Franco Nero
Francesco Clemente Giuseppe Sparanero (born November 23, 1941), known professionally as Franco Nero, is an Italian actor, producer, and director. His breakthrough role was as the title character in the Spaghetti Western film Django (1966), which made him a pop culture icon and launched an international career that includes over 200 leading and supporting roles in a wide variety of films and television programmes. During the 1960s and 1970s, Nero was actively involved in many popular Italian "genre trends", including poliziotteschi, gialli, and Spaghetti Westerns. His best-known films include The Bible: In the Beginning... (1966), Camelot (1967), The Day of the Owl (1968), The Mercenary (1968), Battle of Neretva (1969), Tristana (1970), Compañeros (1970), Confessions of a Police Captain (1971), The Fifth Cord (1971), High Crime (1973), Street Law (1974), Keoma (1976), Hitch-Hike (1977), Force 10 from Navarone (1978), Enter the Ninja (1981), Die Hard 2 (1990), Letters to Juliet (2010), Cars 2 (2011), and John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017). Nero has had a long relationship with Vanessa Redgrave, which began during the filming of Camelot. They were married in 2006, and are the parents of the actor Carlo Gabriel Nero.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · The Run as Hunter
- 2025 · In the Hand of Dante as Don Lecco
- 2023 · Silent Life: The Story of the Lady in Black as Valentino's Spirit
- 2023 · The Pope's Exorcist as The Pope
- 2023 · The Man Who Drew God as Emanuele
- 2021 · Marina Cicogna - La vita e tutto il resto as Self
- 2020 · Harmonie as
- 2020 · Immortalist as Paolo Spersoni
- 2019 · Christmas in Rome as Luigi Forlinghetti
- 2019 · Ed è subito sera as
- 2017 · Il crimine non va in pensione as il primario
- 2017 · The Lost City of Z as Baron de Gondoriz
- 2017 · The Time of Their Lives as Alberto
- 2017 · John Wick: Chapter 2 as Julius
- 2016 · Delicious as Joe Benelli
- 2016 · Emigratis as Self
- 2014 · Red Chairs - Parma and the Cinema as Self
- 2013 · Memories They Told Me as Paolo
- 2013 · The Outsider: The Cinema of Antonio Margheriti as Self
- 2012 · Django Unchained as Amerigo Vessepi
- 2012 · Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s as Self
- 2011 · Cars 2 as Uncle Topolino (voice)
- 2010 · Rasputin as Narratore
- 2010 · Letters to Juliet as Lorenzo
- 2006 · Denn sie kennen kein Erbarmen - Der Italowestern as Self
- 2006 · Hans as Giudice/barbone
- 2005 · Summer Solstice as Lorenzo
- 2005 · Vasco Rossi - È solo un rock'n'roll show as Judge
- 2002 · Through the Night with... as Self
- 2001 · Ulisse - The pleasure of discovery as Self
- 2000 · Uninvited as Ralph Barolo
- 2000 · Mirka as Il Sindaco
- 1999 · Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Roberto Distasio
- 1997 · Rack Up as Jesus Barro
- 1997 · David as Natan
- 1997 · Desert of Fire as Marcel Duvivier
- 1995 · Viva el lunes as Self
- 1994 · The Dragon Ring as Dragon King
- 1993 · Azzurro profondo as Luca Morinari
- 1990 · Die Hard 2 as General Ramon Esperanza
- 1988 · Magdalene as Janza
- 1983 · The Hitchhiker as Dr. Peter Milne
- 1983 · The Falcon as Banović Strahinja
- 1982 · Red Bells Part II: I Saw the Birth of a New World as John Reed
- 1982 · Na sowas! as Self
- 1980 · The Man with Bogart's Face as Hakim
- 1980 · Day of the Cobra as Larry Stanziani
- 1980 · The Blue-Eyed Bandit as Renzo Dominici
- 1979 · The Visitor as Jesus Christ
- 1976 · Keoma as Keoma
- 1974 · Challenge to White Fang as Jason Scott
- 1974 · Der große Preis as Self
- 1973 · White Fang as Jason Scott
- 1972 · Pope Joan as Louis
- 1971 · Don't Turn the Other Cheek as Prince Dimitri Vassilovich Vladek Orlowsky
- 1970 · The Virgin and the Gypsy as The gypsy
- 1969 · The Battle of Neretva as Capitano Michele Rossi
- 1969 · Detective Belli as Commissario Stefano Belli
- 1968 · The Mercenary as Sergei Kowalski, The Polish
- 1968 · A Quiet Place in the Country as Leonardo Ferri
- 1968 · The Day of the Owl as Captain Bellodi
- 1966 · Massacre Time as Tom Corbett
