John Kitzmiller (December 4, 1913 – February 23, 1965) was an American

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

who worked in his native land, as well as

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 re ...

and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

. Kitzmiller achieved his greatest fame as a popular and versatile actor in Europe, making an estimated forty European films. He was the first black actor to win the

Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor The Best Actor Award (french: Prix d'interprétation masculine) is an award presented at the Cannes Film Festival since 1946. It is given to an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance and chosen by the jury from the films in official co ...

1957 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1957th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 957th year of the 2nd millennium, the 57th year of the 20th century, and the 8th y ...

for his role in the Yugoslav (Slovenia) film '' Valley of Peace''. He is best-known for his role as

Quarrel Quarrel may refer to: * A heated disagreement * Crossbow bolt A bolt or quarrel is a dart-like projectile used by crossbows. The name "quarrel" is derived from the French word ''carré'', meaning square, referring to their typically square ...

in the very first EON-produced James Bond movie ''Dr. No''.

Early life

John Kitzmiller was born in

Battle Creek, Michigan Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, Michigan, Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo River, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek River, Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle C ...

, the younger of two children born to John B. and Mary E. Kitzmiller. In high school Kitzmiller was a member of the Chemistry Club, and he later attended the

University of Michigan , mottoeng = "Arts, Knowledge, Truth" , former_names = Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania (1817–1821) , budget = $10.3 billion (2021) , endowment = $17 billion (2021)As o ...

, receiving a

bachelor's degree A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...

chemical engineering Chemical engineering is an engineering field which deals with the study of operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials int ...

in 1937. He was commissioned in the

US Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

reaching the rank of captain in the Corps of Engineers. He was stationed in

in 1943, serving with the 92nd Infantry Division during the Italian campaign of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. Both of his parents died during his military service, events which likely influenced his decision to become one of the few black soldiers to remain in Italy after the war.

Acting career

Kitzmiller was discovered in 1946 by

Luigi Zampa Luigi Zampa (2 January 1905 – 16 August 1991) was an Italian film director. Biography Son of a worker, Zampa studied filmmaking from 1932 to 1937 at the Italian film school Centro sperimentale di cinematografia in Rome. He directed several ...

and

Carlo Ponti Carlo Fortunato Pietro Ponti Sr. (11 December 1912 – 9 January 2007) was an Italian film producer with more than 140 productions to his credit. Along with Dino De Laurentiis, he is credited with reinvigorating and popularizing Italian cinema ...

while playing

poker Poker is a family of comparing card games in which players wager over which hand is best according to that specific game's rules. It is played worldwide, however in some places the rules may vary. While the earliest known form of the game w ...

at an officers' club. This chance meeting led to his first acting role, in Zampa and Ponti's film ''

To Live in Peace ''To Live in Peace'' (Italian: ''Vivere in pace'') is a 1947 Italian neorealist comedy-drama war film directed by Luigi Zampa and starring Aldo Fabrizi, John Kitzmiller and Ave Ninchi.Gundle p.138 It was shot at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome a ...

'' in 1947. Kitzmiller frequently worked in

Italian neorealist Italian neorealism ( it, Neorealismo), also known as the Golden Age, is a national film movement characterized by stories set amongst the poor and the working class. They are filmed on location, frequently with non-professional actors. They pri ...

films. He made Italy his permanent residence and ultimately starred in more than fifty European films, often portraying characters fighting racism. He played the leading role of "Jerry" in the film ''

Senza pietà ''Without Pity'' ( it, Senza pietà) is a 1948 Italian film directed by Alberto Lattuada from a script by the director himself, Federico Fellini and Tullio Pinelli, from an original story by Ettore Margadonna. Plot As World War II ends, Africa ...

'' (''"Without Pity"''), from a screenplay by

Federico Fellini Federico Fellini (; 20 January 1920 – 31 October 1993) was an Italian film director and screenwriter known for his distinctive style, which blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness. He is recognized as one of the greatest and most i ...

