Franco Gasparri was an Italian actor who is best known for his roles in “Mark il poliziotto,” “Mark colpisce ancora,” and “La furia di Ercole.” He gained fame both in Italy and abroad due to his good looks and acting talent.
Personal and Family Life
Born Gianfranco Gasparri on October 31, 1948, in Rome, Italy, Franco was the son of Rodolfo Gasparri, a film poster artist. He had a daughter, Stella Gasparri, who also became an actress. Gasparri began acting at a young age, making his mark as a child actor in various films.
Career Highlights
Franco started his acting career at just 12 years old. After his time in the Italian “Folgore” paratroopers, he rose to popularity through “fotoromanzi,” pictorial comic books that were popular in the 1950s and 1960s. His fame peaked in the mid-1970s when he took on the lead role in the “Mark the cop” film series.
Death and Legacy
Sadly, Franco Gasparri’s career came to a tragic halt following a motorcycle accident on June 4, 1980, which left him wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life. He passed away on March 28, 1999, in Rome due to respiratory failure. Despite his early retirement from acting, he is remembered for his contributions to Italian cinema and the influence he had on audiences.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| La preda | 1974-05-02 | |
| Mark colpisce ancora | 1976-10-20 | Mark Patti |
| Un volto tra la folla | 2008-01-01 | |
| Mark il poliziotto | 1975-08-01 | Mark Terzi |
| Mark il poliziotto spara per primo | 1975-12-22 | Commissario Mark Terzi |
| La furia di Ercole | 1962-05-21 | (as Gianfranco Gasparri) |
| La peccatrice | 1975-07-20 | Michele |
| Goliath contro i giganti | 1961-05-13 | |
| Sansone | 1961-12-23 | Asrae |