Gianfranco Bellini | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 July 1924 Palermo, Italy |
| Died | 9 August 2006 (aged 82) Rome, Italy |
| Other names | Gianfranco Zanchi |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, voice actor |
| Years active | 1936-2006 |
| Children | Silvia Bellini |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Davide Perino (grandson) Elena Perino (granddaughter) |
Gianfranco Bellini (10 July 1924 – 9 August 2006) was an Italian film, television and voice actor.[1]
Born in Palermo to actor parents, Bellini made his film debut at age 12 alongside his mother in the 1936 film The Two Sergeants.[2] The following year, Bellini starred in Mario Camerini's Il signor Max. He was credited under his mother's maiden name. In 1948, Bellini sought a career in voice dubbing. His first ever Italian dubbing role was in Bambi in which he voiced the title character as an adolescent.[3]
Bellini's career as a voice actor skyrocketed during the 1950s and 1960s. His most famous Italian dubbing roles included John Bosley (portrayed by David Doyle) in Charlie's Angels and HAL 9000 in the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey.[2] Bellini was the official Italian voice of Donald O'Connor and he also dubbed James Tolkan and Elisha Cook Jr. in some of their films.[2] In his animated roles, Bellini performed the Italian voices of Roger Radcliffe in One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Nutsy in Robin Hood and a Fox in Mary Poppins.[4]
Bellini's daughter Silvia previously worked as a voice actress. He was also the maternal grandfather of voice actors Davide and Elena Perino.[2]
Bellini died after a long illness in Rome on 9 August 2006 at the age of 82.[2]
