Keith Richards Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943), often referred to during the 1960s and 1970s as "Keith Richard", is an English musician and songwriter who has achieved international fame as the co-founder, guitarist, secondary vocalist, and co-princi ...

, his earliest work was in

Broadway theatre Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''T ...

, but while visiting Italy, he was cast in his first Western, ''Break Up'', in 1965. A series of Westerns followed, including ''

Faccia a faccia ''Face to Face'' ( it, Faccia a faccia; es, Cara a cara) is a 1967 Spaghetti Western film co-written and directed by Sergio Sollima and produced by Alberto Grimaldi. The film stars Gian Maria Volonté, Tomas Milian and William Berger, and featu ...

'' (1967), ''

Today We Kill, Tomorrow We Die! ''Today We Kill... Tomorrow We Die!'' ( it, Oggi a me... domani a te) also known as ''Today It's Me... Tomorrow You!'', is a 1968 Spaghetti Western film. It is the directorial debut of Tonino Cervi, who co-wrote the film with Dario Argento.Hughes ...

'' (1968), ''

If You Meet Sartana Pray for Your Death ''If You Meet Sartana Pray for Your Death'' ( it, Se incontri Sartana prega per la tua morte) is a 1968 Spaghetti Western film directed by Gianfranco Parolini. The film stars Gianni Garko, William Berger, Fernando Sancho and Klaus Kinski, and ...

'' (1968), '' Sabata'' (1969), and ''

Keoma Keoma is a hamlet in southern Alberta under the jurisdiction of Rocky View County. Keoma is located approximately 35 km (21 mi) northeast of Downtown Calgary, on Highway 566, 2.0 km (1.2 mi) east of Highway 9 and 19 km (12 mi) north of the ...

'' (1975). He also starred in the horror films '' Five Dolls for an August Moon'', ''

My Dear Killer ''My Dear Killer'' ( it, Mio caro assassino) is a 1972 Italian-Spanish giallo film directed by Tonino Valerii and starring George Hilton, Marilù Tolo, Patty Shepard, Helga Line, Salvo Randone and William Berger. Some critics considered it "one ...

'', '' Monster Shark'', and '' The Murder Clinic''. Berger was heavily into drug experimentation, which frequent co-star Brett Halsey said sometimes interfered with filming, recounting one incident where they were shooting a scene on horseback and without warning Berger leant forwards and slid off his horse. In the early 1970s, Berger spent some time in an Italian prison, having been wrongly accused of possession of

hashish Hashish ( ar, حشيش, ()), also known as hash, "dry herb, hay" is a drug made by compressing and processing parts of the cannabis plant, typically focusing on flowering buds (female flowers) containing the most trichomes. European Monitoring ...

and

cocaine Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly used recreationally for its euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from the leaves of two Coca species native to South Am ...

, but resumed his acting career after his release. His later fare included ''

Super Fly T.N.T. ''Super Fly T.N.T.'' is a 1973 American blaxploitation crime drama film directed and starring Ron O'Neal. O'Neal reprises his role of Youngblood Priest from the 1972 film '' Super Fly''. The film was both a critical and commercial failure accord ...

'' (1973), '' Oil!'' (1977), ''

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 ...

'' (1983), and '' The King's Whore'' (1990). His 1985 memoirs, ''Half Way Home'', recount his life to that point. Berger collaborated with his good friend, famed Spanish horror film director

Jesus Franco Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/ Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...

, appearing in seven of his films: ''The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff'', ''Night of the Killers'', ''Faceless'', ''Golden Temple Amazons'', ''Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun'', ''Dirty Game in Casablanca'', and ''A Captain of 15 Years''.

Personal life

William Berger was married five times and was father to five children (and adopted a sixth). He had three children with his first wife Marjorie Berger: daughters Carin Berger (born in 1952) and actress Debra Berger (born March 17, 1957), and son Wendell Nelson Berger (born December 28, 1972). After his marriage to Marjorie ended, he married actress Carolyn Lobravico. While Berger was busy with the filming of ''The Murder Clinic'', Carolyn was arrested for drug possession. A

diabetic Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

, she died in prison from lack of

insulin Insulin (, from Latin ''insula'', 'island') is a peptide hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreatic islets encoded in humans by the ''INS'' gene. It is considered to be the main anabolic hormone of the body. It regulates the metabolism ...

. His third marriage was to singer and actress

Hanja Kochansky Hanja Kochansky is a Croatian writer and actress. A refugee to Italy during the Second World War, in 1948 she went to Johannesburg as an emigrant. In 1966, she played one of Elizabeth Taylor's handmaidens in the film ''Cleopatra''. In 1972, he ...

