Giuliano Gemma: Biography

Handsome, athletic Italian action star Giuliano Gemma was popular during the '60s for appearing in spaghetti Westerns and in political thrillers during the '70s. In the Westerns -- where he typically billed himself as Montgomery Wood -- Gemma was best known for playing the character Ringo in such films as Un Pistola per Ringo (1966). Gemma made his screen debut in 1956. After playing primarily in Westerns through the '60s, Gemma, to prevent further typecasting, experimented with a wide variety of genres, especially political or social dramas. In 1976, Gemma won the Italian equivalent of the Oscar for his portrayal of Major Matiss in Desert of Tartars (1976). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide