
He often portrayed cynical if not wicked characters in such films as “La città dolente”, directed by Mario Bonnard, where he played the role of a vindictive and unscrupulous spy. These features remained for most of his career, and only at the end of his career he managed to break free from the uncomfortable cliche, by acting in so-called art films. He worked with such directors as Roberto Rossellini, Alberto Bevilacqua, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Pietro Germi.
It seems like more, but Rizzo appeared in only six Euro-westerns from “Face to Face” (1967) to “Return of Sabata”. He’s probably best remembered for his appearances in all three Sabata films directed by Gianfranco Parolini.
Gianni died in Rome, Italy on February 4, 1992. He was 68 years-old.
Today we remember Gianni Rizzo on what would have been his 90th birthday
Cause of death for Rizzo?
ReplyDeleteUnknown. I've never found a published obituary for him.
ReplyDeleteI did find a partial obit from the Spanish El Pais that said he died after a long illness that kept him away from the film industry.
ReplyDelete