Victor Spinetti was a Welsh actor, director, and writer, born on September 2, 1929, in Wales, to Giuseppe Spinetti and Lily (Watson) Spinetti. He was educated at Monmouth School and later studied at the College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
Spinetti began his acting career in London's West End, performing in various stage productions, including "Expresso Bongo" and "Candide". He also spent six years with Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, where he appeared in notable productions such as "The Hostage", "Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'be", and "Every Man in His Humour".
His breakthrough performance came in the musical "Oh! What a Lovely War", which earned him a Tony Award and a Theatre World Award. He went on to co-star in "The Odd Couple" with Jack Klugman and appeared in numerous productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including "Oliver!" and "Peter Pan".
Spinetti's film debut was in the 1958 British film "Behind the Mask", followed by appearances in "Sparrows Can't Sing" and "The Gentle Terror". He gained international recognition for his roles in the Beatles' films "A Hard Day's Night", "Help!", and "Magical Mystery Tour".
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Spinetti appeared in a wide range of films, including "The Wild Affair", "The Taming of the Shrew", "The Biggest Bundle of Them All", and "Start the Revolution Without Me". He also appeared in several television series, including "Two in Clover" and "Take My Wife...".
In the 1980s, Spinetti focused more on television, appearing in guest spots on various series, including "Time of Your Life", "Sweet Sixteen", and "Kelly Monteith". He also starred in the comedy series "An Actor's Life for Me" and appeared in several TV movies, including "Mistral's Daughter" and "The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank".
Spinetti's later acting credits included the films "Under the Cherry Moon", "The Krays", and "Julie and the Cadillacs", as well as voiceover work for the animated TV series "SuperTed" and "The Further Adventures of SuperTed". He continued to work in film and television until his death on June 18, 2012, at the age of 82, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer the previous year.
