Happy 80th Birthday Mario Adorf

Mario Adorf was born on September 8, 1930 in Zurich, Switzerland. His father was a surgeon from Italy and his mother a nurse from Germany. Mario studied drama at the Otto Falkenberg School in Munich. He first appeared on film as a German soldier in “08/15” (1945). He won The German Film Award for best new actor in Robert Siodmak's “Nachts, wenn der Teufel kam” (1957). He became an International star with appearances in such films as “Major Dundee”, “Ten Little Indians” both in 1965, “The Red Tent” (1969) and “The Tin Drum” (1978). He turned down a role in “The Godfather” and as General Mapache in Sam Peckinpah's “The Wild Bunch” which he deeply regrets. During his earlier film career he appeared in a number of German western productions usually as the villain. Such Euro-westerns as “Apache Gold” and the “Last Ride to Santa Cruz” both in 1963, “Sunscorched” (1965), “And for a Roof a Sky Full of Stars” (1968) and probably best remembered with his role as 'El Diablo' in “Le Specialist” (aka “Drop Them or I'll Shoot”). Adorf also sings and is the author of five books. Still going strong his latest picture is “Grapes of Hope” (2010). Today we celebrate Mario Adorf's 80th birthday.