• Name: Franco Nero
  • Date of Birth: November 23, 1941
  • Place of Birth: San Prospero, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Mini-bio: Handsome, blue-eyed Italian actor Franco Nero was a film leading man from 1965. Nero starred in the popular spaghetti western Django, and later played the chop-socky leading role in Enter the Ninja (1... read more980). Never trepidatious about playing non-heroic or psychologically complex roles, Nero has been seen as the villainous Esperanza in Die Hard 2 (1990) and as the "outed" gay ship's captain in the French Querelle (1982). Nero's most famous American screen roles include Abel in John Huston's The Bible and Sir Lancelot in Joshua Logan's Camelot (1967); his romantic relationship with Camelot leading lady Vanessa Redgrave resulted in a son named Carlos. On American television, Nero essayed the leading role in The Legend of Valentino (1975). More recently, Franco Nero both wrote and starred in the 1994 theatrical feature Jonathan of the Bears. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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Franco Nero mini-bio:

Franco Nero

Blue-eyed well-built Italian actor Franco Nero, once was a painting photographer, when he was discovered as an actor by director John Huston. Grew up in provincial northern Italian town in the family of a strict police sergeant, Nero got on the scene six years old. Studied economics and trade in Milan University and during that time he was appearing in popular italian photo-novels. This gave him a chance to gain a little role in Carlo Lizzani's 'La Celestina' (1964). Year later handsome face of Nero was noticed by John Huston who chose him for the role of Abel in 'La Bibbia' (1966). But success came after he got the role of lonely gunfighter, dragging a coffin in one of the best spaghetti-westerns; Sergio Corbucci's 'Django' (1966). Nero then filmed a few other westerns of that style as Ferdinando Baldi's 'Texas addio' (1966) and Lucio Fulci's 'Tempo di massacro' (1966) and furthered his career by filming in all genres of the cinema and TV. During filming Joshua Logan's 'Camelot' (1967) he met the actress Vanessa Redgrave, who become his long time partner. Played with Catherine Deneuve in Luis Bunuel's 'Tristana' (1970) and with Sergei Bondarchuk in the war drama 'Bitka na Neretvi' (1969). Later director Bondarchuk cast Nero for the role of famous American reporter John Reed in two parts 'Krasnye kolokola II' (1982). In the late 60s and during the 70s Nero played many different roles, but most of them connected with political and criminal genre, criticized Italian justice system. In the early 80s, Nero was chosen for the role of white ninja in 'Enter the Ninja' (1981) and in 1990 as terrorist Gen. Esperanza, opposite Bruce Willis in Renny Harlin's 'Die Hard 2' (1990). Being a personage from more than 25 different nationalities; from Russian to American, from Egyptian to Israeli, with 150 roles, Franco Nero now prefers to participate only in little movies in supporting roles.

VITAL STATS

Franco Nero Information: Birth Name: Francesco Sparanero
Eye color: Blue
Height: 5' 11" (1.80 m)
Nickname(s):
Notable feature(s): His eyes.
Education: Studied economics and trade in Milan University
Family:Spouse
Vanessa Redgrave 31 December 2006 - Present
  • 1 Child: Carlo Gabriel Nero
Resides in:
Religious affiliations:
Political affiliation:
Personal interests/hobbies:
Charities/Causes:
Other:
  • His favourite colour is black.
  • His luggage always includes a suitcase full with medicines.



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  • Who played the lead role in the violent western Django (1966).  Answer »
  • Who played Lancelot opposite Vanessa Redgrave in "Camelot"?  Answer »
  • "Companeros" was a 1970 Sergio Corbucci Western starring...  Answer »

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