Gian Maria Volonté was one of the most versatile and acclaimed actors in Italian cinema history. He starred in many genres, from spaghetti westerns to political dramas, and won several awards for his performances. He was also a vocal activist and supporter of left-wing causes. However, his life and career came to an abrupt end on December 6, 1994, when he suffered a fatal heart attack while filming in Greece. This article will explore his remarkable legacy and the circumstances of his death.
Early Life and Career
Volonté was born in Milan on April 9, 1933, to a fascist officer and a wealthy industrialist. He grew up in Turin and studied at the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Rome. He made his debut in 1960 in a war film and soon became a popular actor in Italian cinema. He gained international fame for his roles as Ramón Rojo in A Fistful of Dollars (1964) and El Indio in For a Few Dollars More (1965), both directed by Sergio Leone. He played ruthless and charismatic villains in these spaghetti westerns, opposite Clint Eastwood. He later appeared in two more westerns, A Bullet for the General (1966) and Face to Face (1967), where he portrayed complex and conflicted characters.
Social and Political Engagement
Volonté was not interested in commercial success or fame. He was more attracted to films that had a social and political message. He collaborated with several directors who shared his vision, such as Elio Petri, Francesco Rosi, and Giuliano Montaldo. He played a corrupt police inspector in Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970), a factory worker who joins a strike in The Working Class Goes to Heaven (1971), and an anarchist who is executed in Sacco & Vanzetti (1971). He also portrayed historical figures such as Giordano Bruno, Lucky Luciano, and Aldo Moro. He won many awards for his roles, including two David di Donatello Awards, three Nastro d’Argento Awards, and the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Volonté was also actively involved in political and social movements. He supported the student protests of 1968, the workers’ struggles of the 1970s, and the anti-fascist resistance. He was a member of the Italian Communist Party and participated in many demonstrations and campaigns. He was also a vocal critic of the Italian government, the mafia, and the US foreign policy. He donated most of his earnings to various causes and organizations. He was known for his fiery temper and his clashes with the authorities and the media.
Death and Legacy
Volonté died of a heart attack at the age of 61, while filming Ulysses’ Gaze, directed by Theo Angelopoulos. He was in Florina, Greece, when he collapsed in his hotel room. He was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late to save him. His death shocked and saddened his fans and colleagues, who paid tribute to him as a great actor and a great man. His funeral was attended by thousands of people, who applauded and cheered his coffin as it passed through the streets of Rome.
Volonté left behind a rich and diverse filmography, as well as a strong and inspiring political legacy. He is widely regarded as one of the best actors of his generation and one of the most influential figures in Italian cinema. He is remembered for his versatility, his intensity, and his commitment to his art and his ideals. He once said: “I don’t like to repeat myself. I always look for something new, something different, something that challenges me and makes me grow.” He certainly achieved that goal, and more. He was a legend, and legends never die.