. They had one child together, a son Kasimir Berger (born in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

on October 7, 1974). Berger was also stepfather to actress

Katya Berger Katya Bebb Cobham (Berger) (born 1966) (sometimes credited as Katia Berger or Katja Berger) is a film actress. Biography Katya Berger was born on 13 December 1966 in London, England. She is the daughter of Hugh Russell Bebb and the Croatian sin ...

, the daughter of Hanja Kochansky from a previous relationship. Berger starred with his son Kasimir in the TV

miniseries A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format ...

Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus * lij, Cristoffa C(or)ombo * es, link=no, Cristóbal Colón * pt, Cristóvão Colombo * ca, Cristòfor (or ) * la, Christophorus Columbus. (; born between 25 August and 31 October 1451, died 20 May 1506) was a ...

'' and ''

Tuareg – The Desert Warrior ''Tuareg – Il guerriero del deserto'' (internationally released as ''Tuareg – The Desert Warrior'' and ''Desert Warrior'') is a 1984 Spanish-Italian adventure-action film directed by Enzo G. Castellari. The film is based on a novel with th ...

''. After his divorce from Kochansky, he married his fourth wife, Dörte Völz. With her, he had a son named Alexander Völz. His fifth and last marriage was to Linda Berger. William Berger died on October 2, 1993 in Los Angeles, California, of

prostate cancer Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancerous tumor worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that su ...

. Director

was particularly upset by his passing, speaking of his grief in various interviews. Franco mentioned in a DVD interview (an extra feature on the DVD ''The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff'') that Berger died from some type of brittle bone disease.

Selected filmography

*'' Back Street'' (1961) - Airport Attendant (uncredited) *'' Von Ryan's Express'' (1965) - Man from the Gestapo (uncredited) *'' Break Up'' (1965) - Benny (segment "L'uomo dei 5 palloni") (uncredited) *'' Ringo's Big Night'' (1966) - Jack Balman / Ringo *'' The Murder Clinic'' (1966) - Dr. Robert Vance *''Cisco'' (1966) - El Cisco *''

A Bullet for the General ''A Bullet for the General'' ( es, Quién sabe?; original title means "Who knows?", in the Spanish language), also known as ''El Chucho Quién Sabe?'', is a 1966 Italian Zapata Western film directed by Damiano Damiani and starring Gian Maria Vol ...

'' (1967) - Bill 'Niño' Tate (English version, voice, uncredited) *''

Her Harem ''Her Harem'' ( it, L'harem, released in UK as ''The Harem'') is a 1967 Italian comedy-drama film written and directed by Marco Ferreri and starring Carroll Baker, Gastone Moschin and Renato Salvatori. Plot A woman has a number of male lovers so, ...

'' (1967) - Mario *'' The Day the Fish Came Out'' (1967) - Man in Bed *'' Face to Face'' (1967) - Charley 'Chas' A. Siringo *''

'' (1968) - Francis 'Colt' Moran *''

Every Bastard a King ''Every Bastard a King'' ( he, כל ממזר מלך, translit. Kol Mamzer Melech) is a 1968 Israeli drama film directed by Uri Zohar. The film was selected as the Israeli entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 41st Academy Awards ...

'' (1968) - Roy Hemmings *''Il suo nome gridava vendetta'' (1968) - Sam Kellogg *''

'' (1968) - Lasky *' (1968) - Velte *''

A Noose for Django ''No Room To Die'' ( it, Una lunga fila di croci, also known as ''Hanging for Django'' and ''A Noose for Django'') is a 1969 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Garrone. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Spaghetti Westerns ...

'' (1969) - Everett 'Bible' Murdock *''Köpfchen in das Wasser, Schwänzchen in die Höh (1969) - Grüner, Filmproduzent *'' Sabata'' (1969) - Banjo *''Ombre roventi'' (1970) - Caleb *''La colomba non deve volare'' (1970) *'' Five Dolls for an August Moon'' (1970) - Prof. Gerry Farrell *'' Sartana in the Valley of Death'' (1970) - Lee Calloway aka Sartana *''

They Call Him Cemetery ''They Call Me Cemetery'' ( it, Gli fumavano le Colt... lo chiamavano Camposanto, also known as ''His Pistols Smoked... They Call Him Cemetery'' and ''A Bullet for a Stranger'') is a 1971 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Giuliano Carnime ...

'' (1971) - Duke *''

'' (1972) - Giorgio Canavese *''

The Big Bust Out ''The Big Bust Out'' is the US title of an Italian women in prison film, ''The Crucified Girls of San Ramon'' ''(Io Monaca... per tre Carogne e Sette Peccatrici)''. The US rights were bought by Roger Corman for New World Pictures, who cut out 20 ...