Alberto Lattuada Alberto Lattuada (; 13 November 1914 – 3 July 2005) was an Italian film director. Career Lattuada was born in Vaprio d'Adda, the son of composer Felice Lattuada. He was initially interested in literature, becoming, while still a student, a mem ...

and

Tullio Pinelli Tullio Pinelli (24 June 1908 – 7 March 2009) was an Italian screenwriter known for his work on the Federico Fellini films ''I Vitelloni'', ''La Strada'', '' La Dolce Vita'' and '' 8½''. Biography Born in Turin, Piedmont, Italy, Pinelli beg ...

. He received awards commemorating both his role as an actor and as a soldier. In 1957, he was the first black actor to win a

best actor award Best Actor is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actors in a film, television series, television film or play. The term most often refers to the ...

at the

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...

for his role in the

Yugoslavia Yugoslavia (; sh-Latn-Cyrl, separator=" / ", Jugoslavija, Југославија ; sl, Jugoslavija ; mk, Југославија ;; rup, Iugoslavia; hu, Jugoszlávia; rue, label=Pannonian Rusyn, Югославия, translit=Juhoslavija ...

n (

Slovenia Slovenia ( ; sl, Slovenija ), officially the Republic of Slovenia (Slovene: , abbr.: ''RS''), is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the southeast, an ...

n) film '' Valley of Peace.'' Kitzmiller is most famous for his role as

in the 1962

James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors have ...

film '' Dr. No''.

Death

Kitzmiller died in Rome of a liver ailment at the age of 51.

Selected filmography

* ''

'' (1947) – Joe * ''Tombolo, paradiso nero'' (1947) – Jack * ''

'' (1948) – Jerry Jackson * ''Ti ritroverò'' (1949) – The MP * ''Monastero di Santa Chiara'' (1949) – Il negro * '' The Force of Destiny'' (1950) – Lo scudiero moro * ''

Variety Lights ''Variety Lights'' ( it, Luci del varietà) is a 1951 Italian romantic drama film produced, directed and written by Federico Fellini and Alberto Lattuada and starring Peppino De Filippo, Carla Del Poggio, and Giulietta Masina. The film is about a ...

'' (1950) – Trumpet player Johnny * ''

Wolves Hunt at Night ''Wolves Hunt at Night'' (French: ''Les Loups chassent la nuit'', Italian: ''La ragazza di Trieste'') is a 1952 French-Italian spy thriller film directed by Bernard Borderie and starring Jean-Pierre Aumont, Carla Del Poggio and Fernand Ledoux.Gi ...

'' (1952) – the black servant of Miguel * ''

Massacre in Lace ''Massacre in Lace'' (French: ''Massacre en dentelles'') is a 1952 French comedy crime film directed by André Hunebelle and starring Raymond Rouleau, Anne Vernon and Tilda Thamar. It was shot at the Saint-Maurice Studios in Paris. The film's s ...

'' (1952) – Rocky Saddler * ''

At Sword's Edge ''At Sword's Edge'' (Italian ''A fil di spada'') is a 1952 Italian swashbuckler film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Frank Latimore, Milly Vitale and Pierre Cressoy.Lancia & Melelli p.113 It was shot at Cinecittà Studios in ...

'' (1952) * '' Final Pardon'' (1952) * '' Delitto al luna park'' (1952) * ''Legione straniera'' (1953) – Djalmar * ''

Frine, Courtesan of Orient ''Frine, Courtesan of Orient'' ( it, Frine, cortigiana d'Oriente) is a 1953 Italian epic adventure film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Elena Kleus and Pierre Cressoy. Sergio Leone served as assistant director. Plot Cast * Elena Kleus ...

'' (1953) – Nabus, lo schiavo muto * ''Canto per te'' (1953) – Angenore * ''Terra straniera'' (1954) * ''Non vogliamo morire'' (1954) – John – il timoniere * ''

Quay of Blondes ''Quay of Blondes'' (French: ''Quai des blondes'') is a 1954 French crime film directed by Paul Cadéac and starring Michel Auclair, Barbara Laage and Madeleine Lebeau.Kermabon p.461 It was produced and distributed by Pathé and shot in Gevacol ...

