Pierluigi Conti (born 16 July 1951) is a retired Italian actor, known by the stage name Al Cliver. He is best known for starring in horror and exploitation films, especially ones by directors Lucio Fulci, Jesús Franco, and Joe D'Amato.
Early life Cliver was born Pierluigi Conti to Italian parents in Alexandria, Egypt. He began his career at the age of 16, as an actor and model in television commercials.
Career Cliver made his film debut at the age of 18, when he appeared in an uncredited bit part in Luchino Visconti’s The Damned (1969), playing a Brownshirt in the Night of Long Knives sequence.
He decided to use the name Al Cliver as his stage name, as it was trendy for Italian actors at that time to use American stage names. He decided on after Al Capone, or Al Pacino and his surname was taken from a death row prisoner who wrote a best selling book.
In 1974, he had his first starring role, in the romantic drama The Profiteer. His performance earned him a Nastro d'Argento Award nomination for Best New Actor.
He starred in erotic, adventure and crime movies, but he is mostly memorable for starring in exploitation and horror films such as Lucio Fulci's Zombi 2, The Black Cat, The Beyond and Demonia, and Jesús Franco's Mondo Cannibale and Devil Hunter.
Personal life From 1975 to 1978, he was in a relationship with French actress Annie Belle and has acted alongside her in the films Forever Emmanuelle, Blue Belle, Velluto Nero and Un Giorno alla fine di Ottobre. After their split they acted together in Molto di Più and L'Alcova.
Cliver was diagnosed with throat cancer in August 2008. He had to undergo surgery which has left him speaking strained in a mere whisper.
In 2018, Cliver published his memoirs, entitled Without Script.
As of 2024, he lives in Bali and is the owner and manager of holiday villas.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1969 The Damned Brownshirt at Bad WiesseeUncreditedLe 10 meraviglie dell'amoreAlfiCredited as 'Michael Conti'1974The ProfiteerErcole1975Waves of LustIrem1976LaureNicolaBlue BellePhilipAmore grande, amore liberoMarcoBig PotMichael TeagueSmooth Velvet, Raw SilkHoratioMister ScarfaceRickApache WomanTommy1977Un Giorno alla fine di OttobreLorenzoDeath HuntInspector Ettore Moretti1978Provincia violentaRoberto MauriBlazing FlowersDomino1979Zombi 2Brian HullL'alberto della maldicenzaFranco1980Flying SexRoman TracyMolto di piùMondo CannibaleJeremy TaylorDevil HunterPeter Weston1981The Black CatSgt. WilsonThe BeyondDr. Harris19832020 Texas GladiatorsNisusNotturno BorisUncreditedEndgameRon ShannonI brigantiMassaroniHearts and ArmourSelvaggioCredited as 'Pierluigi Conti'1984Warriors of the Year 2072Kirk1984Murder RockVoice AnalystUncredited1985The AlcoveElio1986The Mines of KilimanjaroGovernor's AideA Lustful MindRoberto1987Oggetto sessualeMarcello1988Touch of DeathRandy1990DemoniaPorter
Television Year Title Role Notes1986La piovraFiorito2 episodesCredited as 'Pierluigi Conti'1988Sodoma's GhostDrunken NaziTelevision filmUncredited1989The House of ClocksPeterTelevision film1990AquileInstructor1 episodeCredited as 'Pier Luigi Conti'
Awards and nominations Institution Year Category WorkResultNastro d'Argento1975Best New ActorThe Profiteer
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