Richard Harrison, Spaghetti Western Star and Cult Icon, Dies at 90

American actor Richard Harrison, a prominent star of spaghetti westerns and action films, has passed away in Los Angeles of natural causes at the age of 90. His longtime friend and producer Joan Borsten confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.

Born in Salt Lake City, Harrison began his career in Hollywood before finding massive success overseas. Over a decades-long career, he starred in more than a hundred European productions, becoming a familiar face in sword-and-sandal epics, adventure films, and later, cult ninja movies.

Perhaps his most notable cinematic legacy stems from a role he turned down. In 1964, he was offered the lead role in Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars. Harrison declined and suggested an unknown American actor named Clint Eastwood instead, altering film history forever.

In the 1980s, Harrison achieved unexpected cult status through Hong Kong ninja films. Beyond his prolific acting career, he famously helped Soviet actor Oleg Vidov defect to the West in 1985 and was renowned for hosting legendary midnight pasta parties for industry friends.