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 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 film director, producer and screenwriter credited as the pioneer of the Spaghetti Western genre and widely regarded as one of the most influential directors in the history of cin ...

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 ...

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

A Fistful of Dollars ''A Fistful of Dollars'' ( it, Per un pugno di dollari, lit=For a Fistful of Dollars titled on-screen as ''Fistful of Dollars'') is a 1964 Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood in his first leading role, a ...

'' (1964), ''

For a Few Dollars More ''For a Few Dollars More'' ( it, Per qualche dollaro in più) 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. German actor ...

'' (1965), and ''

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ''The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'' ( it, Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo, 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 Clee ...

'' (1966). He played the town drunk in ''

Wanted Wanted may refer to: Law enforcement * Fugitive, a person wanted by the authorities * Wanted poster, a poster put up to inform the public of one or more criminals whom authorities wish to apprehend Film * ''Wanted!'', a 1937 British comedy film ...

'' (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'' (1 ...

and

Serge Marquand Serge Marquand was a French actor and film producer (12 March 1930 – 4 September 2004). He died of advanced leukemia. He was the brother of Nadine Trintignant and Christian Marquand. Filmography *1959: '' Les Liaisons dangereuses'' ...

. In his career, Stefanelli appeared in countless other

western films Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US * Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that i ...

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 TV series '' Rawhide'', he rose to international fame with his role as the " Man with No Name" in Sergio Leone's "'' Do ...

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

Selected filmography

* '' Ulysses'' (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 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 before the war is concluded, ...

'' (1961) * ''

Romolo e Remo ''Duel of the Titans'' ( it, Romolo e Remo, lit=Romulus and Remus) 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-R ...

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

A Queen for Caesar ''A Queen for Caesar'' ( it, Una regina per Cesare, french: Cléopâtre une reine pour César) is a 1962 Italian-French historical drama film directed by Piero Pierotti and Victor Tourjansky and starring Pascale Petit, George Ardisson and Rik Bat ...

'' (1962) – Commerciante #2 (uncredited) * '' Revenge of the Musketeers'' (1963) * ''

Zorro and the Three Musketeers ''Zorro and the Three Musketeers'' ( it, Zorro e i tre moschettieri, 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. Pl ...

'' (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 Cor ...

'' (1964) – Gunman * ''

Castle of Blood ''Castle of Blood'' ( it, Danza Macabra, links=no) is a 1964 horror film directed by Antonio Margheriti and Sergio Corbucci. The film stars Barbara Steele, Arturo Dominici and Georges Rivière. The film was initially commissioned to director Serg ...

'' (1964) – William * ''

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

Revenge of The Gladiators ''Revenge of The Gladiators'' ( it, La vendetta dei gladiatori) 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 cin ...

'' (1964) – Ardenzio, gladiatore * ''

Blood for a Silver Dollar ''Blood for a Silver Dollar'' ( it, Un dollaro bucato) is a 1965 Spaghetti Western film directed by Giorgio Ferroni, written by Giorgio Stegani and Ferroni, and starring Giuliano Gemma and Ida Galli. Plot synopsis Gary O'Hara, a Confederate Li ...

'' (1965) – James * ''

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

Secret Agent Super Dragon ''Secret Agent Super Dragon'' (Italian: ''New York chiama Superdrago'') is a 1966 international co-production Eurospy film directed by Giorgio Ferroni and starring Ray Danton as the titular secret agent. Plot The plot centers on a secret agent ...

'' (1966) - Kirk * '' The Upper Hand'' (1966) * '' 100.000 dollari per Lassiter'' (1966) – Donovan, Foreman * ''Ypotron – Final Countdown'' (1966) – Il sicario Dwan * ''

For a Few Extra Dollars ''Fort Yuma Gold'' ( it, Per pochi dollari ancora, lit=For a Few Extra Dollars) is a 1966 Italian/Spanish/French international co-production Spaghetti Western film directed by Giorgio Ferroni. Plot Confederate Major Sanders (Jacques Sernas), con ...

'' (1966) – Juko * ''

The Big Gundown ''The Big Gundown'' ( it, La resa dei conti, lit=The Settling of Scores) is a 1966 Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Sollima, and starring Lee Van Cleef and Tomas Milian. Plot Possessing a reputation for bringing criminals to justice, r ...

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

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

The Hellbenders ''The Hellbenders'' ( it, I crudeli, lit=The Cruel Ones, link=no) is a 1967 Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Corbucci. Plot Colonel Jonas is a fanatical and unrepentant Confederate who led a regiment called the Hellbenders in the recentl ...

