Who Are Those Guys? ~ Attilio Dottesio

 

Attilio Dottesio was born in Desenzano del Garda, Lombardy, Italy on July 16, 1909. Dottesio began his career in France, where he obtained some success as a pop singer and later debuted as an actor in the film “Les Perles de la couronne” (The Pearls of the Crown) in 1937 directed by Sacha Guitry. Back in Italy, he attended the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome and graduated in 1942. He then began an intense career as a character actor. His first Italian film was “La peccatrice” by Amleto Palermi in 1940). Dottesio continued working steadily in small character roles, uncredited bit parts and occasional larger roles for the next 40 years. During the 1970's he appeared in "straight" roles (and occasionally "hot" roles) in many cult exploitation movies, meaning his face is probably better known today than many of his contemporaries.

In 1955, he had his only experience as a director, with the documentary film “Amazzonia terra sconosciuta”.

Attilio appeared in over 225 films and television series from 1940 to 1985. Among those were some 40 Spaghetti westerns from 1963 to 1975. He was sometimes credited as Dean Reese and William Burke.

Attilio Dottestio died in Rome on February 12, 1989 at the age of 79.

DOTTESIO, Attilio (aka William Burke, Arthur Dean, Atillio Dotte, Attilio D'Ottesio, Attilio D'ottesio, Attilio Diottesio, Attilio Dottavio, Aldo Dottesio, Dean Reese, Dan Reesy) [7/16/1909, Desenzano del Garda, Lombardy, Italy – 2/12/1989, Rome, Lazio, Italy] – stage, film, TV actor, singer.

Samson and the Slave Queen – 1963 (General Saveria/Savedra)

Gold Train – 1965 (Sheriff Webb) [as William Burke]

Kill Johnny Ringo – 1965 (Doc) [as William Burke]

The Big Gundown – 1966 – (Mexican officer)

The Cold Killer – 1966 (attorney)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – 1966 (Mexican)

Run, Man, Run – 1967 (Manuel Etchevaria)

This Man Can’t Die – 1967 (Doc Martin)

Black Jack – 1968 (Moreno)

Gun Shy Piluk – 1968 (Judge Everett)

Amen – 1969 (Sheriff Bob)

El Puro – 1969 (sheriff)

Brother Outlaw – 1970 (prison warden) [as Atillio Dotte]

Dead Men Don’t Make Shadows – 1970 (Sanchez) [as Dean Reese]

Django and Sartana are Coming… It’s the End – 1970 (miner) [as Dean Reese]

Durango is Coming, Pay or Die – 1970 (Peter)

Have a Nice Funeral My Friend – 1970 (Joe Benson)

The Long Ride of Revenge – 1970 (Jones)

One Damned Day at Dawn… Django Meets Sartana! – 1970 (Bi1ll/Willy McLaren) [as

     Dan Reesy]

Shango – 1970 (Fernandez) [as Attilio D’Ottesio]

The Twilight Avengers – 1970 (Sheriff Ferguson)

Django… Adios! – 1971 (barman)

The Last Traitor – 1971 (general)

Paid in Blood – 1971 (sheriff)

Return of Sabata – 1971 (organist)

Showdown for a Badman – 1971 (Charles Benson) [as Dean Reese]

Tara Poki – 1971 (priest)

A Bounty Killer for Trinity – 1972 (John)

God is My Colt .45 – 1972 (Sheriff Bill Harris)

The Judgment of God – 1972 (Tim Robson/Bronson/Donny)

Kung Fu Brothers in the Wild West – 1972 (George)

The Return of Hallelujah – 1972 (bartender)

7 Devils on Horseback – 1972 (banker)

Six Bounty Killers for a Massacre – 1972 (Cemetery)

When the Devil Grips a Colt – 1972 (Jeremy Scott)

Bad Kids of the West (1973) (Noah Mackenzie)

Blood River – 1973 (Smith)

The Judgment of God – 1973 (Tim Bronson)

The Return of Shanghai Joe – 1974 (Mexican elder)

White Fang to the Rescue – 1974 (stagecoach driver)

The Tiger from the River Kwai – 1975 (Mason henchman)