On the Welsh Histories social media accounts, we recently celebrated what would have been the 96th birthday of legendary Welsh actor, Victor Spinetti.
Who Was Victor Spinetti?
Spinetti was born in Cwm, Ebbw Vale, on 2 September 1929 to Welsh-Italian father, Giuseppe, and Welsh mother, Lily. The family owned a chippy in Cwm and it was there where Victor was born.
He would grow to be an internationally famous and acclaimed actor, performing in dozens of films, television and radio shows. From appearing in movies alongside The Beatles (A Hard Day’s Night and Help!) to acting alongside fellow Welshman, Richard Burton, and Elizabeth Taylor in The Taming of the Shrew, he would work with some of the most famous actors of the 20th century.
Though he never identified with any label, Spinetti was also a gay actor during a less accepting time. His relationship with “life partner”, Graham Curnow, lasted 44 years. He spoke of it once, saying “I can’t bear labels, but on the other hand I support Gay Pride. In the 60s we were persecuted as much as anybody for living together. We were advised by our lawyers to tear up all the correspondence we’d ever written.”
Spinetti would pass away from a battle with prostate cancer on 19 June 2012 and he remains a certified Welsh legend of cinema and television.
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Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.