Actor

Paolo Bonacelli

1937 – 2025

Who they are

Born: 28 February 1937, Rome, Italy
Died: 8 October 2025
Known for: Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, Caligula, Midnight Express

Paolo Bonacelli (1937–2025) was a Roman-born Italian actor with a long career in European and international film. He is best remembered as the Duke in Pasolini's controversial Salò. He also took roles in Hollywood productions and in Italian comedies alongside Roberto Benigni.

Where to start

Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1976)Full guide
His signature role, as the Duke in Pasolini's provocative final film.
Caligula (1979)Log in to add it to the library
Played Cassius Chaerea in this infamous, big-budget international production.
Midnight Express (1978)Log in to add it to the library
A role in a widely seen English-language film, raising his international profile.
Johnny Stecchino (1991)In the library
Appeared opposite Roberto Benigni in one of Italy's popular comedies.
Mission: Impossible III (2006)Log in to add it to the library
A later Hollywood credit showing his continuing international career.

Their films in the library

Awards

No major awards are documented here.

The full list · 80

1964One Million DollarsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Zenone
1964Corpse for the LadyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Gedeon
1965SuperSeven Calling CairoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Capitano Hume
1966The Devil in LoveLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Inn's customer
1966Pleasant NightsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Messenger
1968Seven Times SevenLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1970Tears of LoveLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Cormick
1971MaddalenaLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1971A Prostitute Serving the Public and in Compliance with the Laws of the StateLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1972Il cancelliere KrehlerLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Max
1973Giordano BrunoLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1973Io e luiLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Vladimiro
1974The Murri AffairLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Francesco Bonmartini
1974Year OneLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Giorgio Amendola
1974MilarepaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Prof. Bennet
1975Beyond FearLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Francesco Grimaldi
1975Gli strumenti del potere. 1925/1926 la dittatura fascistaLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1976Salò, or the 120 Days of SodomLog in to add it to the libraryActor as The Duke
1976Illustrious CorpsesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Maxia
1976The InheritanceLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Paolo Furlin
1976Evil ThoughtsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Antonio Marani
1976La banca di MonateLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dottor Defendente Massera
1977This Is the NightLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1978Midnight ExpressLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Rifki
1978Nest of VipersLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Paolo Mazzarini
1979CaligulaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Chaerea
1979Christ Stopped at EboliLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Don Luigi Magalone
1979Good NewsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Gualtiero Milano
1980Le GuignoloLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Kamal
1980The Persian Lamb CoatLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Ferdinando
1981The Mystery of OberwaldLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Count of Foehn
1981CalderonLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1982Delitti, amore e gelosiaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Commissario Dell'Amore
1982Words and BloodLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Marcucci
1983The Knight, Death and the DevilLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Nicholas
1983The CommissionerLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Commissionario
1984Nothing Left to Do But CryLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Leonardo da Vinci
1984Henry IVLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Belcredi
1984The Naked SunLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1985Mother EbeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Don Paolo Monti
1986Camorra (A Story of Streets, Women and Crime)Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Tango
1986L'ultima mazurkaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lanza
1987Rimini RiminiLog in to add it to the libraryActor as l'ingegnere
1987Love SinsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Ercole Leoni
1988Lenin: The TrainLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Zinoviev
1988Topo GalileoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Professor Zitti
1989FrancescoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Francesco's Father
1989La moglie ingenua e il marito malatoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Carl Rune
1989A Double VictoryLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Guido Sormani
1990Flight from ParadiseLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Eliah
1990Only One SurvivedLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Andrade
1991Night on EarthLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Priest
1991Johnny StecchinoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as D'Agata
1991Touch and DieLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Morelli
1992Ciao, Professore!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Ludovico Mazzullo
1992Il segno del comandoLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Bonsanti
1993AbrahamLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Melchisedek
1993Mille bolle bluLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mario
1993Flusso di coscienza - Razzismo 1993Log in to add it to the libraryActor
1994The Teddy BearLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Novacek
1994Once a Year, Every YearLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Romano
1995Christmas Vacation '95Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Paolo "Paolone"
1996The Stendhal SyndromeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Cavanna
1997Bakunin's SonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Giudice
1999Dirty LinenLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Amedeo
2003A.A.A. AchilleLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dott. Aglieri
2003The Accidental DetectiveLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Direttore Della Galleria Palatina
2003Gli astronomiLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Peters
200413 at a TableLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Nonno Giulio
2006Mission: Impossible IIILog in to add it to the libraryActor as Monsignore
2010The AmericanLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Father Benedetto
2016The PloyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Vescovo
2018Magical NightsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Ennio 'The Great'
2019Forse è solo mal di mareLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Calogero (Voice)
2019To the Unknown GodLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2020DivineLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2023The CommanderLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Betti
2023Noi ce la siamo cavataLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Sé stesso
2024Nato il sei ottobreLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2026In the Hand of DanteLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Priest Of Alcamo

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.