'' (1972) - Bob Shaw *''La vita in gioco'' (1972) - Andrea *''

The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1973) - Dr. Orloff *''Una colt in mano al diavolo'' (1973) - Isaac McCorney *''Il giustiziere di Dio'' (1973) - Padre Tony Lang *''

'' (1973) - Lefebre *''...E il terzo giorno arrivò il corvo'' (1973) - The Crow *''

Verflucht dies Amerika Yankee Dudler ( ger, Verflucht dies Amerika) is a 1973 German-Spanish western film directed by Volker Vogeler, written by Ulf Miehe and Volker Vogeler, composed by Luis de Pablo and starred by Arthur Brauss, Francisco Algora and Joaquín Rodrí ...

'' (1973) -

Doc Holliday John Henry Holliday (August 14, 1851 – November 8, 1887), better known as Doc Holliday, was an American Old West, American gambling, gambler, gunfighter, and dentistry, dentist. A close friend and associate of Sheriff, lawman Wyatt Earp, H ...

*''

Fasthand ''Fasthand'' ( it, Mi chiamavano "Requiescat"... ma avevano sbagliato, es, Mano rápida, also known as ''Fasthand is Still My Name'' and ''Fast Gun Is Still My Name'') is a List of Italian films of 1973, 1973 Cinema of Italy, Italian-Cinema of Sp ...

'' (1973) - Machedo *''

Man with the Golden Winchester '' Man with the Golden Winchester'' ( it, Il figlio di Zorro, es, El hijo del Zorro, also known as ''Son of Zorro'') is a 1973 Spaghetti Western-adventure film directed by Gianfranco Baldanello and starring Alberto Dell'Acqua and Fernando Sanc ...

'' (1973) - Mathias Boyd *''…altrimenti vi ammucchiamo'' (1973) - Angelo Biondo *''Un capitán de quince años'' (1974) - Negoro *''

Three Tough Guys ''Three Tough Guys'' (also known as ''Tough Guys'') is a 1974 crime-action film directed by Duccio Tessari. It may be regarded as an example of the Blaxploitation genre. It stars Lino Ventura, Fred Williamson and Isaac Hayes, who also compo ...

'' (1974) - Captain Ryan *''Situation'' (1974) - Ralf *''La noche de los asesinos'' (1974) - Baron Simon Tobias *''La merveilleuse visite'' (1974) *''Terminal'' (1974) - Rudolph Arnheim *'' Parapsycho – Spectrum of Fear'' (1975) - Professor *''

The Career of a Chambermaid ''Telefoni bianchi'' (''White Telephones'', internationally released as ''The Career of a Chambermaid'') is a 1976 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. For this film Agostina Belli was awarded with a Special David di Donatello for her pe ...

'' (1976) - Franz *''

Nick the Sting ''Nick the Sting'' ( it, Gli amici di Nick Hezard) is a 1976 Italian film directed by Fernando Di Leo. It stars actor Gabriele Ferzetti. Cast *Luc Merenda as Nick Hezard *Lee J. Cobb as Robert Clark *Gabriele Ferzetti as Maurice *Luciana Paluzzi a ...

'' (1976) - Roizman *''Il colpaccio'' (1976) *''

And Agnes Chose to Die ''L'Agnese va a morire'', internationally released as ''And Agnes Chose to Die'', is a 1976 Italian drama film directed by Giuliano Montaldo. It is based on a novel of the same name by Renata Viganò which won the Viareggio Prize in 1949. Cast ...

'' (1976) - Clinto *''

'' (1976) - William Shannon *'' Oil!'' (1977) - Bill Mann *''

Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun ''Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun'' (german: Die Liebesbriefe einer portugesischen Nonne) is a 1977 West German-Swiss film directed by Jesús Franco and produced by Erwin Dietrich, loosely based on the ''Letters of a Portuguese Nun'' attributed ...

'' (1977) - Father Vicente *''

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

'' (1977) - Mr. Preston *''Per questa notte'' (1977) *''

Wifemistress ''Wifemistress'' ( it, Mogliamante) is a 1977 Italian romantic movie directed by Marco Vicario. Plot Ever since her husband pronounced her frigid on the night of their wedding, Antonia DeAngelis (Laura Antonelli) has been bedridden. When her hu ...

'' (1977) - Count Brandini *''Porco mondo'' (1978) - Senator Alberici *''Comincerà tutto un mattino: io donna tu donna'' (1978) - Luciano *''Die Totenschmecker'' (1979) - Felix *''

I viaggiatori della sera ''I viaggiatori della sera'' is a 1979 Italian/Spanish science fiction- drama film written and directed by Ugo Tognazzi. It is loosely based on a novel with the same name by Umberto Simonetta. Cast * Ugo Tognazzi: Orso * Ornella Vanoni: Nicki ...

'' (1979) - Cocky Fontana *''Holocaust parte seconda: i ricordi, i deliri, la vendetta'' (1980) - Col. Hans *''

Day of the Cobra ''Day of the Cobra'' ( it, Il giorno del Cobra) is a 1980 Italian ''poliziottesco'' film directed by Enzo G. Castellari. Production Director Enzo G. Castellari initially approached Vasile with a script written by Vasile's son. The boxing film ...

