Eduardo Ciannelli

Eduardo Ciannelli was an Italian-American actor who is best known for his roles in Winterset, Marked Woman, and Kitty Foyle. Born on August 30, 1889, in Ischia, Italy, he became a prominent figure in theater and film during his career.

Personal and Family Life

Eduardo married Alma Wolfe on June 2, 1918, and they had two sons together, Lewis E. Ciannelli and Eduardo Jr. His early life was spent on the island of Ischia, where his father operated a health spa. Eduardo initially studied medicine at the University of Naples but soon pursued a career in music and acting instead.

Career

Ciannelli first gained fame as a baritone opera singer in Europe before transitioning to acting. He made his Broadway debut in the play Always You in 1920 and became known for playing characters with a rough edge, often portraying gangsters. Through the years, he appeared in many productions, both on stage and in films, establishing a reputation for his distinctive Italian-accented performances.

Death and Legacy

Eduardo Ciannelli passed away on October 8, 1969, in Rome, Italy, after battling cancer. He is remembered for his significant contributions to both theater and cinema, particularly his memorable portrayals of villains that left a lasting impact on audiences. He was buried at the Cimitero Flaminio in Lazio.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Houseboat 1958-11-19 Arturo Zaccardi
The Mummy’s Hand 1940-09-20 The High Priest
Gunga Din 1939-01-26 Guru
Marked Woman 1937-04-10 Johnny Vanning
La collina degli stivali 1969-12-20 Governor Boone / Moore
You Can’t Escape Forever 1942-10-10 Boss Greer
Dillinger 1945-04-25 Marco Minelli
The Conspirators 1944-10-24 Colonel Almeida (as Edward Ciannelli)
The Mask of Dimitrios 1944-06-23 Marukakis (as Edward Ciannelli)
Mysterious Doctor Satan 1940-12-13 Doctor Satan
The People Against O’Hara 1951-09-01 Sol ‘Knuckles’ Lanzetta
Heartbeat 1946-05-01 Baron Ferdinand Dvorak
Helen of Troy 1956-01-26 Andros
Cairo 1942-08-17 Ahmed Ben Hassan (as Edward Ciannelli)
I Love Trouble 1948-01-15 John Vega Caprillo
Law of the Underworld 1938-05-06 Rocky
Winterset 1936-12-03 Trock Estrella
Kitty Foyle 1940-12-27 Giono