'' (1954) – Michel * ''Desiderio 'e sole'' (1954) – Domestico di Sirovich * ''

La peccatrice dell'isola ''La Peccatrice dell'isola'' (''The Island's Sinner'') is a 1952 Italian melodrama film. Cast * Silvana Pampanini: Carla * Folco Lulli: Don Pietro Ingarsia * Vittorio Duse: Ispettore De Santis * John Kitzmiller: Pescatore * Maria Grazia Fr ...

'' (1954) – Il Pescatore negro * ''Il grande addio'' (1954) * ''Acque amare'' (1954) – Mezzanotte * ''

Tears of Love ''Tears of Love'' (Italian: ''Lacrime d'amore'') is a 1954 Italian Musical film, musical melodrama film directed by Pino Mercanti and starring Achille Togliani, Katina Ranieri and Otello Toso.Chiti & Poppi p.201 Cast * Achille Togliani as Mario B ...

'' (1954) * ''Il nostro campione'' (1955) – Raimondo * '' Valley of Peace'' (1956) – Sgt. Jim * ''

The Mysteries of Paris ''The Mysteries of Paris'' (french: Les Mystères de Paris) is a novel by the French writer Eugène Sue. It was published serially in 90 parts in ''Journal des débats'' from 19 June 1842 until 15 October 1843, making it one of the first seria ...

'' (1957) – Lo Squartatore * ''A vent'anni è sempre festa'' (1957) – John Miller * '' The Naked Earth'' (1958) – David * ''

Slave Women of Corinth Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave—someone forbidden to quit one's service for an enslaver, and who is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perf ...

'' (1958) – Tomoro * ''Vite perdute'' (1959) – Luca * ''Pensione Edelweiss'' (1959) – Bougron * ''Due selvaggi a corte'' (1959) – Kato * '' Seven in the Sun'' (1960) – Salvador * ''

Pirates of the Coast ''Pirates of the Coast'' ( it, I pirati della costa, also known as ''Pirates of the Barbary Coast'') is a 1960 Italian adventure film directed by Domenico Paolella. Cast *Lex Barker as Luis Monterey * Estella Blain as Isabella *Livio Lorenzo ...

'' (1960) – Rock * '' Revolt of the Mercenaries'' (1961) – Tago * ''

Totòtruffa 62 ''Totòtruffa '62'' (also known as ''Totó Vigarista'') is a 1961 Italian comedy film directed by Camillo Mastrocinque. Plot summary Antonio is a poor man who has to support his daughter and especially he should pay her stay at a prestigious bo ...

'' (1961) – Ambasciatore del Katonga * ''La corona di fuoco'' (1961) – Akim * '' Venus Against the Son of Hercules'' (1962) – Afros * ''Il sangue e la sfida'' (1962) * ''El hijo del capitán Blood'' (1962) – Moses * '' Dr. No'' (1962) – Quarrel * ''

Tiger of the Seven Seas ''La tigre dei sette mari'', internationally released as ''Tiger of the Seven Seas'', is a 1962 Italian adventure film directed by Luigi Capuano. It was a sequel to ''Queen of the Pirates''. Plot Consuelo is the daughter of the famous pirate ...

'' (1962) – Serpente * ''

Cave of the Living Dead ''Cave of the Living Dead'' (german: Der Fluch der grünen Augen) is a 1964 German / Yugoslav horror film directed by Ákos Ráthonyi. Plot The local police in a sleepy mountain village in the Balkans are left at a loss after seven murders of w ...

'' (1964) – John – Black Servant * ''Indios a Nord-Ovest'' (1964) * ''Il ribelle di Castelmonte'' (1964) – Ali * ''

Uncle Tom's Cabin ''Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly'' is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in two volumes in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the U. ...

'' (1965) – Uncle Tom (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Kitzmuller, John 1913 births 1965 deaths African-American United States Army personnel Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor winners Deaths from liver disease American male film actors People from Battle Creek, Michigan Male actors from Michigan Military personnel from Michigan United States Army personnel of World War II African-American male actors 20th-century American male actors American expatriates in Italy University of Michigan alumni United States Army officers United States Army Corps of Engineers personnel 20th-century African-American people