Joe Bugner has passed away at age 75

[claws]

Bugner spent his final years with dementia and died at a care home in Brisbane, Australia, on 1 September 2025, at the age of 75. Source: wikipedia

Joe Bugner, the well-known boxing champion of the 1970s, took a break from the ring later in the decade to pursue something he had always dreamed of: acting. A little-known fact is that Italian actor Franco Nero, a close friend of Bugner's, played a pivotal role in this transition. When Bugner confided his plans, Nero encouraged him to launch his acting career in Europe rather than America. At the time, Nero's girlfriend was working as a casting agent in Italy. Impressed by Bugner's presence and potential, she quickly reached out to Bud Spencer's management. They were delighted at the prospect of adding such a famous name to their productions. The collaboration proved a success: Bugner went on to appear in four films alongside Bud Spencer, most often cast as the villain.

RIP