Benito Stefanelli (2 September 1928 – 18 December 1999) was an Italian film actor,

stuntman A stunt performer, often called a stuntman or stuntwoman and occasionally stuntperson or stunt-person, is a trained professional who performs daring acts, often as a career. Stunt performers usually appear in films or on television, as opposed ...

and

weapons master The weapons master, sometimes credited as the armorer, weapons specialist, weapons handler, weapons wrangler, or weapons coordinator, is a film crew specialist that works with the property master, director, actors, stunt coordinator and script s ...

who made over 60 appearances in film between 1955 and 1991.

Biography and career

Stefanelli is best known in world cinema for his roles as henchmen in several of

Sergio Leone Sergio Leone ( ; ; 3 January 1929 – 30 April 1989) was an Italian filmmaker, credited as the pioneer of the spaghetti Western genre. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema. Leone's film-making style ...

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 filmmaking style and international box-office success. The term was used by foreign critics because most o ...

films, portraying gang members in the trilogy of films ''

A Fistful of Dollars ''A Fistful of Dollars'' (, (''For a Fistful of Dollars'')) is a 1964 spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood in his first leading role, alongside Gian Maria Volonté, Marianne Koch, Wolfgang Lukschy, Si ...

'' (1964), ''

For a Few Dollars More ''For a Few Dollars More'' () is a 1965 Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone. It stars Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef as bounty hunters and Gian Maria Volonté as the primary villain. Klaus Kinski plays a supporting role as a se ...

'' (1965), and ''

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ''The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'' (, literally "''The good, the ugly, the bad''") is a 1966 Italian epic spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood as "the Good", Lee Van Cleef as "the Bad", and Eli Wallach a ...

'' (1966). He played the town drunk in '' Wanted'' (1967) starring

Giuliano Gemma Giuliano Gemma (; 2 September 1938 – 1 October 2013) was an Italian actor. He is best known internationally for his work in Spaghetti Westerns, particularly for his performances as the title character in Duccio Tessari's '' A Pistol for Ringo'' ...

and

Serge Marquand Serge Paul Gabriel Marquand (12 March 1930 – 4 September 2004) was a French actor. Biography Marquand was born in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône. He was the brother of actor Christian Marquand and filmmaker Nadine Trintignant. He died of ac ...

. In his career, Stefanelli appeared in countless other

western films The Western is a film genre defined by the American Film Institute as films which are "set in the American West that mbodythe spirit, the struggle, and the demise of the Frontier Thesis, new frontier." Generally set in the American frontier b ...

and he worked simultaneously as a stunt coordinator (particularly during the 1960s and early 1970s) on the films that he performed in including those of

. A fluent English speaker, he also reportedly served as

Clint Eastwood Clinton Eastwood Jr. (born May 31, 1930) is an American actor and film director. After achieving success in the Western (genre), Western TV series ''Rawhide (TV series), Rawhide'', Eastwood rose to international fame with his role as the "Ma ...

's interpreter together with Bill Thompkins on the set of ''A Fistful of Dollars''.

Selected filmography

* ''

Ulysses Ulysses is the Latin name for Odysseus, a legendary Greek hero recognized for his intelligence and cunning. He is famous for his long, adventurous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, as narrated in Homer's Odyssey. Ulysses may also refer ...

'' (1954) – Elatos (uncredited) * ''Il terrore della maschera rossa'' (1960) * ''

Messalina Valeria Messalina (; ) was the third wife of Roman emperor Claudius. She was a paternal cousin of Emperor Nero, a second cousin of Emperor Caligula, and a great-grandniece of Emperor Augustus. A powerful and influential woman with a reputation ...

'' (1960) * ''La strada dei giganti'' (1960) * ''

La sceriffa ''La sceriffa'' (''The Sheriff'') is a 1959 Italian Western comedy in black-and-white, directed by Roberto Bianchi Montero. It stars Italian comedy star Ugo Tognazzi. It was released on 16 August 1959. The film starred several comedians and spawne ...

'' (1960) * ''L'ultimo dei vichinghi'' (1961) – Lorig, amico di Guntar (uncredited) * ''Capitani di ventura'' (1961) * ''

The Trojan Horse In Greek mythology, the Trojan Horse () was a wooden horse said to have been used by the Greeks during the Trojan War to enter the city of Troy and win the war. The Trojan Horse is not mentioned in Homer's ''Iliad'', with the poem ending befor ...

'' (1961) * ''

Duel of the Titans ''Duel of the Titans'' () is a 1961 Italian / French film directed by Sergio Corbucci and starring Steve Reeves, Gordon Scott, and Virna Lisi. The film is about twin brothers revolt against tyranny in pre-Roman Italy and then come to a parting of ...

