By Bethany Whittingham,Claudia Trotman

Copyright dailystar

Italian actor Remo Girone, famed for his roles in the classic mafia TV series La Piovra and blockbuster Ford v Ferrari, has sadly passed away at 76 following a battle with bladder cancer, according to reports. The star’s death was reported by La Repubblica, via The Hollywood Reporter, stating that he died on Friday (October 3) at his home in Monte Carlo.

The established actor’s first film credit came in the 1974 movie The Antichrist before he went on to star in a string of Italian productions, including Father of the Godfathers, Malamore, Breath of Life, and Don’t Stop Me Now.

He also appeared as Italian Mafia boss Maso Pescatore in the 2016 American action-drama Live by Night, where he shared the screen with Ben Affleck.

Just two years later he starred alongside A-listers Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Then, he played Cesare Greco in an episode of Killing Eve, while in 2019 he starred as the founder of the Italian luxury sports car company Ferrari in Ford v Ferrari.

His last on-screen credit came alongside Denzel Washington in 2023’s The Equalizer 3.

The actor’s best-known role as in the drama La Piovra, which he joined in its third season in 1987.

He played corrupt banker Gaetano ‘Tano’ Cariddi, who was reported to have been inspired by real-life mafioso Michele ‘The Shark’ Sindona.

Girone had to take a step back from filming in 1995, where he took a six year break due to cancer treatments. Last year he spoke about how the diagnosis had nearly ended his time on the series as he underwent surgery and brutal chemotherapy.

He told Corriere della Sera: “The show’s producers wanted to terminate my contract, replacing me with another similar character,

“I went to complain, accompanied by my lawyer, but then my wife had a brilliant idea

“Since we were filming season nine, she suggested to the director that I end it early – with a beautiful scene and bring me back for season ten, after I had finished my treatments. And so it happened, the tumour was cured and Tano Cariddi returned”.

In 2021, he received lifetime achievement awards from the Venice International Film Festival and Flaiano Film Festival.

Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here

Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter