Cesare Danova

Biography

Cesare Danova, born Cesare Deitinger on March 1, 1926, in Bergamo, Italy, was a prominent television and film actor whose career spanned several decades. After adopting the stage name Danova, he ventured into the acting scene in Rome towards the end of World War II. In the 1950s, he moved to the United States, where he made his American film debut in the 1955 production of Don Giovanni. By 1956, he had signed with MGM.

Danova's notable performances included a role in The Man Who Understood Women, but his career-defining moment came in 1963 with his portrayal of Apollodorus, Cleopatra's devoted servant, in the epic film Cleopatra directed by Joseph Mankiewicz. Although his character was initially intended to play a significant part in the love triangle involving Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the role was ultimately reduced due to the tumultuous relationship between the two stars, resulting in a mere cameo for Danova.

The following year, he starred as Count Elmo Mancini alongside Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas. In 1967, he found success on television with Garrison's Gorillas, a series inspired by The Dirty Dozen, which lasted only one season. Danova's later roles included memorable performances in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets and National Lampoon's Animal House. Over his career, he appeared in various TV series, including Murder, She Wrote and the revival of Mission: Impossible.

Danova passed away from a heart attack on March 19, 1992, in Los Angeles while attending a meeting for the Foreign Language Film committee. He was buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery. He was married twice and had two sons, Marco and Fabrizio, from his first marriage to Pamela, and was known for his skills in horseback riding, polo, and archery.