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Acclaimed Italian Actor Girone Dies at 76 After Cancer Battle
4 Oct
Summary
- Girone battled bladder cancer and died on October 1, 2025
- Played mafia kingpins in films like Live by Night and The Equalizer 3
- Starred in acclaimed Italian TV drama La Piovra for over a decade
Claudio Girone, a renowned Italian actor known for his portrayal of mafia kingpins, passed away on October 1, 2025, at his home in Monte Carlo. He was 76 years old and had been battling bladder cancer.
Girone's acting career spanned decades, with his most notable roles including the mafia boss Maso Pescatore in the 2016 film Live by Night, directed by and starring Ben Affleck. More recently, he played a doctor who aids Denzel Washington's character in the 2023 film The Equalizer 3, set in Altamonte, Italy.
However, Girone's most acclaimed role was as the crooked banker Gaetano "Tano" Cariddi in the long-running Italian television drama La Piovra (The Octopus). He joined the show in 1987 and appeared in multiple seasons over the next decade, with his character said to have been inspired by real-life mafioso Michele "The Shark" Sindona.
Girone's talent and dedication to his craft were recognized with lifetime achievement awards from the Venice International Film Festival and Flaiano Film Festival in 2021. He is survived by his wife, actress Victoria Zinny, and his stepchildren, Veronica and Karl.
