Who Are Those Guys? ~ Irio Fantini

 

Irio Ottavio Fantini was born in Rome on May 28, 1943. He started out as an illustrator, but the acting bug was too intense to ignore, and he became a character and supporting actor in Italian films.

His first film appearance was as General Friederich Gerbordstadt in the 1969 war film “5 per l'inferno” (Five for Hell) starring Gianni Garko Klaus Kinski, Margaret Lee and Renato Izzo. The film was directed by Gianfranco Parolini who would come be known to Spaghetti western fans as Frank Kramer.

Fantoni would continue making war films, detective films, Spaghetti westerns and dramas. His career in films was quite diverse, and his roles were small, even uncredited at times. He appeared in thirty-one films between 1969 and 1973. Among which were eight Spaghetti westerns beginning by playing a henchman n “Dio perdoni la mia pistola” (God Will Forgive My Pistol) in 1972 starring Wayde Preston and Loredana Nusciak. He would also appear alongside Brad Harris in three westerns, Michael Forest, Robert Forest and Jeff Cameron.

His film career seems to come to an end after his final role in 1973’s “Il sesso della strega” (Sex of the Witch) directed by Angelo Pannacciò and starring Susanna Levi, Jessica Dublin and Sergio Ferrero. What happened to him after that is not well documented.

I can find no mention of him until his death notice appears that he died of cancer in Rome on May 22, 2009, a week before turning 66.

FANTINI, Irio (aka Eirio Fantini) (Irio Ottavio Fantini) [5/28/1943, Rome, Lazio, Italy – 5/22/2009, Rome, Lazio, Italy (cancer)] – illustrator, film actor.

God Will Forgive My Pistol - 1969 (Ross henchman)

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

Wanted Sabata – 1970 (Sam)

Django… Adios! – 1971 (Miller henchman)

Requiem for a Bounty Hunter - 1971

Death Played the Flute – 1972

God Is My Colt .45 – 1972 (Alan)

Kill the Poker Player – 1972 [as Irio Fanfoni]