George Lazenby remembers actor Gabriele Ferzetti (1925-2015)

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2015-12-02

FSWL is saddened to report the passing of Italian actor Gabriele Ferzetti (born in Rome 1925) on 2 December 2015 at age 90. Gabriele portrayed James Bond's father-in-law, Marc Ange Draco, in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Servce (by many considered to be the best film in the 007 series). Our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Colleagues from OHMSS share their thoughts about Gabriele with FSWL:

"Gabriele had a good innings, I would like to say that he was a true gentleman and a skilled actor. He was the type of guy you would have as a Friend any day. I send my condolences to his family and I'm sure he will have a nice place wherever he goes next.”
– George Lazenby

“I didn't work with Gabriele while filming OHMSS, so didn’t have the pleasure of meeting him but have heard of his excellent reputation in our film community. It is always sad when a talented actor leaves this world. Another bright candle is extinguished and our family will miss its light.” – Catherine Schell

“How sad, but it was a good run . What a great age! I didn't meet Gabriele, but believe he was a Charmer and a Gentleman.”
– Jenny Hanley

“Unfortunately, because of the film shooting schedule, I never met or got to know Gabriele. I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of this very successful actor - famous well before his role in OHMSS. He had a special presence in the film, being both ruthless and charming.” – Sylvana Henriques

"Sorry to hear the news about Gabriele, a very good actor and a gentleman that it was easy to talk to. He will be sadly missed. R.I.P. God bless." – Terence Mountain

Gabriele Ferzetti obituary:
Gabriele Ferzetti was born Pasquale Ferzetti on 17th March 1925 in Rome. He has more than 160 credits to his name across film, television and stage. His career was at its peak in the 1950s and 1960s.

A prominent figure in Italian cinema from the 1950s on, Ferzetti's first leading role came in 1950 in the film Lo zappatore. He portrayed Puccini twice in 1953 and 1954 in the films Puccini (opposite Swedish actress Märta Torén) and Casa Ricordi respectively. Ferzetti made his international breakthrough in 1960 in his most acclaimed role as an oversexed, restless playboy in Michelangelo Antonioni's controversial L'Avventura (1960). After a series of romantic performances, he acquired a reputation in Italy as an elegant, debonair and a somewhat aristocratic looking leading man.

In 1966, Ferzetti starred as Lot in John Huston's biblical epic, The Bible: In the Beginning... co-starring Swedish actress Ulla Bergryd. In 1968, he played railroad baron Morton in Sergio Leone's celebrated Once Upon a Time in the West. A year later, he appeared in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service as Marc Ange Draco, perhaps his best known role internationally, though his voice was dubbed by British actor David de Keyser. He is perhaps best known to non-mainstream audiences for his role as the psychiatrist, Hans, in Liliana Cavani's arthouse classic The Night Porter (1974).

In the 1970s he appeared in a significant number of crime films, often as an inspector. In the 1980's, Ferzetti appeared opposite Laurence Olivier in the 1981 film Inchon (directed by three time Bond director Terence Young) and in Julia and Julia (1987). In the 1990's we saw him in the cult film First Action Hero (1994). More recently he played the role of Nono in the TV series Une famille formidable and appeared in Luca Guadagnino's 2009 film I Am Love.

Although he played Diana Rigg's father in OHMSS, he is only 13 years her senior.

Gabriele retired from acting in 2010 at the age of 75.

Photo above:
Gabriele Ferzetti in a scene with George Lazenby from On Her Majesty's Secret Service. © 1969 Danjaq S.A. & United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

For more information about Gabriele Ferzetti's acting career, check out his IMDB profile:

www.imdb.com/name/nm0275213/

Tags:

#on_her_majestys_secret_service

#terence_mountain

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George Lazenby remembers actor Gabriele Ferzetti (1925-2015)

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