Terence Hill, born Mario Girotti on March 29, 1939, is one of the most recognizable Italian actors in cinema history. At 87 years old in 2026, he remains beloved by generations of fans around the world. His unforgettable blue eyes, charming smile, and unique sense of humor helped turn him into an international movie legend.See More…
Hill was born in Venice, Italy, to an Italian father and a German mother. During his childhood, he spent several years in Germany, where he experienced the difficult final years of World War II. Growing up during such a challenging period gave him memories that stayed with him throughout his life.
His journey into acting began surprisingly early. As a young boy, he was discovered by a filmmaker and appeared in the 1951 Italian film Vacation with a Gangster. Although he was still a child, his natural presence in front of the camera suggested that he might one day become a major star.
During his teenage years and early adulthood, Hill continued appearing in Italian films. He worked alongside respected actors and directors, gradually developing his skills and building a reputation in the European film industry. Before becoming internationally famous, he appeared in the celebrated historical drama The Leopard in 1963, alongside Burt Lancaster and Claudia Cardinale.
In the 1960s, Hill began appearing in Western films, a genre that would eventually transform his career. He adopted the stage name Terence Hill to make his name more internationally appealing. His birth name, Mario Girotti, became less familiar to audiences as his screen identity grew in popularity.
One of the most important moments of his career came in 1967, when he appeared alongside Carlo Pedersoli, later known as Bud Spencer, in God Forgives… I Don’t! Their chemistry was immediate. Hill’s quick, clever, and mischievous character contrasted perfectly with Spencer’s powerful and serious screen presence.
The partnership between Terence Hill and Bud Spencer became one of the most successful comedy duos in European cinema. Their films combined action, humor, friendship, and memorable fight scenes. Audiences loved their playful rivalry, and the two actors developed a genuine friendship that lasted for decades.
In 1970, Hill reached another milestone with They Call Me Trinity. Playing the lazy but incredibly skilled gunfighter Trinity, he became a household name across Europe and beyond. The film’s success led to the 1971 sequel Trinity Is Still My Name, which became one of the biggest commercial successes in Italian cinema at the time.
Hill also demonstrated that he could succeed without Bud Spencer. In 1973, he starred alongside Hollywood legend Henry Fonda in My Name Is Nobody. The film combined Western traditions with comedy and helped establish Hill as an internationally recognized leading actor in his own right.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he starred in numerous popular films, including Crime Busters, Odds and Evens, I’m for the Hippopotamus, and Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure. His movies were especially popular in Italy, Germany, and other European countries, where television broadcasts introduced his adventures to new generations.
Behind his successful career, Hill also experienced profound personal tragedy. In 1990, his adopted son Ross died in a car accident in the United States at the age of 16. The loss deeply affected Hill and his family. He later continued his work while maintaining a relatively private family life with his wife, Lori, and their surviving son, Jess.
In 2000, Hill began a new chapter with the Italian television series Don Matteo. Playing a priest who helps solve crimes, he introduced himself to an entirely new generation of viewers. He remained the central star of the series for more than two decades, appearing in hundreds of episodes before leaving the role in 2022.
So, where is Terence Hill today? As of 2026, he is reported to live in Amelia, a historic town in the Umbria region of central Italy, with his wife, Lori. He turned 87 on March 29, 2026, and has largely stepped back from regular acting, although he continues to attract attention at public events and through his official social media presence. He remains closely connected to the Italian countryside and to the fans who have followed his remarkable career for more than 70 years.
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