Born Mario Girotti in Venice in 1939, Terence Hill transitioned from a childhood actor discovered at a swimming competition into a defining figure of European cinema. Throughout a career spanning decades, he achieved global recognition through a prolific partnership with Bud Spencer, balancing action-oriented roles with comedic performances that dominated the Italian and international box office during the 1970s.
Early Career and Education
Hill began his professional life at age 12 after filmmaker Dino Risi cast him in the 1951 film Vacation with a Gangster. Throughout the 1950s, he secured roles in productions including Voice of Silence and The Abandoned. As a young adult, he transitioned into leading roles in films such as Guaglione and Lazzarella. During this period, he balanced his screen work with an academic focus, studying classical literature for three years at the Sapienza University of Rome, later supplementing his craft through training at the Actors Studio.
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In 1964, Hill moved to Germany, where he participated in a series of adventure and Western films based on the novels of Karl May. These included productions like Last of the Renegades and the two-part Die Nibelungen. Upon returning to Italy in 1967, he starred in God Forgives... I Don't alongside Carlo Pedersoli. To enhance marketability in non-Italian territories, the actor adopted the professional name Terence Hill, chosen from a list of twenty potential candidates.
Commercial Peak and Directing
The collaboration with Bud Spencer resulted in significant commercial success, particularly with the 1970 Western Lo chiamavano Trinità and its 1971 sequel, ...continuavano a chiamarlo Trinità, which became the highest-grossing Italian film of its time. Hill’s personal favorite film, the 1973 production Il mio nome è Nessuno, paired him with Henry Fonda. In later years, Hill expanded his professional scope to include television production and direction, maintaining a visible presence in Italian media through his lead role in the series Don Matteo from 2000 to 2022.
Fast facts
- Born: 1939, Venice
- Birth name: Mario Girotti
- Citizenship: Italy and Germany
- Notable collaboration: Bud Spencer
- Series lead: Don Matteo (2000-2022)
- Bambi Award recipient: 1975
- David di Donatello Lifetime Achievement: 2010
- Education: Sapienza University of Rome, Actors Studio
Questions readers ask
Why did he change his name to Terence Hill?
He chose the name from a list of twenty options to improve the films' commercial appeal in international markets, as using American-sounding names was a common industry practice for Westerns at the time.
Which film is his personal favorite?
He has identified the 1973 film Il mio nome è Nessuno (My Name Is Nobody), which co-starred Henry Fonda, as his personal favorite.
Achievements
- David di Donatello Award for Lifetime Achievement — 2010
- Worked as film director, comedian and television director
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