Terence Hill

Terence Hill, born Mario Girotti on 29 March 1939, is a notable Italian actor, film director, screenwriter, and producer. He began his career at a young age, swiftly garnering international recognition due to his starring roles in action and comedy films, many alongside his longtime film partner and friend, Bud Spencer. During his peak, Hill was considered one of Italy's highest-grossing actors. His notable films include the comedic spaghetti Westerns like 'They Call Me Trinity' (1970), 'Trinity Is Still My Name' (1971), and 'My Name Is Nobody' (1973), co-starring with Henry Fonda. Aside from his film career, Hill successfully transitioned to television, most notably playing the title character in the consistently running Rai 1 series 'Don Matteo' from 2000 until 2022.

Hill was born in Venice, Italy. His mother, Hildegard Girotti, was German from Dresden, and his father, Girolamo Girotti, an Italian, was a chemist by occupation. Hill, during his childhood, lived in the small town of Lommatzsch, Saxony, and remained there until the end of World War II. The actor was first discovered at the age of 12 by Italian filmmaker Dino Risi at a swimming meet, marking the beginning of his career as a child actor. Hill is known for his acting versatility, having performed in a variety of roles ranging from gang leader to leading man in films such as 'Guaglione' (1956). In 1967, he began a successful on-screen partnership with Bud Spencer, which led to a series of popular films. Hill had a productive career, and in 2018, he directed the film 'My Name Is Thomas,' appearing in it as well. In the realm of personal life, Hill is married with two sons, one of whom tragically died in a car accident in 1990.