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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Paolo Bonacelli (February 28, 1939 - October 8 2025) was an Italian actor. He is best known for his performance as The Duke de Blangis in Pasolini's notorious Salò (1975). He can also be seen in Midnight Express (1978) and Caligula (1979), in which he plays the role of Cassius Chaerea. He also co-starred with Roberto Benigni in the films Johnny Stecchino and Night on Earth, both from 1991. Description above from the Wikipedia article Paolo Bonacelli, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Paolo Bonacelli was a versatile Italian actor whose career spanned over five decades, moving between provocative arthouse cinema and international commercial productions.
He is widely recognized for his intense performance as The Duke de Blangis in Pier Paolo Pasolini's Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, as well as his roles in Midnight Express, Caligula, and his comedic collaborations with Roberto Benigni in films like Johnny Stecchino.
He was a character actor capable of navigating diverse genres, ranging from historical and political dramas to satirical comedies and high-stakes thrillers.