Richard Harrison, the American-born actor who became a familiar face in 1960s Italian genre cinema, has died, according to RaiNews. Italian outlets including Corriere della Sera, la Repubblica and Corriere del Ticino also reported his death. RaiNews published its report on Thursday, 24 September 2026.
Harrison built his reputation in spaghetti westerns and peplum films, the sword-and-sandal productions that were a staple of the Italian industry in that decade. His name is tied to one of the most repeated stories in the genre: according to la Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, he turned down a role offered by Sergio Leone, and the part went to Clint Eastwood instead.
That decision is how several Italian outlets framed his career in their headlines, describing him as the actor who said no to Leone. AnconaToday noted that he also shot two films in and around the province of Ancona.
The reports available so far do not include a cause of death, a place of death or a full list of survivors. RaiNews and the other outlets gave no further details beyond confirming his death.
Harrison's filmography spans a period when Italian studios produced westerns and historical adventures in large numbers for international distribution, and he worked steadily within that system.
Further details on funeral arrangements and a complete account of his career are expected to emerge as Italian media publish fuller obituaries.
