Who Are Those Guys? ~ Franco Fantasia

 

Franco Fantasia was born in Rhodes, Italy on March 5, 1924. He was the younger brother of producer, production manager, master of arms, fencing master, stuntman, actor Andrea Fantasia [192?-1985].

Franco was an Italian film actor, stuntman and fencing master. He appeared in more than one hundred and fifty films and television appearances from 1951 to 2002. Later in his career he became a master of arms and an assistant director. Notable titles include "Zombi 2" (1979), directed by Lucio Fulci, and "Mangiati vivi!" (Eaten Alive!) (1980), directed by Umberto Lenzi. Fantasia also appeared in 22 Euro-westerns, from "Three Swords of Zorro" (1963) to "Buck at the Edge of Heaven" (1991). He is perhaps best recognized for his role as Ocaño in "Adios, Sabata" (1970), starring Yul Brynner and Dean Reed.

Fantasia played a major role in the Spaghetti western genre both in front of and behind the cameras. He always gave a dependable performance no matter how large or small the role and always acted with dignity and grace and was a true professional.

On September 29, 2002, Fantasia announced he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Fantasia died of a heart attack on November 10, 2002, at Rome, Italy at the age of 78.

FANTASIA, Franco (aka Frank Fantasia, Franz Fantasia, Frank Farell, Frank Farrel, Frank Farrell, Frank Fontana) (Francesco Fantasia) [3/5/1924, Rhodes, Italy – 11/10/2002, Rome, Lazio, Italy (heart attack)] – production manager, assistant director, sword master, stuntman, master of arms, film, TV actor, brother of producer, production manager, master of arms, fencing master, stuntman, actor Andrea Fantasia [192?-1985], married to ? father of Raffaella Fantasia [1963-    ].

Three Swords of Zorro – 1963 (Colonel Juan Ortiz/Martinez)

Buffalo Bill, Hero of the Far West – 1964 (George) [as Frank Farrell] [stunts]

Blood for a Silver Dollar – 1965 (Sheriff George Anderson) [as Frank Farrel]

Rebels in Canada – 1965 (Leo Limoux/Limus)

Blood at Sundown – 1966 (sheriff) [as Frank Farrell] [stunts]

Seven Dollars to Kill – 1966 (Sheriff of Wishville) [as Frank Farrell]

Blood Calls to Blood – 1968 (Captain Roy) [as Frank Farrel] [stunts]

Hate Thy Neighbor – 1968 (sheriff) [stunts]

The Long Day of the Massacre – 1968 (Clay)

A Long Ride from Hell – 1968 (Castleman)

The Nephews of Zorro – 1968 (Don Diego de La Vega/Zorro)

The Wrath of God – 1968 (Mark)

Adiós, Sabata – 1970 (Señor Ocaño) [stunts]

Fistful of Lead – 1970

The Ballad of Ben and Charlie – 1971 (Sheriff Robbins) [stunts]

Return of Sabata – 1971 (circus owner/judge)

The Grand Duel – 1972 (bounty killer) [stunts]

They Call Me Providence - 1972

Carambola – 1973 (Professor Max Lager)

The Son of Zorro – 1973 (Captain François Bardeau)

California – 1977 (Army recruiting officer)

Buck at the Edge of Heaven – 1991 (André Savall) [as Frank Farrell]