- 1966 · Django as Django
- 1966 · The Hired Killer as Tony Lo Bello
- 1962 · Scorched Skin as
- Future · La battaglia di Gorthene as
- 2025 · The Estate as
- 2024 · Titanus 1904 as Self
- 2024 · The Jester from Transylvania as One-eye
- 2022 · Buon Lavoro as
- 2021 · The Duel as
- 2021 · Off the Rails as Giovanni
- 2021 · The Match as Old Branko
- 2020 · The Dark Dance as L'Impresario
- 2019 · A Rose in Winter as Rainer Praeger
- 2018 · Red Land as Professor Ambrosin
- 2017 · Iceman as Ditob
- 2017 · The Neighborhood as Guglielmo
- 2016 · Road to Ruin as Self
- 2015 · Road to Capri as Guido
- 2014 · Obsessive Rhythms as Carmine
- 2013 · I Tarantiniani as Self
- 2012 · Crazy Dog as Alvaro Genta
- 2010 · Augustine: The Decline of the Roman Empire as Augustine of Hippo
- 2008 · Il sangue e la rosa as Conte Uberto Mancini
- 2005 · Elio Petri: Notes About a Filmmaker as Self
- 2005 · The Spaghetti West as Self
- 2005 · Rosamunde Pilcher - Magic of Love as
- 2002 · Ultimo stadio as Antonio
- 2002 · Liebe, Lügen, Leidenschaften as Fashion Billionaire
- 2001 · The Crusaders as Ibnazul
- 2001 · Megiddo: The Omega Code 2 as General Francini
- 2001 · La voce del sangue as Antonio Castaldi
- 2001 · Sacra Corona as Bishop Gellért
- 1998 · Talk of Angels as Dr. Vicente Areavaga
- 1998 · Il tesoro di Damasco as Andrea
- 1997 · Bella Mafia as Mario Domino
- 1997 · Desert of Fire as Marcel Duvivier
- 1997 · Davide as Nathan
- 1995 · Jonathan of the Bears as Jonathan
- 1995 · Desideria e l'anello del drago as Dragon King
- 1993 · Der Fall Lucona as Enzo Lombardi
- 1992 · Gold as Gabriele da Poppi
- 1990 · Breath of Life as Angelo
- 1989 · Blaues Blut as Sandro Castellani
- 1988 · Top Line as Ted Angelo
- 1988 · Run for Your Life as Commissario
- 1987 · Django Strikes Again as Django
- 1987 · The Girl as Johan (John) Berg
- 1985 · The Repenter as Falco
- 1982 · Red Bells as John Reed
- 1982 · Red Bells Part I: Mexico on Fire as John Reed
- 1978 · The Pirate as Baydr Al Fay
- 1975 · Death Rite as Sadry
- 1975 · How to Kill a Judge as Giacomo Solaris
- 1974 · The Last Four Days as Walter Audisio
- 1974 · Blood Brothers as Nicola Bellizzi
- 1973 · The Assassination of Matteotti as Giacomo Matteotti
- 1973 · Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears as Johnny Ears
- 1973 · Redneck as Mosquito
- 1972 · The Monk as Ambrosio
- 1971 · The Case Is Closed, Forget It as Vanzi
- 1971 · Vacation as Osiride
- 1970 · Dropout as Bruno
- 1967 · Man, Pride and Vengeance as José
- 1966 · Texas, Adios as Burt Sullivan
- Future · Roma elastica as
- 2023 · On Our Way as
- 2017 · Agony as Carlo
- 2015 · Sergio Corbucci: The Smiling Man as Himself
- 2014 · Figli di Maam as
- 2014 · Django, Sartana, Trinita' et les autres… as Lui-même
- 2013 · Handy as Frank The Black
- 2012 · New Order as Dr. Cornelius Van Morgen
- 2008 · Mein Herz in Chile as Carlos Sanchez
- 2006 · The Holy Family as Zachary
- 2006 · Amore e libertà - Masaniello as Vicerè
- 2004 · Guardians of the Clouds as Padre
- 2003 · Bad Inclination as Il barbone
- 2002 · The Last Gunfighter as The pistolero
- 2002 · Fumata blanca as Cardenal Tura
- 2001 · In the Company of Compañeros as Self
- 2000 · Winds of Passion as Michele Giangrande
- 1999 · Li chiamarono... briganti! as Caporale Nerza
- 1998 · The Versace Murder as Gianni Versace
- 1995 · Io e il re as Maggiore Ferri
- 1992 · Brothers and Sisters as Franco
- 1992 · From Time to Time as Leonard De Vinci
- 1992 · Amelia Lópes O'Neill as Fernando
- 1991 · Touch and Die as Aquani
- 1988 · Race to Danger as Francis, il marinaio
- 1987 · Sweet Country as Paul
- 1979 · The Shark Hunter as Mike di Donato
- 1977 · Sahara Cross as Jean Ballard
- 1976 · Victory March as Captain Asciutto
- 1968 · Sardinia Kidnapped as Gavino
- 1966 · War of the Planets as Lt. Jake Jacowitx
- 1966 · The Wild, Wild Planet as Lt. Jake
- 1964 · Italian Engagement as
- Future · The Temptation Of Gracie as
- 2026 · Il Vecchio Terribile as Oste
- 2024 · Compagni d'arte as
- 2023 · Giorni felici as Antonio
