RIP Roberto Risso

Actor Roberto Risso died today November 16, 2010 in Milan, Italy six days short of his 85th birthday. Born Pietro Roberto Strub on November 22, 1925 in Geneva, Switzerland, he studied architecture before turning to acting. He made his film debut in 1950's “Il leone di Amalfi” directed by Pietro Francisci which led to his appearance in “Domani e un altro giorno” directed by Leonide Moguy in 1951 where he played the seducer of Anna Maria Pierangeli. This led to a number of roles as boyfriends and other light weight sentimental roles.

He would gain fame in “Pane, amore e fantasi” (1953) and “Pane, amore e gelisia” (1954) both directed by Luigi Comencini playing a policeman in love with Gina Lollobrigida. His career peaked with his appearance in “Una pelliccia di visione” (1956) directed by Glauco Pellegrini. He also appeared with Gordon Scott in “Zorro and the 3 Musketeers” (1963), but his stereotypical roles convinced him to leave films and he turned to television where he appeared on the RAI TV show “Quelli della domenica” hosted by Paolo Villaggio. He then became a fashion designer and appeared in several soap operas. His last film was his only Euro-western appearing as Duke in “Hate Thy Neighbor” (1968) under the pseudonym Robert Rice.