John Kitzmiller


John Kitzmiller was an American actor who worked in his native land, as well as Italy and the United Kingdom. Kitzmiller achieved his greatest fame as a popular and versatile actor in Europe, making an estimated 40 European films. He was the first Black actor to win the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor in 1957 for his role in the Slovenian film Valley of Peace. He is best-known for his role as List of [James Bond allies#Quarrel|Quarrel] in the first EON-produced James Bond movie, Dr. No.

Early life

John Kitzmiller was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, the younger of two children born to John B. and Mary E. Kitzmiller. In high school Kitzmiller was a member of the Chemistry Club, and he later attended the University of Michigan, receiving a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1937.
He was commissioned in the US Army reaching the rank of captain in the Corps of Engineers. He was stationed in Italy in 1943, serving with the 92nd Infantry Division during the Italian campaign of World War II. Both of his parents died during his military service, events which probably influenced his decision to become one of the few black soldiers to remain in Italy after the war.

Acting career

Kitzmiller was discovered in 1946 by Luigi Zampa and Carlo Ponti while playing poker at an officers' club. This chance meeting led to his first acting role, in Zampa and Ponti's film To Live in Peace in 1947. Kitzmiller frequently worked in Italian neorealist films. He made Italy his permanent residence and ultimately starred in more than fifty European films, often portraying characters fighting racism.
He played the leading role of "Jerry" in the film Senza pietà, from a screenplay by Federico Fellini, Alberto Lattuada and Tullio Pinelli. He received awards commemorating both his role as an actor and as a soldier. In 1957, he was the first black actor to win a best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in the Slovenian film Valley of Peace. Kitzmiller is most famous for his role as Quarrel in the 1962 James Bond film Dr. No.

Death

Kitzmiller died in Rome of a liver ailment at the age of 51.

Selected filmography

To Live in Peace – JoeTombolo, paradiso nero – JackSenza pietà – Jerry JacksonTi ritroverò – The MPThe Monastery of Santa Chiara – Il negroThe [Force of Destiny (film)|The Force of Destiny] – Lo scudiero moroVariety Lights – Trumpet player JohnnyWolves Hunt at Night – the black servant of MiguelMassacre in Lace – Rocky SaddlerAt Sword's Edge Final Pardon Delitto al luna park Legione straniera – DjalmarFrine, Courtesan of Orient – Nabus, lo schiavo mutoCanto per te – AngenoreTerra straniera Non vogliamo morire – John – il timoniereQuay of Blondes – MichelDesiderio 'e sole – Domestico di SirovichLa peccatrice dell'isola – Il Pescatore negroIl grande addio Acque amare – MezzanotteTears of Love Il nostro campione – RaimondoValley of Peace – Sgt. JimThe [Mysteries of Paris (1957 film)|The Mysteries of Paris] – Lo SquartatoreA vent'anni è sempre festa – John MillerThe Naked Earth – DavidSlave Women of Corinth – TomoroVite perdute – LucaPensione Edelweiss – BougronDue selvaggi a corte – KatoSeven in the Sun – SalvadorPirates of the Coast – RockRevolt of the Mercenaries – TagoTotòtruffa 62 – Ambasciatore del KatongaLa corona di fuoco – AkimVenus Against the Son of Hercules – AfrosIl sangue e la sfida El hijo del capitán Blood – MosesDr. No – QuarrelTiger of the Seven Seas – SerpenteCave of the Living Dead – John – Black ServantIndios a Nord-Ovest Il ribelle di Castelmonte – AliUncle Tom's Cabin – Uncle Tom