Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Who Are Those Guys? ~ Antonio DiMitri

 

Antonio Costanzo Dimitri was born on June 12,1931, in Manduria, Taranto, Italy. He was a theater, film, television actor and singer. Antonio moved from his hometown when he was still a boy. After living in Turin for some years he decided to move to Rome, to attend the prestigious Accademia Nazionale di Arte Drammatica Silvio D'Amico. He debuted at the Greek Theater of Syracus in "Hippolytus", directed by Orazio Costa. Shortly after he took part in several theatrical tours with Enrico Maria Salerno.

In 1953 Dimitri made his film debut in “Le marchand de Venise” (The Merchant of Venice) directed by Pierre Billon and Senso by Luchino Visconti. Those were the years of the "Dolce Vita", where he had several relationships with well-known actresses such as Silvana Pampanini and Lea Massari.

In 1965 he started his singing career, releasing three singles under CGD: L'hanno ucciso a Roma, Hanno rapito il presidente and Un velo bianco. In the same years he was also co-protagonist, alongside Amedeo Nazzari, of Hanno rapito il presidente by Dino Verde.

In the early 1970s he had profound spiritual awakening and decided to go back to his roots, studying and performing the traditional music of his region, the Salento. He released two folk albums I canti del prato verde (1972, as Antonio Di Mitri) and Taratatani (1974, as Antonio Dimitri).

In 1974 he played Yanez in the TV show “Le tigri di Mompracem” (The Tigers of Mompracen, alongside Gigi Proietti and directed by Ugo Gregoretti.

Antonio died on December 8, 2019, at the age of 88.

During his Spaghetti western career he was often billed as Tony DiMitri or Antonio Dimitri but was more popular using the name George Stevenson. He appeared in seven westerns from 1964 to 1972. His biggest role was when he starred as Quintan/ José De Loma in 1969’s “Quintana: Dead or Alive”.


DiMITRI, Antonio (aka Tonj DiMitri, Toni Dimitri, Tony Dimitri, George Stevenson) (Antonio Costanzo Dimitri) [6/12/1931, Manduria, Taranto, Italy – 12/8/2019, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – theater, film, TV actor, singer, married to Maria Teresa Gelli [19??-2019] (19??-2019).

Two Mafiamen in the Wild West – 1964 (Jesse James) [as Tony DiMitri]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - 1966 (Mesilla deputy) [as George Stevenson]

God May Forgive You, Not Me – 1966 (Manuel Hernandez) [as George Stevenson]

Quintana: Dead or Alive - 1969 (Quintana/José De Loma) [as George Stevenson]

The Judgment of God – 1972 (Ringo) [as Antonio Dimitri]
Six Bounty Killers for a Massacre - 1972 (Rinaldo/Lord) [as Tony Dimitri]

When the Devil Grips a Colt – 1972 (Jack Moore) [as Tony Dimitri]

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