Stanley Kubrick’s longtime partner and collaborator, Leon Vitali, died on Friday, August 19 at the age of 74 in Los Angeles. His death was confirmed by his family to The Associated Press. At the time of his death, the actor was accompanied by three children, Maša, Maks and Vera. Although the family did not reveal the cause of death, Vitali was said to have died quietly.
After his death, Masha Vitali issued the following statement to The Associated Press:
“Leon was a wonderful and charming guy who carried love and warmth everywhere, inspired by his curiosity.” He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by the many individuals he touched.”
Everything about Leon Vitali
Leon Vitali was an English actor best known for appearing in Stanley Kubrick’s films such as Barry Lyndon in 1977 and Eyes Wide Shut in 1999. He also worked as an assistant to Kubrick on The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut, among other films.
Leon Vitali has been considered Stanley Kubrick’s right-hand man for years. They met in 1974, perhaps during the filming of Barry Lyndon (in which Vitali portrayed Lord Bullingdon). After their initial collaboration, Vitali is said to have developed a rapport with Kubrick during production, and was then asked to join the legendary director for his adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining. Vitali worked as Kubrick’s assistant throughout the production.
Later, on the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket, Vitali worked as both casting director and Kubrick’s assistant. Vitali was again casting director and Kubrick’s assistant on his last film, Eyes Wide Shut in 1990, and again played Red Cloak. In the film, Vitali was also served as an Easter egg by a newspaper prop. A newspaper item read by Tom Cruise’s character, Dr. William Harford, refers to Vitali as “fashion designer Leon Vitali.”
According to Tony Zierra’s 2017 documentary Vitali, Filmworker, the English actor managed the restoration of Stanley Kubrick’s films after his death. The documentary states that Vitali emphasized his position as Kubrick’s personal assistant over his acting career.
The Associated Press reports:
“Vitali even set up a video monitor so Kubrick could keep an eye on his dying pet for once.”
Leon Vitali’s debut in the industry
From 1970 to 2018, the late 74-year-old attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and worked in films. Leon Vitali was in several TV shows in one-off parts in the early 1970s before landing a role in The Fenn Street Gang in 1971. In 16 episodes, he played the role of Peter Craven.
Vitali played Victor Frankenstein in the legendary film Terror of Frankenstein in 1977, two years after his first work with Stanley Kubrick. Vitali met his future wife, costume designer Kersti Vitali (née Gustafsson), while working on the film. They have three children together. Although not proven, Kersta’s IMDb page indicates that the two divorced at some point.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education