Paolo Bonacelli

Bonacelli graduated from the National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome.^[1][2] After debuting on stage in Vittorio Gassman's Questa sera si recita a soggetto,^[1] he had his first film role in Corpse for the Lady (1964).^[2] He appears (as the Duke) in Pier Paolo Pasolini's final film, Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975),^[3] as Rifki in Alan Parker's Midnight Express (1978),^[4] as Don Luigi Magalone in Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979),^[4] and as Cassius Chaerea in Tinto Brass' Caligula (1979).^[4] In addition, he worked under directors such as Michelangelo Antonioni, Roberto Rossellini, Elio Petri, and Liliana Cavani.

In 1985, he starred alongside Roberto Benigni and Massimo Troisi in Nothing Left to Do But Cry, a fantasy comedy film, in the role of Leonardo da Vinci.

In 1992, Bonacelli received the Nastro d'Argento for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Roberto Benigni's Johnny Stecchino.^[1][5][6]

In 2006, he appeared in the Tom Cruise film Mission: Impossible III^[4] and in 2010's The American with George Clooney.^[7]

Bonacelli died on 8 October 2025, at the age of 88.^[8]