Spaghetti Western Actor And Celebrated Producer Mark Damon Dies At 91

Mark Damon died of natural causes on May 12 at the age of 91.
In front of the camera, he was a celebrated Spaghetti Western star with over 50 acting credits to his name.
Behind the camera, Damon was a successful producer who participated heavily in the business side of Hollywood.

On May 12, Mark Damon passed away. He was 91 when he died in Los Angeles of natural causes. His daughter, Alexis Damon Ribaut, whom he shares with his wife Margaret Markov, shared news of his passing with The Hollywood Reporter.

Throughout his career in the industry, Damon was a man of many hats. He became a famous, recognizable face on screen in Spaghetti Westerns, and his performance in House of Usher earned him a Golden Globe win. By the ’70s, he gained additional acclaim as a producer, a role in which he would find great success.

Mark Damon succeeded in all he endeavored

HOUSE OF USHER, Myrna Fahey, Mark Damon, 1960 / Everett Collection

Chicago native Mark Damon was born on April 22, 1933, the son of a grocer. While Damon was still young, he ended up in Los Angeles. He was still in high school when he was scouted by Groucho Marx. But Damon turned down this opportunity in favor of attending dental school. Damon eventually changed tracks once again, but it wasn’t to learn acting just yet; instead, he attended the Anderson School of Management and even graduated with an MBA.

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Finally, Damon started taking theater classes, and it was then he realized he wanted to act.

His career began in the late ’50s after signing a contract with 20th Century Fox. Four years later, he found himself winning the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor thanks to his performance in House of Usher. Damon uprooted his life once more, this time to settle in Italy and become a face in the Sphagetti Western genre.

He also had many triumphs on the other side of the camera

The star used his business background to make big things happen in Hollywood / Everett Collection

As a producer and executive producer, Damon proved just as talented. He had over 70 production credits to his name—and 50 acting credits—including The Lost Boys, The Upside of Anger, Lone Survivor, and Beyond A Reasonable Doubt.

But Damon also helped transform the business side of Hollywood, allowing the industry as a whole to flourish just as his company did; they are Vision International, Producers Sales Organization, MDP Worldwide, and Foresight Unlimited. He was also a founding member of the International Film and Television Alliance (IFTA).

Damon built a highly decorated career on both sides of the camera / Everett Collection

Damon also participated in the international licensing of some of the biggest films today, including the celebrated James Bond entry, Never Say Never Again, and the star-studded Once Upon A Time In America. His final production credit is 2019’s The Last Full Measure.

Rest in peace, Mark Damon.