Antonio Cantafora

Antonio Cantafora (2 February 1944 – 20 April 2024) was an Italian film and television actor who became known in the 1970s for his energetic performances in the popular spaghetti‑western and action‑comedy genres. Born in Crotone, Calabria, he entered the world of drama under the mentorship of the renowned acting teacher Alessandro Fersen, where he acquired a solid foundation in theatrical techniques. Cantafora made his screen debut in 1967 with an uncredited role in The Dirty Outlaws, quickly moving on to more substantial parts such as Umberto in Lo stato d'assedio (1969) and the memorable Peter Kleist in the gothic horror film Baron Blood (1972). Between 1973 and 1977 he formed a promotional partnership with American actor Paul L. Smith, a duo deliberately fashioned to echo the commercial success of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer. In this configuration Cantafora, often billed as Michael Coby, portrayed the Hill‑like youngster while Smith assumed the Spencer‑type heavy, producing a string of light‑hearted, slap‑stick adventures including Carambola! (1974) and Carambola's Philosophy: In the Right Pocket (1975). After the partnership dissolved, Cantafora transitioned to become a respected character actor, collaborating with some of Italy’s most celebrated directors. He appeared in Federico Fellini’s experimental Intervista (1987), Jerzy Skolimowski’s The Bait (1990) and Bruno Barreto’s Gabriela (1983), displaying a versatility that spanned comedy, drama, and even horror, as seen in Demons 2 (1986). Throughout the 1990s and 2000s he remained a familiar face on television, contributing to holiday classics like Vacanze di Natale '90 and crime dramas such as The Card Player (2004). Cantafora’s career, which extended over five decades, was marked by an enduring work ethic and a willingness to embrace both leading and supporting roles. He passed away from a heart attack in Rome on 20 April 2024, at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy of spirited performances that continue to entertain fans of Italian genre cinema.