Little Known Spaghetti Western actors ~ Franco De Rosa

[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.]

Franco De Rosa was born on July 16, 1944, in Viareggio, Italy. He is an Italian actor best known for his supporting roles in Italian and British films and television series during the 1960s through the 1980s.

De Rosa began his career in 1964, debuting in the British television anthology series ‘Armchair Theatre’ before making his film debut in the thriller “Return from the Ashes” (1965), directed by J. Lee Thompson, where he played a minor role alongside Ingrid Thulin and Maximilian Schell. Over the next two decades, he appeared in a variety of genres, including spaghetti Westerns such as “Yankee” (1966) and “Ringo and His Golden Pistol” (1966), as well as horror and giallo films like “The Young, the Evil and the Savage” (1968), directed by Antonio Margheriti. His work extended to British productions, including the comedy “Holiday on the Buses” (1973) and the drama “Richard's Things” (1980), often portraying characters with Italian heritage or in international settings

Though not a leading man, De Rosa contributed to over 20 film and television projects, frequently collaborating with notable European directors and showcasing versatility across action, mystery, and light entertainment formats before largely retiring from acting in the 1980s. His career reflects the cross-cultural exchanges in post-war European cinema, bridging Italian genre filmmaking with Anglo-American influences

De Rosa's final feature films were in the early 1980s, focusing on dramatic supporting roles in British cinema.

Altogether Franco appeared in thirty-four films and television appearances between 1964 and 1982.

De Rosa appeared in four Spaghetti westerns: “Johnny Oro” (Ringo and His Golden Pisto) as Juanito Perez, “Uno straniero a Paso Bravo” (A Stranger in Paso Bravo) as José, “L'Americano” (Yankee) as Angel Face all in 1966 and “Sartana nella valle degli avvoltoi” (Ballad of Death Valley) as Peter Douglas in 1970.

De ROSA, Franco (aka Franco DeRosa Francesco Derosa Franco Derosa) [7/16/1944, Viareggio, Tuscany, Italy -     ] – film, TV actor.

Ringo and His Golden Pistol - 1966 (Juanito Perez) [as Franco Derosa]

A Stranger in Paso Bravo - 1966 (José) [as Franco Derosa]

Yankee – 1966 (Angel Face)

Ballad of Death Valley – 1970 (Peter Douglas)