- 2023 · Django as Reverend
- 2022 · The Man from Rome as The Pope
- 2021 · We Are Cinema as Self (archive footage)
- 2021 · Django & Django: Sergio Corbucci Unchained as Self - Actor
- 2021 · Two Men Alone as Himself
- 2016 · Along the River as Frank De Ville
- 1996 · The Conquest as Árpád vezér
- 1993 · Das Babylon Komplott as Chris Lang
- Future · Django Lives! as Django
- 2020 · Entree Des Artists as Henry's Grandfather
- 2019 · Havana Kyrie as Vittorio Arditi De Bellis
- 2019 · Recon as Angelo
- 2019 · The Collini Case as Fabrizio Collini
- 2017 · The Broken Key as Hiram Abif
- 2015 · Earth as
- 2014 · Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films as Self - Actor
- 2014 · Love Island as Marquis Polesini
- 2014 · Killer Mermaid as Niko
- 2013 · Istintobrass as Self
- 2012 · The Last Alchemist as Felix the Alchemist
- 2011 · Father as Enrico
- 2010 · Prigioniero di un segreto as Il barbone
- 2010 · Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine as Augustinus (age 76)
- 2009 · Franco Cristaldi e il suo cinema Paradiso as
- 2009 · Killing Is My Business, Honey as Enrico Puzzo
- 2008 · Rosamunde Pilcher's Four Seasons as Max Freeman
- 2008 · Márió, a varázsló as Mario
- 2008 · A Night at the Grand Hotel as Ferran Moreno
- 2008 · Bathory: Countess of Blood as King Mathias
- 2008 · La rabbia as Mentore
- 2008 · Bastardi as Rene Iuvara
- 2008 · Mein Herz in Chile as Carlos Sanchez
- 2007 · Mineurs as Michele Acucella
- 2007 · The Final Inquiry as Caifa
- 2007 · L'inchiesta - Anno Domini XXXIII as Caifa
- 2007 · Two Families as Morandi
- 2006 · Giornata Nera as
- 2005 · Forever Blues as Luca
- 2004 · Post Coitum as Bakchus
- 2003 · Der Fürst und das Mädchen as
- 2003 · The Uncrowned Heart as Bear's Trainer
- 2002 · Die achte Todsünde: Das Toskana-Karussell as Giuseppe Mantaldo
- 2001 · La ragion pura as Marito
- 2001 · Chimera as Imprenditore
- 2001 · Franco Nero: Back in the Saddle as Self
- 2001 · The Crusaders as Ibnazul
- 2000 · Saint Paul as Gamaliel
- 2000 · Saint Paul as Gamaliel
- 1997 · Painted Lady as Robert Tassi
- 1997 · The Medal as Ing. Ferrero
- 1997 · David as Nathan
- 1996 · The Return of Sandokan as Yogi Azim
- 1996 · The Innocent Sleep as Adolfo Cavani
- 1993 · Test of Memory as Paul Herzog
- 1991 · Young Catherine as Count Vorontsov
- 1989 · I promessi sposi as fra Cristoforo
- 1989 · A Double Victory as Saverio Pallucca
- 1988 · Young Toscanini as Claudio Toscanini
- 1986 · Un altare per la madre as -
- 1985 · André schafft sie alle as Andre
- 1985 · Devil's Crude as Nick
- 1984 · Die Försterbuben as Böhme
- 1984 · The Last Days of Pompeii as Arbaces
- 1982 · Querelle as Lieutenant Seblon
- 1982 · Grog as Nicola Fanelli
- 1982 · Rainer Werner Fassbinder: Last Works as Self
- 1982 · Kamikaze '89 as Weiss
- 1981 · Le rose di Danzica as Il generale Konrad Von Den Berg
- 1981 · Enter the Ninja as Cole
- 1981 · The Salamander as Carabinieri Colonel Dante Matucci
- 1979 · Le rose di Danzica as General Konrad von Der Berg
- 1979 · Mimi as Guido
- 1978 · Force 10 from Navarone as Lescovar
- 1977 · Hitch Hike as Walter Mancini
- 1976 · 21 Hours at Munich as Issa
- 1976 · Submission as Armand
- 1975 · The Legend of Valentino as Rudolph Valentino
- 1975 · The Flower in His Mouth as Professore Michele Belcore
- 1975 · Cry, Onion! as Onion Stark
- 1975 · Smiling Maniacs as Judge Dani
- 1974 · Street Law as Carlo Antonelli
- 1973 · High Crime as Commissario Belli
- 1972 · The Harder They Come as Django (archive footage)
- 1971 · The Fifth Cord as Andrea Bild
- 1971 · Confessions of a Police Captain as Sostituto Procuratore Traini
- 1970 · Compañeros as Yodlaf Peterson
- 1970 · The Fifth Day of Peace as Bruno Grauber
- 1970 · Tristana as Horacio
- 1967 · Camelot as Lancelot Du Lac
- 1966 · The Bible: In the Beginning... as Abel
- 1966 · The Third Eye as Mino Alberti (as Frank Nero)
- 1965 · The Tramplers as Charley Garvey
- 1965 · I Knew Her Well as Italo - The garage attendant
- 1965 · La Celestina P… R… as Fabrizio
- 1963 · Un delitto as