'' (1961) – Soldato con Amulio * '' The Slave'' (1962) – Nordic blond slave * '' The Avenger'' (1962) – Nisius, Euryalus' Friend * ''

A Queen for Caesar ''A Queen for Caesar'' (, ) is a 1962 Italian-French historical drama film directed by Piero Pierotti and Victor Tourjansky and starring Pascale Petit, George Ardisson and Rik Battaglia. It is set in Egypt in 48 BC. Unlike other films about Cae ...

'' (1962) – Commerciante #2 (uncredited) * ''

Revenge of the Musketeers ''Revenge of the Musketeers'' may refer to * ''Revenge of the Musketeers'' (1994 film) * ''Revenge of the Musketeers'' (1964 film) {{dab, type=film ...

'' (1963) * ''

Zorro and the Three Musketeers ''Zorro and the Three Musketeers'' (, also known as ''Mask of the Musketeers'' and ''Zorro vs. the Three Musketeers'') is a 1963 Italian comedy-adventure film directed by Luigi Capuano and starring Gordon Scott. Plot In the 17th century, Zorro j ...

'' (1963) * ' (1963) – Fritz * ''L'ultima carica'' (1964) * ''

Grand Canyon Massacre ''Grand Canyon Massacre'' (Italian: ''Massacro al Grande Canyon'', lit. "Massacre at Grand Canyon") is a 1964 Italian Spaghetti Western filmed in Croatia starring James Mitchum, Milla Sannoner, and George Ardisson. It was directed by Sergio Co ...

'' (1964) – Gunman * ''

Castle of Blood ''Castle of Blood'' () is a 1964 gothic horror film directed by Antonio Margheriti and starring Barbara Steele, Georges Rivière, Margarete Robsahm, Arturo Dominici, Silvano Tranquilli and Umberto Raho. It was an Italian-French co-production ...

'' (1964) – William * ''

'' (1964) – Rubio * ''Per un dollaro a Tucson si muore'' (1964) – Charlie * ''

Revenge of The Gladiators ''Revenge of The Gladiators'' () is a 1964 Italian peplum film written and directed by Luigi Capuano and starring Mickey Hargitay and José Greci.Marco Giusti, Steve Della Casa. ''Il grande libro di Ercole. Il cinema mitologico in Italia''. Edizio ...

'' (1964) – Ardenzio, gladiatore * ''

Blood for a Silver Dollar ''Blood for a Silver Dollar'' () is a 1965 spaghetti Western film directed by Calvin Jackson Padget, written by George Finley and Padget, and starring Montgomery Wood and Evelyn Stewart. Plot synopsis Gary O'Hara, a Confederate Lieutenant, ...

'' (1965) – James * ''

'' (1965) – Luke 'Hughie' (Indio's Gang) * ''

Secret Agent Super Dragon ''Secret Agent Super Dragon'' () is a 1966 internationally co-produced Eurospy film directed by Giorgio Ferroni, and starring Ray Danton as the titular secret agent. Plot The plot centers on a secret agent and an evil organization that is dr ...

'' (1966) - Kirk * ''

The Upper Hand ''The Upper Hand'' is a British television sitcom with dramatic elements broadcast by ITV from 1 May 1990 to 14 October 1996. The programme was adapted from the American sitcom ''Who's the Boss?'' As in the former series, affluent single wo ...

'' (1966) * '' 100.000 dollari per Lassiter'' (1966) – Donovan, Foreman * ''Ypotron – Final Countdown'' (1966) – Il sicario Dwan * ''

For a Few Extra Dollars ''Fort Yuma Gold'' () is a 1966 Italian/Spanish/French international co-production Spaghetti Western film directed by Giorgio Ferroni. Plot Confederate Major Sanders (Jacques Sernas), continues fighting the North after the conclusion of the Amer ...

'' (1966) – Juko * ''

The Big Gundown ''The Big Gundown'' () is a 1967 spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Sollima, and starring Lee Van Cleef and Tomas Milian. It was followed by Run, Man, Run in 1968. Plot Possessing a reputation for bringing criminals to justice, ready-to- ...

'' (1966) – Jess, Widow's Ranchero * ''

'' (1966) – Member of Angel Eyes' Gang #1 * ''

The Hellbenders ''The Hellbenders'' () is a 1967 Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Corbucci and starring Joseph Cotten, Norma Bengell, Julián Mateos, Gino Pernice and Ángel Aranda. Plot Colonel Jonas is a fanatical and unrepentant Confederate who led ...

