Updated 3/27/2007 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in March 1910, character actor Richard Conte endured a hardscrabble youth yet harbored a desire for acting from a young age. After he matured into adulthood, he studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and quickly became a standout performer. Moving to Broadway in the late 1930s, Conte scored a number of successes on the legitimate stage, starring in such plays as Night Music and Walk Into My Parlor under his real name, Nicholas Conte. In 1942 he left New York for Hollywood upon signing a long-term contract with 20th Century Fox. His first film at Fox was Guadalcanal Diary (1943; with Lloyd Nolan and William Bendix), in which Conte had a substantial role. During World War II, Conte starred in many war dramas; the best of these is A Walk in the Sun (1945; with Dana Andrews and John Ireland). Following the war, Conte's dark and stern countenance made him a natural for film noir. Fox then cast him in such crime dramas as Somewhere in the Night (1946; with John Hodiak) and Call Northside 777 (1948; with James Stewart). After leaving Fox for Universal International in late 1949, Conte continued in such film noir releases as The Sleeping City (1950; with Coleen Gray) and The Raging Tide (1951; with Shelley Winters). In the early 1950s, Conte freelanced for awhile; his best low-budget crime drama during this period was Highway Dragnet (1954; with Joan Bennett). Conte signed again with a studio, this time Columbia, in the later 1950s.
the films of richard conte
The Spider (1945)
Faye Marlowe hires private detective Richard Conte in the noirish 20th Century Fox release The Spider, a film that borrows its plot from The Maltese Falcon
The Other Love (1947)
With David Niven in the romance The Other Love
Thieves' Highway (1949)
From the 20th Century Fox film noir drama Thieves' Highway
Whirlpool (1949)
LEFT: Gene Tierney is a shoplifter and Richard Conte is her doctor husband in the 20th Century Fox film noir release Whirlpool. RIGHT: With Charles Bickford
The Sleeping City (1950)
With Coleen Gray in Universal's underrated film noir The Sleeping City
The Fighter (1952)
LEFT: Conte as Mexican boxer Filipe Rivera in the intriging drama The Fighter. RIGHT: With Vanessa Brown
The Raiders (1952)
From the Universal-International western The Raiders. LEFT and CENTER A: With Vivica Lindfors. CENTER B and RIGHT: Conte as Jan Morrell
The Blue Gardenia (1953)
With George Reeves in the Warner Bros. film noir release The Blue Gardenia
Desert Legion (1953)
With Alan Ladd in the Universal-International adventure Desert Legion
Target Zero (1955)
From the Warner Bros. Korean war flick Target Zero with John Alderson and Peggie Castle
They Came to Cordura (1958)
Behind-the-scenes photo with Tab Hunter in Columbia's period war western They Came to Cordura
later years
Richard Conte's career began to slow in the early 1960s, with the death of film noir. After a couple of forays into television and a few more films, Conte headed to Europe, where he acted in a string of films. In his later years, he snagged a great role in The Godfather (1972; with Marlon Brando), but headed back to Europe afterward to star in more movies. Following a heart attack, Richard Conte passed away in April 1975 at the age of 65. He was survived by his wife, a son, and two stepsons.
The Twilight Zone, Vol. 7 [DVD] DVD Includes "Perchance to Dream," "Shadow Play," and "King Nine Will Not Return." Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono. The Purple Heart [DVD](1944) DVD Following their capture by the Japanese after being shot down on a bombing run, eight American fliers are placed on trial as war criminals and tortured for information. Harrowing tale of courage, based on true incidents, stars Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, Farley Granger, Sam Levene, Richard Loo; producer Darryl F. Zanuck co-scripted. 99 min. Soundtrack: English mono. 13 Rue Madeleine [DVD](1947) DVD Crack wartime espionage story stars James Cagney as an O.S.S. agent sent into occupied France to uncover the site of a German missile silo before the Allied landing at Normandy. Told in a documentary style; with Annabella, Richard Conte, Frank Latimore. 95 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish; newsreel clip; theatrical trailer. Guadalcanal Diary [DVD](1943) DVD Made almost simultaneously with the American assaults on Japanese-held islands in the Pacific, this gritty look at the day-by-day struggles of a "melting pot" Marine squadron stars Anthony Quinn, Lloyd Nolan, William Bendix, Richard Jaeckel, Lionel Stander, Preston Foster and Richard Conte. 93 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; theatrical trailer. A Walk In The Sun [DVD](1945) DVD Terrific WWII drama from director Lewis Milestone follows one infantry platoon in battle from the time they land on an Italian beach to their bloody drive to claim an enemy-held farmhouse six miles inland. Top-notch cast includes Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, John Ireland, Lloyd Bridges, Norman Lloyd and Huntz Hall. 112 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access. Somewhere In The Night [DVD](1946) DVD Stricken with amnesia during action in the South Pacific, WWII Marine John Hodiak returns home with only a letter from a now-dead ex-girlfriend as a clue to his past. Back in Los Angeles, Hodiak finds the key to regaining his identity is linked to a deadly double-cross and a missing fortune. Fine noir-flavored suspenser, directed and co-written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, co-stars Nancy Guild, Richard Conte, Lloyd Nolan. 