'' (1967) – Slim the Gambler * ''

'' (1967) – Billy Baker * ''Gentleman Jo... uccidi'' (1967) – Larry * '' Kill the Wicked!'' (1967) * '' Day of Anger'' (1967) – Owen White – Killer * ''

Gunman Sent by God ''Il pistolero segnato da Dio'' () is an 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 as ...

'' (1968) * ''

A Sky Full of Stars for a Roof ''A Sky Full of Stars for a Roof'' ( it, ...e per tetto un cielo di stelle) 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 mo ...

'' (1968) – Rick (uncredited) * '' Once Upon a Time in the West'' (1968) – Frank's Lieutenant (uncredited) * ''

Cemetery Without Crosses ''Cemetery Without Crosses'' (french: Une corde, un Colt..., it, Cimitero senza croci), 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 ...

'' (1969) – Ben Caine (uncredited) * ''

The Price of Power ''The Price of Power'' ( it, Il prezzo del potere) is a 1969 Spaghetti Western directed by Tonino Valerii. The film stars Giuliano Gemma as the hero Bill Willer who tries to get revenge against the killers of his father while at the same time tr ...

'' (1969) – Sheriff Jefferson * ''La notte dei serpenti'' (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 roman Romeo Ottaviani bully called ''er Tinèa''. Plot summary The story is set in Rome i ...

'' (1971) – Alfredo Di Lorenzo * ''

W Django! ''W Django!'' (also known as ''A Man Called 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 and kills one by one th ...

'' (1971) – Ibanez * '' Trinity Is Still My Name'' (1971) – Stingary Smith * ''

Duck, You Sucker! ''Duck, You Sucker!'' ( it, Giù la testa, 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 ...

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

So Sweet, So Dead ''So Sweet, So Dead'' ( it, Rivelazioni di un maniaco sessuale al capo della squadra mobile, 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 ...

'' (1972) – Lilly's Husband * '' A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die'' (1972) – Samuel Pickett un ex condannato * ''Le Amazzoni – Donne d'amore e di guerra'' (1973) – Erno * ''

My Name Is Nobody ''My Name Is Nobody'' ( it, Il mio nome è Nessuno) is a 1973 Italian/French/German international co-production comedy Spaghetti Western starring Terence Hill and Henry Fonda. The film was directed by Tonino Valerii and based on an idea by Serg ...

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

Violent Rome ''Violent Rome'' ( it, Roma violenta) 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 has two sequels, '' Violent Naples'' and '' A Spe ...

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

A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe ''A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe'' ( it, Un genio, due compari, un pollo) is a 1975 Spaghetti Western comedy film directed by Damiano Damiani and Sergio Leone, who directed the opening scene. Plot Joe Thanks ( Terence Hill) is a genius co ...

'' (1975) – Mortimer * ''

The Cop in Blue Jeans ''The Cop in Blue Jeans'' ( it, Squadra antiscippo, lit=Anti-theft squad) is an 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 Tom ...

'' (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 Quality, ...

'' (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'' ( it, L'uomo puma) 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 ''Mys ...

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

White Fire ''White Fire'' (also known as ''Vivre Pour Survivre'' and ''Le Diamant'') is a 1984 French- American-Italian- Turkish thriller film by Jean-Marie Pallardy. It stars Belinda Mayne, Robert Ginty, Fred Williamson, Gordon Mitchell and Jess Hahn. T ...

'' (1985) – Barbossa (uncredited) * '' Ladyhawke'' (1985) – Bishop's Guard (uncredited) * ''

Warbus ''Warbus'' (also known as ''War Bus'') is a 1985 Italian-Philippine internationally co-produced action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feat ...

'' (1986) – Debrard (uncredited) * '' The Barbarians'' (1987) – Greyshaft (uncredited) * '' Cobra Verde'' (1987) – Captain Pedro Vicente * ''Un maledetto soldato'' (1988) – Andrew Teitelman (uncredited) * ''

Phantom of Death ''Phantom of Death'' ( it, Un delitto poco comune, Literal translation, lit. 'An Uncommon Crime') is an Italian giallo directed by Ruggero Deodato and released in 1988. It starred Michael York, Donald Pleasence and Edwige Fenech. The film was r ...

'' (1988) – Man in Restroom (uncredited) * ''Transformations'' (1988) – Vapes * '' The Pit and the Pendulum'' (1991) – 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