Gian Maria Volonté

Gian Maria Volonté (9 April 1933 – 6 December 1994) was a celebrated Italian actor and activist. He gained fame for his roles in four Spaghetti Western films, including Ramón Rojo in 'A Fistful of Dollars', El Indio in 'For a Few Dollars More', and Professor Brad Fletcher in 'Face to Face'. Additionally, he starred in notable social dramas depicting the political and social landscape of Italy and Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, such as 'We Still Kill the Old Way', 'Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion', 'The Working Class Goes to Heaven', and 'Todo modo'. He received recognition for his performances in films like 'Le Cercle Rouge', 'Sacco & Vanzetti', 'Giordano Bruno', and 'Christ Stopped at Eboli'.

Renowned director Francisco Rosi said that Volonté 'stole the soul of his characters'. Despite achieving global fame, he remained dedicated to roles with a political message, considering films like 'A Fistful of Dollars' and 'For a Few Dollars More' as a means to an end. He won numerous awards, such as two David di Donatello Awards, three Nastro d'Argento Awards, the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival for 'The Death of Mario Ricci', and the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for 'The Moro Affair'. In his later years, he starred in 'The Abyss' as a physician-alchemist and was named Best European Actor for 'Porte aperte'. He passed away from a heart attack at the age of 61 during the filming of 'Ulysses' Gaze'.