Who was Bud Spencer? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Italian Celebrities Born In October

Also Known As: Carlo Pedersoli

Died At Age: 86

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Maria Amato

father: Alessandro Pedersoli

mother: Rosa Facchetti

children: Christine Spencer, Diamy Spencer, Giuseppe Pedersoli

Actors Italian Men

Height: 6'3" (190 cm), 6'3" Males

Died on: June 27, 2016

place of death: Rome, Italy

City: Naples, Italy

Notable Alumni: Sapienza University Of Rome

Founder/Co-Founder: Mistral Air

More Facts

education: Sapienza University Of Rome

awards: David di Donatello Special Award

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1

What were some popular movies that Bud Spencer starred in?

Bud Spencer starred in popular movies such as "They Call Me Trinity," "Trinity Is Still My Name," "Ace High," "Watch Out, We're Mad," and "Miami Supercops."
2

Did Bud Spencer have a background in sports?

Yes, Bud Spencer was a former competitive swimmer and water polo player. He even represented Italy in the Olympics.
3

What was Bud Spencer's real name?

Bud Spencer's real name was Carlo Pedersoli. He changed his name when he began his acting career.
4

Which actor often starred alongside Bud Spencer in his movies?

Bud Spencer often starred alongside Terence Hill in many of his movies, forming a popular duo in the Spaghetti Western genre.
5

What was the trademark style of Bud Spencer's characters in his movies?

Bud Spencer's characters were known for their tough, no-nonsense demeanor, often getting involved in comedic brawls and fights with adversaries.

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Childhood & Early Life

Born on October 31, 1929, in Santa Lucia, Naples, Italy, Pedersoli was the son of Alessandro Pedersoli and Rosa Facchetti. He grew up alongside renowned Italian writer, filmmaker, and actor Luciano De Crescenzo, who lived in the same building.

Since he was a child, he had been displaying his talent for swimming. In 1940, he relocated to Rome with his family and became part of a swimming club there.

After graduating from high school, he began attending Sapienza University of Rome, pursuing a degree in chemistry. However, he eventually dropped out, and in January 1947, relocated to South America and was employed in the Italian consulate in Recife, Brazil for a while.

In 1948, he came back to Italy to resume his education. This time, he studied law and eventually earned a Juris Doctor degree.

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Career in Sports

After returning to Italy, Pedersoli joined Società Sportiva Lazio Nuoto in Rome as a water polo player. As a swimmer, he had the distinction of being the first Italian to swim the 100 m freestyle in less than one minute.

He participated in his first international competition in 1949 and later garnered a silver medal in the 100 m freestyle event in the 1951 Mediterranean Games in Alexandria, Egypt.

As a swimmer, he represented Italy in two Summer Olympics (1952 and 1956) and made it to the semi-finals both times.

In 1954, representing S.S. Lazio, he won the Italian Water Polo Championship. A year later, he won the gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in Barcelona for Italy. While his swimming career came to an end, he continued to play water polo.

As a member of the national water polo team, he won Olympic Gold Medals in the sport in 1948 and 1960.

Career in the Entertainment Industry

In 1950, Pedersoli began his acting career with the comedy fantasy film ‘Quel fantasma di mio marito’. He subsequently appeared in films like ‘Siluri umani’ (1954), ‘A Hero of Our Times’ (1957), and ‘Hannibal’ (1959). The first time he used the professional name Bud Spencer was for the 1967 spaghetti western ‘God Forgives... I Don't!’.

During the filming of ‘God Forgives... I Don't!’, he became reacquainted with Mario Girotti (Terence Hill). They had previously met on the set of ‘Hannibal’ in 1959. However, it was on the set of ‘God Forgives... I Don't!’, under the supervision of the film’s director Giuseppe Colizzi, that their cinematic partnership began. It was also Colizzi’s suggestion that prompted both actors to change their names.

Spencer and Hill collaborated in more than 20 films, including ‘Ace High’ (1968), ‘Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure’ (1981), and ‘Troublemakers’ (1994). In these films, Spencer portrayed the "phlegmatic, grumpy strong-arm man with a blessed, naive child's laughter and a golden heart" opposite Hill’s graceful and vigorous characters.

Spencer developed or contributed to the development of the scripts of several of his films. He also sang in some of them.

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His last acting job was in the comedy series ‘Recipe for Crime’ (2010), in which he portrayed the main protagonist, Carlo Benci.

Other Ventures

Spencer was an inventor in his free time and obtained 12 or more patents, including for a walking stick with built-in table and chair, an electric toy mouse, and a disposable toothbrush with integrated toothpaste.

A certified commercial airline and helicopter pilot, Spencer launched his own airline, Mistral Air, in 1981.

In 2010, Spencer put out his autobiography, ‘Altrimenti mi arrabbio’. He also briefly sought a career in politics, unsuccessfully running for the position of regional councillor in Lazio for the Forza Italia party.

Family & Personal Life

On February 25, 1960, Bud Spencer exchanged wedding vows with film producer Giuseppe Amato’s daughter, Maria Amato. Their oldest child, a son whom they named Giuseppe, was born on February 11, 1961. He was followed by his sisters, Cristiana (born 1962) and Diamy or Diamante (born 1972).

Spencer passed away on June 27, 2016, in Rome. At the time, he was 86 years old. His son Giuseppe released a statement not long after, in which he revealed that his father “died without pain in presence of his family”.

Facts About Bud Spencer

Bud Spencer's real name was Carlo Pedersoli, and he was not only an actor but also a professional swimmer, lawyer, and successful businessman.

He was known for his towering height and physical strength, which he often showcased in his roles as a tough guy in spaghetti western and comedy films.

Bud Spencer was a talented musician and composer, having released several albums of his own music throughout his career.

In addition to his on-screen persona, Bud Spencer was also a philanthropist and actively supported various charitable causes, particularly those focused on children's welfare.

Despite his tough image on screen, off-screen Bud Spencer was known for his kindness and sense of humor, endearing him to fans around the world.

Bud Spencer Biography

You wanted to know

What were some popular movies that Bud Spencer starred in?

Did Bud Spencer have a background in sports?

What was Bud Spencer's real name?

Which actor often starred alongside Bud Spencer in his movies?

What was the trademark style of Bud Spencer's characters in his movies?