Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Stefano Capriati

[These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Stefano Capriati was born in Brindisi, Apulia, Italy. He was a boxer and professional soccer player whose career ended early due to a knee injury. After his athletic career ended he moved into films as a stuntman and assistant director. He worked on six films, five of which were Euro-westerns. As a stuntman he appeared in “100 Rifles” in 1969. As an actor he appeared in “Ancora dollari per i McGregor” (Another Dollar for the McGregors) in 1970 and as the judge in 1971’s “Whity”. He worked as an assistant director with the second unit on “Doc” in 1971 and “Chato’s Land” in 1972.

While working on “Chato’s Land” in Spain he met a stewardess named Denise R. Deamics who was in Madrid on a layover. They married two years later. They had a daughter named Jennifer Maria Capriati who Stefano coached to the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Top 10 when she was just 14 years old and helped her win a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Jennifer also won the Australian Open in 2001 and 2002 and the French Open in 2001, becoming the No. 1-ranked player in the world later that year. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012.

During Jennifer’s career Stefano was often criticized for his strict disciplinary efforts and later he admitted to pushing her to hard and failing to allow her a normal teenage life.

Capriati died of cancer in Tampa, Florida on April 18, 2015 at the age of 80.

CAPRIATI, Stefano [3/27/1935, Brindisi, Apulia, Italy – 4/18/2015, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A. (cancer)] – assistant director, stuntman, film actor, married to flight attendant Denise R. Deamicis [1950-    ] (1974-1995) father of professional tennis player Jennifer Maria Capriati [1976-    ], lawyer Steven Alfred Capriati [1979-    ].

100 Rifles – 1969 [stunts]

Another Dollar for the McGregors – 1970

Doc – 1971 [assistant director]

Whity – 1971 (judge)

Chato’s Land – 1972 [assistant director]