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John Steiner

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people, see John Steiner (disambiguation).

John Steiner
Steiner in Waves of Lust (1975)
Born(1941-01-07)7 January 1941
Chester, Cheshire, England
Died31 July 2022(2022-07-31) (aged 81)
La Quinta, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, real estate agent
Years active1965–1991 (acting)
1991–2022 (real estate)
Websitehttps://johnsteiner.evrealestate.com/

John Steiner (7 January 1941 – 31 July 2022) was an English actor. Tall, thin and gaunt, he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed on-stage for the Royal Shakespeare Company, but was best known to audiences for his roles in Italian films, several of which became cult classics.[1]

Early life and acting career

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Steiner was born in Chester, Cheshire on 7 January 1941.[2] He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. He acted in the role of Monsieur Dupere in Peter Brook's production of Marat/Sade. He reprised the role when the play was transferred to Broadway, and again for the 1967 film adaptation.

On television, he played Grey Wyler, a psychology student in The Death Game, an 1967 episode of The Saint. He found work primarily in films including and the original Bedazzled (1967) with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.[3] In 1969, Steiner played a part in the Spaghetti Western Tepepa, and also appeared opposite Franco Nero in White Fang, directed by Lucio Fulci. In 1971 he starred in the television series Hine.[4] In 1979 he featured in the leading role of Leo in a television production of Design for Living by Noël Coward.[5]

He found himself in demand in Italy and moved there, appearing in a great number of Italian exploitation and B-films including police actioners (Violent Rome), westerns (Mannaja), war films (The Last Hunter), nazisploitation (Deported Women of the SS Special Section), sci-fi adventure films (Yor, the Hunter from the Future), and horror films, such as Mario Bava's Shock, Dario Argento's Tenebrae, and Ruggero Deodato's Body Count. He also became a favourite of famed Italian filmmaker Tinto Brass, featuring in Salon Kitty, the infamous Caligula, Action, and Paprika.[6] He remained in steady demand until the late 1980s.

Retirement and later life

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As the Italian film industry dwindled, Steiner retired from acting in 1991 and moved to California, where he became a successful real estate agent.[7] Steiner later contributed to DVD extras on some of his films and gave interviews about his Italian work.

Personal life

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Steiner was bisexual. During the 1960s he was in a long-term relationship with director John Schlesinger and became the basis for the character Bob Elkin (played by Murray Head) in Schlesinger's semi-autobiographical film Sunday Bloody Sunday.[8]

He later married, and is survived by his wife of over 30 years

In addition to English, Steiner spoke French, Italian, and German.[9]

Death

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Steiner died in a car crash in La Quinta, California,[7] on 31 July 2022, at the age of 81.[1][10][11]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b Fiorentino, Francesca (2 August 2022). "Addio a John Steiner, volto celebre di spaghetti western e poliziotteschi". asburymovies.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  2. ^ Barnes, Mike (4 August 2022). "John Steiner, Actor in 'Caligula,' Dies at 81". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  3. ^ "John Steiner | Movies and Filmography". AllMovie.
  4. ^ "The Little White Lady (1971)". BFI. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019.
  5. ^ Play of the Month: Noël Coward's Design for Living, BBC Genome, accessed 31 March 2020
  6. ^ "John Steiner". BFI. Archived from the original on 23 March 2018.
  7. ^ a b Albani-Burgio, Paul. "British actor John Steiner identified as man killed in La Quinta crash on Sunday". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  8. ^ Mann, William J. Edge of Midnight: The Life of John Schlesinger. Billboard Books. ASIN B005Q8EQJW.
  9. ^ Network, Reliance. "bio/johnsteiner". johnsteiner.evrealestate.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  10. ^ Haring, Bruce (4 August 2022). "John Steiner Dies: Veteran Film Actor For 'Caligula' In Car Accident, Was 81". Deadline. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  11. ^ Barnes, Mike (4 August 2022). "John Steiner, Actor in 'Caligula,' Dies at 81". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
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