Italian film comic Bud Spencer dies at 86

ROME: Bud Spencer, a burly comic actor dubbed the “good giant” for punching out bad guys on the screen, often in a long series of spaghetti westerns, has died in

ROME: Bud Spencer, a burly comic actor dubbed the “good giant” for punching out bad guys on the screen, often in a long series of spaghetti westerns, has died in Italy. He was 86.

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Italian news agency ANSA quoted his son, Giuseppe Pedersoli, as saying without adding medical details that his father died peacefully Monday evening.

Born in Naples as Carlo Pedersoli, he adopted the stage name Bud Spencer — the first name inspired by a beer and the last to honour his favourite star, Spencer Tracy.

Culture minister Dario Franceschini said Spencer “knew how to entertain entire generations.” Rome’s City Hall said it would hold Spencer’s wake there on Wednesday, so fans could pay tribute. In his youth, Spencer was an athlete, becoming the first Italian to swim the 100-meter freestyle in under a minute. Spencer’s roles exploited his physical strength, especially his big frame and girth. His imposing figure earned him a walk-on part as a Praetorian guard in the 1951 film “Quo Vadis?”

Italian director Mario Monicelli gave him his first big role in the 1955 film “Un eroe dei nostri tempi” (A hero of our times). Spencer abandoned his swimming career after the 1960 Olympics in Rome. Working on a 1967 film, “Dio perdona io no,” (God forgives, I don’t), Spencer met up with actor Mario Girotti, who would take the stage name Terence Hill and become his frequent movie partner in spaghetti westerns. Spencer, who had a law degree, made his name in lowbrow films.

Some of them include “Al di la’ della legge” (Beyond the Law) in 1968; “Lo chiamavano Trinita” (They Call Me Trinity) in 1970; “Watch Out, We’re Mad,” in 1974; “Io sto con gli ippopotami” (I’m for the Hippotamus) in 1979; “Double Trouble” in 1984 and “Un piede in paradise” (Speaking of the Devil) in 1991. Spencer’s movies delighted much of the public, but critical acclaim eluded him, Italian state radio said Tuesday, noting he drew laughs with physical humour.