John Anthony Carmine Michael Basehart (October 11, 1951 – May 16, 2015) was an American actor active in Italian cinema.
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Life and career
Born in Santa Monica, California, Basehart was the son of actor Richard Basehart and actress Valentina Cortese.
For a few years, between the mid-1970s and the early 1980s, he was among the most requested young actors in Italian cinema, appearing in many films, although mainly in supporting roles. At that time he was hailed for "genius and recklessness" because of his excesses, which were extensively discussed by Italian gossip columns.
Last years and death
Struck by progressive supranuclear palsy, which progressively involved difficulty in swallowing, obesity, several hospitalizations and operations, and gradual paralysis, Basehart died at his home in Milan on May 16, 2015, at age 63, predeceasing his mother.
Partial filmography
"Sealed Orders" - Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1967)
La linea del fiume (1976) - Owen
Mimì Bluette... fiore del mio giardino (1976) - David Ross
The Black Corsair (1976) - Corsaro Rosso
The Inglorious Bastards (1978) - Berle
The Iron Hand of the Mafia (1980) - Tony
Sesso e volentieri (1982) - The Prince
Viuuulentemente mia (1982) - Frank Lovejoy
Odd Squad (1983) - Pvt. Kirk Jones
Mai con le donne (1985)
Festival (1996)
The Return of Sandokan (1996) - Sir Burton
Tea with Mussolini (1999) - Count Bernardini (final film role)