'' (1967) – Slim the Gambler * '' Wanted'' (1967) – Billy Baker * ''Gentleman Jo... uccidi'' (1967) – Larry * ''

Kill the Wicked! ''Kill the Wicked!'' (, also known as ''God Does Not Pay on Saturday'' and ''Kill the Wickeds'') is a 1967 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Tanio Boccia and starring Larry Ward and Rod Dana. Plot The outlaw Braddock is to be hanged in ...

'' (1967) * ''

Day of Anger ''Day of Anger'' ( , lit. "The Days of Wrath") is a 1967 Spaghetti Western film directed and co-written by Tonino Valerii and starring Lee Van Cleef and Giuliano Gemma, and features a musical score by Riz Ortolani. The film credits the novel ' ...

'' (1967) – Owen White, Killer * ''

Gunman Sent by God ''Il pistolero segnato da Dio'' () is a 1968 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Giorgio Ferroni and starring Anthony Steffen. Plot Cast * Anthony Steffen as Roy Kerry * Richard Wyler as Coleman * Ken Wood as Owl Roy * Liz Barret ...

'' (1968) * ''

A Sky Full of Stars for a Roof ''A Sky Full of Stars for a Roof'' () is a 1968 Italian Spaghetti Western comedy film. It is the second western film directed by Giulio Petroni. At first the director was to be Franco Giraldi, but then he moved to direct '' A Minute to Pray, a S ...

'' (1968) – Rick (uncredited) * ''

Once Upon a Time in the West ''Once Upon a Time in the West'' ( is a 1968 epic spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone, who co-wrote it with Sergio Donati, based on a story by Dario Argento, Bernardo Bertolucci and Leone. It stars Henry Fonda, playing against t ...

'' (1968) – Frank's Lieutenant (uncredited) * ''

Cemetery Without Crosses ''Cemetery Without Crosses'' (, ), is a 1969 Spaghetti Western film by Robert Hossein, its director, co-screenwriter and star. Plot Will Rogers, the patriarch of a wealthy cattle ranching family, forces the sheep farming Caine brothers — Ben ...

'' (1969) – Ben Caine (uncredited) * '' The Price of Power'' (1969) – Sheriff Jefferson * ''

Night of the Serpent ''Night of the Serpent'' (), also known as ''Nest of Vipers'', is a 1969 Italian spaghetti Western film co-written and directed by Giulio Petroni and starring Luke Askew, Luigi Pistilli, Magda Konopka, Giancarlo Badessi and Chelo Alonso. Synopsi ...

'' (1969) – Pancho * ''

Er Più – storia d'amore e di coltello ''Er Più – storia d'amore e di coltello'' is a 1971 Italian black comedy film directed by Sergio Corbucci. The film is inspired by the true story of Romeo Ottaviani, a Roman bully called ''er Tinèa''. In the film, a young gang member aspires ...

'' (1971) – Alfredo Di Lorenzo * ''

W Django! ''W Django!'' (also known as ''A Man Called Django!'' and ''Viva Django'') is a 1971 Italian Spaghetti Western film directed by Edoardo Mulargia and starring Anthony Steffen. Plot With the help of the horse thief Carranza, Django tracks down an ...

'' (1971) – Ibanez * ''

Trinity Is Still My Name ''Trinity Is Still My Name'' (, lit. "...They Kept Calling Him Trinity") is a 1971 Italian Spaghetti Western comedy film directed by Enzo Barboni. Starring the film duo of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer, it is a direct sequel to '' They Call M ...

'' (1971) – Stingary Smith * ''

Duck, You Sucker! ''Duck, You Sucker!'' (, lit. "Duck Your Head", "Get Down"), also known as ''A Fistful of Dynamite'' and ''Once Upon a Time ... the Revolution'', is a 1971 epic Zapata Western film directed and co-written by Sergio Leone and starring Rod Steige ...

'' (1971) – Soldier torturing Dr. Villega (deleted scene) * ''

So Sweet, So Dead ''So Sweet, So Dead'' (, also known as ''The Slasher is the Sex Maniac'' and ''Penetration'' (the US version with hardcore inserts involving Harry Reems and Kim Pope)) is a 1972 Italian giallo film directed by Roberto Bianchi Montero. Plot Ins ...

'' (1972) – Lilly's Husband * ''

A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die ''A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die'' (originally titled ''Una Ragione Per Vivere E Una Per Morire'', also known as ''Massacre at Fort Holman'') is a 1972 Technicolor Italian spaghetti Western movie starring James Coburn, Bud Spencer, and Telly S ...

