Giovanni
Cianfriglia was born in Anzio, Lazio, Italy on April 5, 1935. He is an actor
and stuntman who while still very young made an appearance as a stunt double for
Steve Reeves in “Le fatiche di Ercole” (Hercules) in 1958, a role he was
entrusted with for his handsome body and athletic ability. His main activity in
the world of cinema was nevertheless that of an actor: in fact he’s acted in
over 125 films in Italy, France and the U.S.A. under the direction of dozens of
directors including Sergio Corbucci, Michele Lupo, Enzo G. Castellari and
Umberto Lenzi, working on films of many genres, including several films with
Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. He has often been credited with pseudonyms including
Ken Wood and John Richmond. His brother Domenico is also an actor and stuntman
(he was covered last week), often appearing in his brother's films. Giovanni
became one of the most recognizable faces as a supporting actor in the Italian
western genre. Still active he more recently worked on the Ben Stiller comedy
sequel "Zoolander No. 2" (2016).
CIANFRIGLIA, Giovanni (aka Giovanni Cianfrilla, Giovanni
Gianfriglia, Phil Karson, John Richmond, Jody Wanger, Ken Wood) [4/5/1935, Anzio,
Lazio, Italy - ] – stuntman, film, TV
actor, brother of cameraman, stuntman, actor Domenico Cianfriglia.
The Relentless
Four – 1965 (deputy)
The Tramplers –
1965
5 Giants from
Texas – 1966 (Jesus/Indios)
Ringo and His
Golden Pistol – 1966 (Sebastian) [as Ken Wood]
Ballad of a
Gunman – 1967 (gambler)
If You Want to
Live... Shoot! – 1967 (Stark) [as Ken Wood]
Killer Kid – 1967
(Ramirez) [as Ken Wood]
Bury Them Deep –
1968 (Billy Gunn) [as Ken Wood]
Kill Them All and
Come Back Alone – 1968 (Blade) [as Ken Wood]
No Graves on Boot
Hill – 1968 (Reno) [as Ken Wood]
Three Crosses Not
to Die – 1968 (Reno) [as Ken Wood]
Two Guns and a
Coward – 1968 (Roy Elroy) [as Ken Wood]
Adiós, Sabata –
1970 (Austrian agent)
Amen – 1970 [as
Ken Wood]
Durango Is
Coming, Pay or Die - 1970 (stagecoach robber)
The Unholy Four –
1970 (
Wanted Sabata –
1970 (Mexican)
Blindman – 1971
Django... Adios!
- 1971 (Spirito Santo henchman)
Drummer of
Vengeance – 1971 (Blackie) [as Ken Wood]
A Man Called
Django! – 1971 (Jeff henchman)
Return of Sabata
– 1971 (McIntock henchman)
Bada alla tua
pelle Spirito Santo! - 1972 (Garibaldino) [as Ken Wood]
The Ballad of Ben
and Charlie – 1972 (casino bouncer)
The Grand Duel –
1972 (
Gunmen and the
Holy Ghost – 1972 (Il Garibaldino) [as Ken Wood]
Life Is Tough, Eh
Providence? – 1972 (The Challenger) [as Ken Wood]
Man of the East –
1972 (saloon patron)
Return of the
Holy Ghost – 1972 (‘Il Garibaldino’) [as Ken Wood]
Sentence of God –
1972 [as Ken Wood]
Where the Bullets
Fly – 1972 (
You're Jinxed,
Friend You've Met Sacramento – 1972 (Murdock henchman)
Blood River –
1973 (Indian)
Keoma – 1975 (Caldwell
henchmen) [as Ken Wood]
Buddy Goes West –
1981 (Jack Bold) [stunts]
America in Rome –
1998 [himself]
Denn sie kennen kein erbarmen - Der
Italowestern (TV) – 2005
[himself]
