Renowned Italian actor Franco Nero, who celebrated his 83nd birthday today, expressed his desire to continue working despite having achieved a vast array of roles throughout his illustrious career.
Nero humorously remarked to ANSA during the Filming Italy – Los Angeles festival, where he was honored with a career achievement award, “I still want to work a lot, even though I’ve already played all the roles I wanted to — all that was lacking were an orchestra conductor and the Pope, but I got to do them too in the last few years.”
Iconic Roles and Hollywood Beginnings
Nero’s acting journey began with his breakout role as Abel in John Huston’s “The Bible: In the Beginning” and as the iconic Western hero in Sergio Corbucci’s “Django,” both in 1966. This latter role would later inspire Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.”
Reflecting on his initial experiences in Hollywood, Nero recalled, “The first time I came to Hollywood was 1966. It was beautiful. Every night partying with Paul Newman, James Stewart, or colleagues of that calibre… ‘Django’ had just come out in Italy and they called me to film ‘Camelot’.”
The love of his life
The film “Camelot” holds a special place in Nero’s heart, not just as John F. Kennedy’s favorite film, but as the set where he met Vanessa Redgrave. The couple started a long relationship in 1967 and have a son, Carlo, who is now also an actor.
Future Projects and Reflections on Django
Despite the success and the enduring legacy of “Django,” Nero mentioned he is unlikely to accept a much-requested sequel to the film, citing, “I don’t feel like getting back on a horse 60 years later, but we’ll see.”
Looking ahead, Nero is excited about his next project “Black Beans and Rice,” directed by Robert Port, known for the acclaimed “1944 – The Battle of Cassino.”
Nero’s impact on the genre of Spaghetti Westerns is celebrated by fans and filmmakers alike, evidenced by Tarantino’s inclusion of Nero in a cameo role in the 2012 film “Django Unchained,” which starred Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz.
Additionally, Italian director Francesca Comencini cast him in her Sky serial “Django” last year, further cementing his iconic status within the genre.