'' (1972) – Samuel Pickett un ex condannato * ''Le Amazzoni – Donne d'amore e di guerra'' (1973) – Erno * '' My Name Is Nobody'' (1973) – Porteley * ''

War Goddess ''War Goddess'' (also known as ''The Amazons'' and ''The Bare-Breasted Warriors'') is a 1973 adventure film directed by Terence Young and starring Alena Johnston, Sabine Sun, Rosanna Yanni, Helga Liné, and Luciana Paluzzi. It was a co-produc ...

'' (1973) – Commander * ''Charleston'' (1974) – Niccolo Cappocello (uncredited) * '' White Fang to the Rescue'' (1974) – Jackson * ''

Violent Rome ''Violent Rome'' () is an Italian 1975 ''poliziottesco'' film directed by Marino Girolami It obtained a great commercial success and launched the career of Maurizio Merli. The film is the first entry into the ''Commissioner Betti'' Trilogy. Cast ...

'' (1975) – Grocery Store Robber (uncredited) * ''

A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe ''A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe'' () is a 1975 Spaghetti Western comedy film directed by Damiano Damiani. It was co-written and produced by Sergio Leone, who also directed the opening scene. Plot Joe Thanks (Terence Hill) is a genius conman. ...

'' (1975) – Mortimer * ''

The Cop in Blue Jeans ''The Cop in Blue Jeans'' () is a 1976 Italian crime and comedy film directed by Bruno Corbucci. The film was a major commercial success and generated a film series consisting of eleven entries starring Tomas Milian as Inspector Nico Giraldi. Pl ...

'' (1976) – Shelley's Henchman * '' Crimebusters'' (1976) – Rapist (uncredited) * ''

Hit Squad The Hit Squad is an American hip hop collective of East Coast hip hop artists. Originally formed in the 1990s by Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith of the rap group EPMD, the group included rap artists such as K-Solo, Redman, Das EFX, Top ...

'' (1976) – Gorniani, Attorney-at-Law * ''

El Macho ''El Macho'' (also known as ''Macho Killers'') is a 1977 Italian-Argentine Spaghetti Western film written and directed by Marcello Andrei and starring Carlos Monzón, George Hilton, Malisa Longo and Susana Giménez. Synopsis Kid El Macho, an ...

'' (1977) – Sheriff * '' The Payoff'' (1978) – Improta * ''

The Pumaman ''The Pumaman'' () is a 1980 Italian superhero film co-written and directed by Alberto De Martino, starring Walter George Alton as the title character and Donald Pleasence as the villain. It was featured in a 1998 episode of ''Mystery Science Thea ...

'' (1980) – Rankin, Kobras' Lieutenant * ''La guerra del ferro – Ironmaster'' (1983) – Iskay * ''

White Fire White Fire may refer to: * ''White Fire'' (film), a 1984 French-American-Italian-Turkish thriller film * ''White Fire'' (novel), a 2013 novel by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child * ''Three Steps to the Gallows ''Three Steps to the Gallows'' ...

'' (1985) – Barbossa (uncredited) * '' Ladyhawke'' (1985) – Bishop's Guard (uncredited) * '' Warbus'' (1986) – Debrard (uncredited) * '' The Barbarians'' (1987) – Greyshaft (uncredited) * ''

Cobra Verde ''Cobra Verde'' (also known as ''Slave Coast'') is a 1987 German drama film directed by Werner Herzog and starring Klaus Kinski, in their fifth and final collaboration. Based upon Bruce Chatwin's 1980 novel '' The Viceroy of Ouidah'', the film d ...

'' (1987) – Captain Pedro Vicente * ''Un maledetto soldato'' (1988) – Andrew Teitelman (uncredited) * ''

Phantom of Death ''Phantom of Death'' () is a 1988 Italian ''giallo'' film directed by Ruggero Deodato. It starred Michael York, Donald Pleasence and Edwige Fenech. Plot Robert Dominici is a pianist who suffers from a genetic condition that causes him to physi ...

'' (1988) – Man in Restroom (uncredited) * ''Transformations'' (1988) – Vapes * ''

The Pit and the Pendulum "The Pit and the Pendulum" is a short story by American writer Edgar Allan Poe and first published in 1842 in the literary annual ''The Gift: A Christmas and New Year's Present for 1843''. The story is about the torments endured by a prisoner o ...

'' (1991) – Lobo the Executioner (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stefanelli, Benito 1929 births 1999 deaths 20th-century Italian male actors Italian male film actors Italian stunt performers Male Spaghetti Western actors Male actors from Rome People of Lazian descent