Little Known Spaghetti Western actors ~ Antonio Di Bruno

[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.]

Antonino Faà di Bruno was born in London, England on December 15, 1910. A member of the aristocratic Faà di Bruno family, Antonino Faà di Bruno was the son of Marchese Alessandro Faà di Bruno (who was the Italian consul in London at that time) and of his wife Fanny Costì. He was named after his namesake ancestor, Antonino Faà di Bruno (1762–1829), who was Bishop of Asti in the 19th century.

He took up a military career, becoming a lieutenant in the grenadiers and fighting in Italian East Africa. After his retirement in 1964, with the rank of Brigadier General, Faà di Bruno started a career as an actor, working with Carlo Lizzani “La vita agra”, Pier Paolo Pasolini “Pigsty”, Vittorio De Sica (“Lo chiameremo Andrea”, Billy Wilder (“Avanti!”, Federico Fellini “Amarcord”, Luciano Salce “Alla mia cara mamma nel giorno del suo compleanno”, Mario Monicelli “We Want the Colonels”.

Tall, with a baritone voice and an aristocratic bearing, Antonino Faà di Bruno was often cast in roles of high rank, nobleman, officers and members of the ruling class. He performed as a character actor in several commedia all'italiana films and became known for playing the role of retired Lieutenant Colnel Vittorio Emanuele Ribaud, who attempted a coup d'état in “We Want the Colonels”, and of the Duke-Count Piercarlo Semenzara in “Il secondo tragico Fantozzi”.

In 1947, he married the widow of his cousin Emilio Faà di Bruno who had died in 1943, Anna Maria Andreini. He later adopted their daughters, Camilla and Costanza.

He died at 70 on May 3, 1981, following complications from a traumatic brain injury that he suffered after being hit by a bus.

Antonio Di Bruno appeared in only one Spaghetti western, “Los amigos” (Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears) in 1972 as a senator.

Di BRUNO, Antonino (aka Antonio Faa'Di Bruno, Antonino Faa' Di Bruno, Faa Di Bruno) (Antonino Faà di Bruno) [12/15/1910, London, England, U.K. – 5/3/1981, Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy (head trauma)] – film, TV, voice actor, brother of writer, journalist Gianluigi Faà di Bruno [1909-2013], married to Anna Maria Andreini [19??-1981] (1947-1981) father of adopted daughters Costanza  Faà di Bruno, Camilla Faà di Bruno.

Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears – 1972 (senator)