Today marks the birthday of the beloved Italian actor Bud Spencer, born Carlo Pedersoli on 31st October 1929 in Naples. Known for his towering presence, comic timing, and memorable brawls on-screen, Spencer became an iconic figure in cinema, particularly in the Spaghetti Western and action-comedy genres.
With his longtime friend and co-star Terence Hill, Spencer created some of the most popular Italian films of the 1970s and 1980s, entertaining audiences worldwide.
Carlo Pedersoli was born in Naples’ Santa Lucia district, where his athletic abilities were evident from a young age. The Pedersoli family moved to Rome when Carlo was ten, and there he began to compete in swimming, setting records as a young athlete.
At only 21, he became the first Italian swimmer to break the one-minute barrier in the 100m freestyle, a milestone that helped him secure a spot on Italy’s Olympic team. Representing Italy at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and again in Melbourne in 1956, Pedersoli reached the semifinals. Beyond swimming, he excelled in water polo, winning an Italian championship with SS Lazio and a gold medal at the 1955 Mediterranean Games in Barcelona.
But swimming wasn’t the only arena where Pedersoli showed promise. After a brief period living in Brazil and working at the Italian consulate in Recife, he returned to Rome, studying law and beginning his tentative steps in the Italian film industry.
He landed his first role as a Praetorian guard in the 1951 historical epic Quo Vadis, setting the stage for a career that would make him one of Italy’s most beloved actors.
The Birth of Bud Spencer and an Iconic Partnership
In 1967, Pedersoli appeared in the Spaghetti Western God Forgives… I Don’t! alongside fellow Italian actor Terence Hill, whose real name is Mario Girotti. Director Giuseppe Colizzi suggested they adopt more American-sounding names, and Pedersoli chose “Bud Spencer” to honour his favourite beer, Budweiser, and his idol, Spencer Tracy. Thus, one of cinema’s most recognisable duos was born.
Over the next few years, Spencer and Hill starred in 18 films together, bringing comic flair and an inventive, action-packed approach to the Spaghetti Western genre. Their early films like Ace High (1968) and They Call Me Trinity (1970) were box office sensations, with audiences captivated by Spencer’s imposing figure, thick black beard, and signature style of delivering knockout punches with a single, well-timed fist slam.
The Man Behind the Icon: Piloting, Politics, and Philanthropy
Bud Spencer was more than just an action hero on screen; he led a rich and diverse life off-screen as well. His experience acting as a bush pilot alongside Terence Hill in the 1973 comedy All The Way Boys inspired him to earn a pilot’s licence, eventually flying both jets and helicopters. By 1984, he had founded Mistral Air, an air-mail carrier that also transported Catholic pilgrims to religious sites. Eventually, he sold the airline to Poste Italiane, which continues to operate it today.
Spencer’s diverse interests also led him to the political arena. In 2005, he accepted Silvio Berlusconi’s invitation to run for regional elections in Lazio as a Forza Italia candidate. However, he was not elected. He pursued various philanthropic ventures, holding patents for inventions and authoring books that reflected his life experiences, his philosophy, and his deep-seated faith.
Italy’s “Gentle Giant”
In the 1990s, Bud Spencer continued acting, taking on roles in television series and films well into his seventies. His later years were marked by a devoted fan base across Europe, particularly in Germany and Hungary, where his films are still widely celebrated. Spencer’s partnership with Terence Hill remains legendary, with their films continuing to broadcast on television, bringing a sense of nostalgia and joy to audiences. His iconic comedic fights, unforgettable character quirks, and humble personality made him a beloved figure, not only in Italy but worldwide.
Bud Spencer passed away in Rome in 2016 at the age of 86. He will forever be remembered as Italy’s “gentle giant.”
