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Adolfo Celi

Actor and director Adolfo Celi made his film debut in 1946's "Un americano in vacanza." In 1950, Celi co-wrote and co-directed the drama "Caiçara," in which he also starred. He would go on to produce and direct the biographical drama "Tico-Tico no Fubá" in 1952, and write and direct the comedy "Alibi" in 1969. All three were produced in South America, where Celi was a noted stage performer. He was fluent in several languages, allowing him to work all over the world. Celi went on to appear in more than 100 film and television roles. However, in the United States, Celi is most often recognized for his role as the Bond villain Emilio Largo from 1965's "Thunderball." Celi was fluent in English, but his dialogue was overdubbed for the film because of his thick Sicilian accent. This was often the case for his English-speaking roles. In 1981's BBC serial "The Borgias," Celi was not overdubbed and was harshly criticized for his inscrutable diction. Celi's final screen performance was on the Italian television program "Due assi per un turbo." He died from a heart attack at age 63.