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