Antonio Corevi (December 11, 1918 – October 22, 1990) was a dependable Italian character actor who became a familiar face in the robust “genre” cinema of the 1950s and 60s. Born in Cascina, Italy, Corevi possessed the rugged versatility required for the physical, action-oriented productions that dominated the Italian film industry during its international heyday.
Corevi was a frequent presence in the “Peplum” or “sword-and-sandal” genre, which saw a massive surge in popularity across Europe and America. He appeared in several high-energy mythological adventures, including Hercules and the Masked Rider (1963), Hercules, Samson & Ulysses (1963), and Samson and the Slave Queen (1963). His ability to portray stern soldiers, officials, or rugged adversaries made him an ideal fit for these sprawling ancient epics. He also appeared in the landmark American-Italian co-production Ben-Hur (1959), a film that utilized the massive talent pool of the Italian film industry.
To fans of cult horror and science fiction, Corevi is recognized for his role in the 1964 classic The Last Man on Earth. In this first adaptation of I Am Legend, he joined a cast that included Vincent Price and Giacomo Rossi Stuart, contributing to the film’s bleak and atmospheric portrayal of a world overrun by the infected. He continued to work in the horror genre later in the decade, appearing in the gothic thriller An Angel for Satan (1966) alongside Barbara Steele.
Beyond his mythological and horror roles, Corevi showcased his range in swashbuckling adventures like Robin Hood and the Pirates (1960). He remained active in the industry throughout its most prolific decades before passing away in 1990 in Montefalco, Italy. He is remembered as a professional of the “Golden Age” of Italian genre film—an actor who provided the essential supporting presence that made these imaginative worlds believable.
