Tomas Milian: The Cuban Actor Who Defined Italian Cinema
Tomas Milian, who was born in Havana on March 3, 1933, and passed away in Miami on March 22, 2017, was a prominent Cuban actor known for his portrayal of Italian culture. His film career took off with Sergio Sollima's spaghetti western trilogy, featuring roles in Faccia a faccia (1967), La resa dei conti (1967), and Corri uomo corri (1968) as 'Cuchillo'. He appeared in Sergio Corbucci's Vamos a matar, companeros (1970) and Lucio Fulci's I quattro dell'apocalisse. Milian's contributions were significant in Italy's cinematic history, as seen in Carlo Lizzani's Banditi a Milano (1968) and Liliana Cavani's I cannibali (1970). He became well-known in the poliziottesco genre with films like Squadra volante (1974) and Milano odia (1974), later creating the comedic character Nico Giraldi. He also collaborated with Michelangelo Antonioni in Identificazione di una donna (1982).
Key facts
- Tomas Milian was born in Havana on March 3, 1933, and died in Miami on March 22, 2017.
- He played 'Cuchillo' in Sergio Sollima's spaghetti western trilogy: Faccia a faccia (1967), La resa dei conti (1967), and Corri uomo corri (1968).
- He starred in Sergio Corbucci's Vamos a matar, companeros (1970), reportedly admired by future Red Brigades terrorists.
- He appeared as 'Chaco' in Lucio Fulci's I quattro dell'apocalisse.
- His poliziottesco films include Banditi a Milano (1968), Squadra volante (1974), Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare (1974), and La polizia accusa: il servizio segreto uccide (1975).
- Umberto Lenzi's trilogy Roma a mano armata (1976), Il cinico, l'infame, il violento (1977), and La banda del gobbo (1977) are considered masterpieces.
- He played Nico Giraldi in Bruno Corbucci's comedic poliziottesco films from 1976 to 1981, alongside Bombolo.
- He returned to auteur cinema with Michelangelo Antonioni's Identificazione di una donna (1982).
Entities
Artists
- Tomas Milian
- Sergio Sollima
- Sergio Corbucci
- Lucio Fulci
- Carlo Lizzani
- Liliana Cavani
- Pablo Larraín
- Stelvio Massi
- Umberto Lenzi
- Sergio Martino
- Bruno Corbucci
- Bombolo
- Michelangelo Antonioni
- Christian Caliandro
Institutions
- Artribune
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
Locations
- Havana
- Cuba
- Miami
- United States
- Italy
- Rome
- Tiber
- Porta Romana