Adolfo Celi


Actor
Adolfo Celi

About

Birth Place
Italy
Born
July 27, 1922
Died
February 19, 1986
Cause of Death
Complications Resulting From Heart Attack

Biography

Actor and director Adolfo Celi made his film debut in 1946's "Un americano in vacanza." In 1950, Celi co-wrote and co-directed the drama "Caiçara," in which he also starred. He would go on to produce and direct the biographical drama "Tico-Tico no Fubá" in 1952, and write and direct the comedy "Alibi" in 1969. All three were produced in South America, where Celi was a noted stage perform...

Biography

Actor and director Adolfo Celi made his film debut in 1946's "Un americano in vacanza." In 1950, Celi co-wrote and co-directed the drama "Caiçara," in which he also starred. He would go on to produce and direct the biographical drama "Tico-Tico no Fubá" in 1952, and write and direct the comedy "Alibi" in 1969. All three were produced in South America, where Celi was a noted stage performer. He was fluent in several languages, allowing him to work all over the world. Celi went on to appear in more than 100 film and television roles. However, in the United States, Celi is most often recognized for his role as the Bond villain Emilio Largo from 1965's "Thunderball." Celi was fluent in English, but his dialogue was overdubbed for the film because of his thick Sicilian accent. This was often the case for his English-speaking roles. In 1981's BBC serial "The Borgias," Celi was not overdubbed and was harshly criticized for his inscrutable diction. Celi's final screen performance was on the Italian television program "Due assi per un turbo." He died from a heart attack at age 63.

Filmography

 

Cast (Feature Film)

Amici Miei Atto III (1986)
Amici miei atto II (1983)
Monsignor (1982)
Cenerentola '80 (1980)
Prince Gherardeschi
Cafe Express (1980)
La Soldatessa Alle Grandi Manovre (1978)
Les Passagers (1977)
Inspector Bietani
Le Grand Escogriffe (1977)
The Next Man (1976)
Uomini si nasce poliziotti si muore (1976)
Captain
Signore e Signori, Buonanotte (1976)
La Moglie di mio padre (1976)
Antonio
Ten Little Indians (1975)
Amici Miei (1975)
Sassaroli
Libera, Amore Mio (1974)
Felice Valente
The Phantom of Liberty (1974)
La Villeggiatura (1973)
Police Commissioner
Le Metaf (1973)
Lawyer
Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973)
General Krebs
Il Sorriso del Grande Tentatore (1973)
Father Borelli
The Italian Connection (1972)
Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)
Consul
Fragment of Fear (1971)
Signor Bardoni
Murders in the Rue Morgue (1971)
Inspector Vidocq
Ragazza Tutta Nuda Assassinata nel Parco (1971)
Chi l'ha Vista Morire? (1971)
Hanno Cambiate Faccia (1971)
Boss
The Head of the Family (1970)
Detective Belli (1970)
Fontana
In Search of Gregory (1970)
Max
Midas Run (1969)
Aldo Ferranti
Dirty Heroes (1969)
Rolmann
And There Came a Man (1968)
Monsignor Radini-Tedeschi
Danger: Diabolik (1968)
Ralph Valmont
Grand Slam (1968)
Mark Milford
The Honey Pot (1967)
Inspector Rizzi
King of Hearts (1967)
Col. Alexander MacBibenbrook
The Bobo (1967)
Francisco Carbonell
Operation Kid Brother (1967)
Thair Beta
Male Companion (1966)
Benvenuto
Grand Prix (1966)
Agostini Manetta
El Greco (1966)
Don Miguel de las Cuevas
Von Ryan's Express (1965)
Battaglia
The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
Giovanni de' Medici
Thunderball (1965)
Emilio Largo
That Man From Rio (1964)
Señor De Castro

Life Events

1948

Feature film debut, "Natale al Campo"

1964

First worked with director Philippe DeBroca, "L'Homme de Rio"

1965

Appeared in Carol Reed's, "The Agony and the Ecstasy"

1969

Screenwriting and co-directorial debut, "L'Alibi"

1985

TV debut, the A&E series, "The Borgias"

1986

Final feature, "Amici Miei Atto III"

Videos

Movie Clip

Trailer

Bibliography