'' (1980) - Jack Goldsmith *''Ripacsok'' (1981) *''Bosco d'amore'' (1981) *'' The Girl from Trieste'' (1982) - Charly *''Diamond Connection'' (1982) - Inspector *''

Ironmaster An ironmaster is the manager, and usually owner, of a forge or blast furnace for the processing of iron. It is a term mainly associated with the period of the Industrial Revolution, especially in Great Britain. The ironmaster was usually a large ...

'' (1983) - Mogo *''

'' (1983) - King Minos *''Il momento dell'avventura'' (1983) - Doyle *''

Hanna K. ''Hanna K.'' is a 1983 American drama film directed by Costa-Gavras, starring Jill Clayburgh and Gabriel Byrne. The film was an attempt to depict the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in human terms.Cheryl A. Rubenberg. "Israel and the American Nation ...

'' (1983) - German journalist *''El asesino llevaba medias negras'' (1984) *'' Monster Shark'' (1984) - Prof. Donald West *' (1984) - Phillip Marboe *'' Moving Targets'' (1984) - Broschat *''

'' (1985, TV Mini-Series) -

Francisco de Bobadilla Francisco Fernández de Bobadilla (c. 1448 – 1 July 1502) was an official under the Crown of Castile and a knight of the Order of Calatrava. He was also the brother of Beatriz de Bobadilla, marchioness (''marquesa'') of Moya and of Peñalosa ...

*'' The Adventures of Hercules'' (aka ''Hercules 2'') (1985) - King Minos *''Dirty Game in Casablanca'' (1985) - Dean Baker *'' Tex and the Lord of the Deep'' (1985) - Kit Carson *'' The Berlin Affair'' (1985) - The Professor *''

The Fifth Missile ''The Fifth Missile'' is a 1986 television movie starring Robert Conrad, Sam Waterston and David Soul about an American ballistic missile submarine, based on the novel ''The Gold Crew'' by Frank M. Robinson and Thomas N. Scortia. With the except ...

'' (1986, TV Movie) - Dr. Strickland *''

Tarot The tarot (, first known as '' trionfi'' and later as ''tarocchi'' or ''tarocks'') is a pack of playing cards, used from at least the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play card games such as Tarocchini. From their Italian roots ...

'' (1986) - Mittler *''Les amazones du temple d'or'' (1986) - Uruck the Temple Guardian / Priest *'' The Death of Empedocles'' (1987) - Kritias *''

Control Control may refer to: Basic meanings Economics and business * Control (management), an element of management * Control, an element of management accounting * Comptroller (or controller), a senior financial officer in an organization * Controlli ...

'' (1987) - Mr. Peterson *''

Strike Commando ''Strike Commando'' is a 1987 Vietnam war action film directed by Bruno Mattei and starring Reb Brown, Christopher Connelly and Alex Vitale. A sequel, ''Strike Commando II'' (''Trappola diabolica''), was released in 1988 and stars Brent Huff a ...

'' (1987) - Maj. Harriman (English version, voice, uncredited) *'' Distant Lights'' (1987) - Dr. Montanari *'' Django Strikes Again'' (1987) - Old Timer *''Hell Hunters'' (1988) - Karl *''

The Brother from Space ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1988) - Colonel Grant *'' Alien Terminator'' (1988) - Alonso Quintero *''Il nido del ragno'' (1988) - Mysterious Man *''

Dial Help Dial may refer to: Mechanical device *Rotary dial, a device for the input of number(s) in telephones and similar devices * Dialling, usually means to make a telephone call by turning the rotary dial or pressing the buttons *Dial (measurement), a ...

'' (1988) - Prof. Irving Klein *''Bachi da seta'' (1988) *''Maya'' (1989) - Salomon Slivak *''

I'm Dangerous Tonight ''I'm Dangerous Tonight'' is a 1990 American made-for-television supernatural horror film directed by Tobe Hooper and starring Mädchen Amick, Corey Parker, R. Lee Ermey and Anthony Perkins. It made its debut on USA Network on August 8, 1990. ...

'' (1990) - Penck *''Lex Minister'' (1990) *'' The King's Whore'' (1990) - Le Comte Longhi *''Un amore sconosciuto'' (1991) - Piero *''Buck ai confini del cielo'' (1991) - Grandpa Thomas *''Berlin '39'' (1993) - Ernest *''18000 giorni fa'' (1993) - Rosenbaud (uncredited)

References

External links

*
William Berger on a genealogical site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Berger, William 1928 births 1993 deaths Actors from Innsbruck Austrian emigrants to the United States Male Spaghetti Western actors 20th-century Austrian male actors Deaths from prostate cancer Deaths from cancer in California