Franco Nero - Actor Profile

Franco Nero

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 23, 1941
Birth Place: San Prospero Parmense, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

About Franco Nero

Francesco Clemente Giuseppe Sparanero (born November 23, 1941), known professionally as Franco Nero, is an Italian actor, producer, and director. His breakthrough role was as the title character in the Spaghetti Western film Django (1966), which made him a pop culture icon and launched an international career that includes over 200 leading and supporting roles in a wide variety of films and television programmes. During the 1960s and 1970s, Nero was actively involved in many popular Italian "genre trends", including poliziotteschi, gialli, and Spaghetti Westerns. His best-known films include The Bible: In the Beginning... (1966), Camelot (1967), The Day of the Owl (1968), The Mercenary (1968), Battle of Neretva (1969), Tristana (1970), Compañeros (1970), Confessions of a Police Captain (1971), The Fifth Cord (1971), High Crime (1973), Street Law (1974), Keoma (1976), Hitch-Hike (1977), Force 10 from Navarone (1978), Enter the Ninja (1981), Die Hard 2 (1990), Letters to Juliet (2010), Cars 2 (2011), and John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017). Nero has had a long relationship with Vanessa Redgrave, which began during the filming of Camelot. They were married in 2006, and are the parents of the actor Carlo Gabriel Nero.

Franco Nero Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Franco Nero reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Franco Nero's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 100% of Franco Nero's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Il tesoro di Damasco, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Franco Nero Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Franco Nero's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Franco Nero has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2023 The Pope's Exorcist The Pope Hit Similar →
2021 We Are Cinema Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2021 Django & Django: Sergio Corbucci Unchained Self - Actor Hit Similar →
2019 The Collini Case Fabrizio Collini Hit Similar →
2017 John Wick: Chapter 2 Julius Hit Similar →
2014 Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films Self - Actor Hit Similar →
2014 Figli di Maam - Super Hit Similar →
2014 Django, Sartana, Trinita' et les autres… Lui-même Super Hit Similar →
2013 Handy Frank The Black Super Hit Similar →
2012 Django Unchained Amerigo Vessepi Super Hit Similar →
2012 Crazy Dog Alvaro Genta Hit Similar →
2012 Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s Self Super Hit Similar →
2010 Letters to Juliet Lorenzo Hit Similar →
2009 Killing Is My Business, Honey Enrico Puzzo Hit Similar →
2007 Mineurs Michele Acucella Super Hit Similar →
2005 Vasco Rossi - È solo un rock'n'roll show Judge Super Hit Similar →
2003 The Uncrowned Heart Bear's Trainer Super Hit Similar →
2002 Die achte Todsünde: Das Toskana-Karussell Giuseppe Mantaldo Hit Similar →
2002 Ultimo stadio Antonio Super Hit Similar →
2002 Fumata blanca Cardenal Tura Super Hit Similar →
2001 Chimera Imprenditore Hit Similar →
2000 Saint Paul Gamaliel Hit Similar →
2000 Winds of Passion Michele Giangrande Super Hit Similar →
2000 Mirka Il Sindaco Super Hit Similar →
1998 Il tesoro di Damasco Andrea Super Hit Similar →
1997 Rack Up Jesus Barro Super Hit Similar →
1997 Desert of Fire Marcel Duvivier Super Hit Similar →
1994 The Dragon Ring Dragon King Hit Similar →
1992 From Time to Time Leonard De Vinci Super Hit Similar →
1990 Breath of Life Angelo Super Hit Similar →
1990 Die Hard 2 General Ramon Esperanza Hit Similar →
1989 A Double Victory Saverio Pallucca Hit Similar →
1986 Un altare per la madre - Hit Similar →
1985 André schafft sie alle Andre Super Hit Similar →
1982 Grog Nicola Fanelli Super Hit Similar →
1979 Le rose di Danzica General Konrad von Der Berg Super Hit Similar →
1977 Hitch Hike Walter Mancini Hit Similar →
1976 Keoma Keoma Hit Similar →
1975 How to Kill a Judge Giacomo Solaris Hit Similar →
1975 Smiling Maniacs Judge Dani Hit Similar →
1971 Confessions of a Police Captain Sostituto Procuratore Traini Hit Similar →
1970 Tristana Horacio Hit Similar →
1969 The Battle of Neretva Capitano Michele Rossi Hit Similar →
1968 The Mercenary Sergei Kowalski, The Polish Hit Similar →
1968 The Day of the Owl Captain Bellodi Hit Similar →
1966 The Bible: In the Beginning... Abel Hit Similar →
1966 Django Django Hit Similar →
1965 I Knew Her Well Italo - The garage attendant Super Hit Similar →
1965 La Celestina P… R… Fabrizio Hit Similar →
1964 Italian Engagement - Super Hit Similar →

Franco Nero - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Franco Nero?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Franco Nero is "Il tesoro di Damasco" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Franco Nero acted in?

Franco Nero has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Franco Nero?

Other notable films include "Figli di Maam", "Handy", and "Breath of Life".

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