Gian Maria Volontè was born in Milan, Italy in 1933, where he would later establish himself as one of the most promising actors of his generation. He began his journey in the world of theatre and television, earning his degree from the National Dramatic Arts Academy in Rome in 1957. Following his formal education, Volontè began to make a name for himself in film, landing supporting roles that would eventually lead to his breakthrough.
His big break came in 1964 when he played the role of Ramón Rojo in Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars. This success was followed by another notable performance in Leone's next film, For a Few Dollars More, in 1965. The next decade would be the most intense and successful period of Volontè's career, marked by a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.
One of the most notable films of this period was L'armata Brancaleone, directed by Mario Monicelli, which became the most successful Italian movie of 1966. Volontè's performance in We Still Kill the Old Way, directed by Elio Petri, earned him the Grand Prix du Scenario at the Cannes Film Festival in 1967. This was followed by his first Nastro d'Argento award in 1970 for his performance in Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, also directed by Petri.
This film would go on to win several prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Film, the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, and two Italian Golden Globes, one of which was for Volontè's performance. The film's success cemented Volontè's status as an international star.
In the early 1970s, Volontè continued to work with prominent directors, starring in two Italian films as the protagonist: Elio Petri's The Working Class Goes to Heaven in 1971 and Francesco Rosi's The Mattei Affair in 1972. Both films won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, where Volontè also received a Special Mention.
Throughout his life, Volontè would go on to win a huge number of other prizes and honors, solidifying his position as one of the most celebrated Italian actors of the 1970s. He was often mentioned alongside Vittorio Gassman and Marcello Mastroianni as one of the most popular Italian actors of his time. Gian Maria Volontè passed away in Greece in 1994, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented and accomplished actors of his generation.
