Star of Westerns and ninja movies Richard Harrison dies at 90
Richard Harrison, a figure who spanned the bizarre landscapes of spaghetti Westerns, exotic European cinema, and some of the world’s strangest ninja films, has passed away at the age of 90. He died of natural causes in Los Angeles on September 19, a passing confirmed by his producer and longtime friend, Joan Borsten.
Harrison’s professional journey was a remarkable tapestry woven from disparate genres. While he amassed over 100 film credits, he is perhaps best known to genre enthusiasts for his starring roles in Italian sword-and-sandal adventures and the grittiest spaghetti Westerns. He was a familiar face in films like Gunfight in the Red Sands, which featured the iconic score of Ennio Morricone.
His career began in Hollywood, where he honed his craft, moving from modeling in beefcake magazines to acting lessons. He found a unique calling in Italy, where he became a celebrated star in sword-and-sandal epics, appearing in films such as The Invincible Gladiator and The Two Gladiators. He also lent his presence to the Western genre, starring in A Fistful of Dollars, though he famously recommended Clint Eastwood for that iconic role.
But Harrison’s taste for the unusual never waned. By the 1980s, he ventured into the realm of action and espionage, collaborating with filmmaker Godfrey Ho on a series of low-budget Hong Kong ninja movies. Harrison starred in titles like Ninja Terminator, Ninja Dragon, and Ninja: The Protector. This association with Ho was particularly notable, as Ho was known for his experimental, cut-and-paste filmmaking techniques, meaning Harrison’s footage was often spliced into films he had not personally made. These ninja movies, though niche, have since developed a substantial cult following.
Beyond the screen, Harrison led a life rich with connections and conviviality. He maintained a wide circle of Hollywood and European friends, frequently hosting dinner parties where the evening culminated in much-anticipated “pasta at midnight.” His social circle included legendary figures like Steve Reeves, director George Cukor, actor Franco Nero, and writer Gore Vidal, demonstrating a life lived at the intersection of entertainment and high society.
His life also touched global affairs; in 1985, Harrison played a role in a story concerning the Cold War, helping Soviet actor Oleg Vidov defect. He later settled in Los Angeles, purchasing a property in Malibu and transforming it into a home known as Villa Francesca with his second wife, Francesca.
Richard Harrison’s legacy is a testament to a life lived fully across diverse cinematic worlds—from the dusty plains of the Westerns to the shadows of the ninja arts. He was an actor, a producer, and a friend who connected continents, leaving behind a colorful and memorable footprint on the history of cinema.
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