Deaths 2022

Deaths 2021

Deaths 2020

Deaths 2019

Deaths 2018

Deaths 2017

Deaths 2016

Deaths 2015

Deaths 2014

Deaths 2013

Deaths 2012

Deaths 2011

Deaths 2010

Deaths 2009


Full list by date of death

Tony Russel

Actor

Born - 23 November 1925, Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA
Died - 19 March 2017

Like Tomas Milian, who died a few days after him, dark-haired, good-looking Tony Russel, born Antonio Russo, was an American-raised actor who went to Italy in the 1960s in search of fame and fortune. Sadly, he is best recalled while there for turning down the leading role in A Fistful of Dollars. After service with the US Air Force, he went to Hollywood, where he was given a series of unfulfilling minor roles: Hiawatha (1952), The Silver Chalice (1954), Jump into Hell (1955), King Creole (1958), Last Train from Gun Hill (1959) and War is Hell (1960). Once in Italy, he landed leading roles straight away in a series of adventures, sci-fi thrillers and westerns: The Legend of Fra Diavolo (1962), Terror of the Red Cloak (1963), Revolt of the Seven Gladiators (1964), Sword of Damascus (1964), Oath of Zorro (1965), War of the Planets (1966), Wild, Wild Planet (1966) and Target Goldseven (1967). He returned to America but never enjoyed the same prominence: The Hard Ride (1971), Soul Hustler (1973), Mystic Warrior (1983) and the TV movie The Vegas Strip War (1984), his last feature.