108 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailer. Call Northside 777 [DVD](1948) DVD Set and filmed in Chicago, this gritty, based-on-fact newspaper drama stars James Stewart as a cynical reporter who discovers that the wrong man may be behind bars for the killing of a cop that occurred years earlier. Stewart's investigation leads him to the witness to the murder and makes him question the police department's motives. Richard Conte, Lee J. Cobb and E.G. Marshall star. 111 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; newsreel footage; theatrical trailer. Call Northside 777(1948) VHS Set and filmed in Chicago, this gritty, based-on-fact newspaper drama stars James Stewart as a cynical reporter who discovers that the wrong man may be behind bars for the killing of a cop that occurred years earlier. Stewart's investigation leads him to the witness to the murder and makes him question the police department's motives. Richard Conte, Lee J. Cobb and E.G. Marshall star. 111 min. House Of Strangers [DVD](1949) DVD Compelling drama stars Edward G. Robinson as a heartless banker whose ruthlessness turns three of his sons against him and leads the one loyal child to try to help him at the cost of his own freedom. Richard Conte, Luther Adler, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. and Paul Valentine are the sons; Susan Hayward, Debra Paget co-star. 100 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; photo gallery; poster gallery; theatrical trailer. Thieves' Highway [DVD](1949) DVD WWII GI Richard Conte returns to his Northern California home and, after learning that his trucker father was permanently crippled by vicious racketeer Lee J. Cobb, signs on as a driver with Cobb's outfit so he can seek revenge. Director Jules Dassin's gritty crime drama also stars Valentina Cortesa, Barbara Lawrence, Jack Oakie. AKA: "Collision," "The Thieves' Market." 94 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; interview; theatrical trailers; essay. Whirlpool [DVD](1949) DVD Director Otto Preminger's mix of psychological suspense and film noir atmosphere stars Gene Tierney as a compulsive kleptomaniac married to noted psychoanalyst Richard Conte. Caught stealing a brooch from a department store, Tierney is freed thanks to the efforts of hypnotist Jose Ferrer, who says he can cure her of her condition...but is actually scheming to use Tierney in a bizarre murder scheme. 97 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailer. Great Boxing Movies [DVD] DVD Includes "The Joe Louis Story," "The Fighter" and "Fight for the Title." The Fighter(1952) VHS Based on a story by Jack London, this gritty drama stars Richard Conte as an adventurer who heads to El Paso, where he's joining his partners to overthrow a tyrannical Mexican leader. Flashbacks reveal why Conte has such ill will towards the leader and how his efforts in a grueling boxing match helped get funding for his cause. With Lee J. Cobb, Frank Silvera, Vanessa Brown; photographed by James Wong Howe. 78 min. The Blue Gardenia [DVD](1953) DVD A blind date leads to murder in this classic noir suspenser from director Fritz Lang. Anne Baxter wakes from a hangover to discover that playboy Raymond Burr, with whom she went out the night before, was found slain in his apartment and she is the mysterious "Blue Gardenia" sought by police. Baxter desperately turns to newspaper columnist Richard Conte for help in learning if she is in fact the killer. With Ann Sothern and Nat King Cole, who sings the title song. 88 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. The Blue Gardenia(1953) VHS A blind date leads to murder in this classic noir suspenser from director Fritz Lang. Anne Baxter wakes from a hangover to discover that playboy Raymond Burr, with whom she went out the night before, was found slain in his apartment and she is the mysterious "Blue Gardenia" sought by police. Baxter desperately turns to newspaper columnist Richard Conte for help in learning if she is in fact the killer. With Ann Sothern and Nat King Cole, who sings the title song. 90 min. The Big Combo [DVD](1955) DVD Downbeat "noir" thriller whose violence raised a few eyebrows upon the film's release. Cornel Wilde plays a dedicated cop out to bring down crime boss Richard Conte who gets involved with icy blonde Jean Wallace, Conte's mistress. With Brian Donlevy, Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman. 84 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions. They Came To Cordura [DVD](1959) DVD Tough frontier drama that looks at the nature of heroism stars Gary Cooper as a soldier accused of cowardice in 1916, charged with finding five Medal of Honor candidates and bringing them to a military outpost. With Rita Hayworth, Van Heflin, Tab Hunter. 123 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, Japanese. Ocean's Eleven [DVD](1960) DVD "Something's up...could be a heist!" The "Rat Pack"--Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, Joey Bishop--swings in the original caper comedy about a group of old Army buddies who plan to rip off five Vegas casinos in one night, faster than you can say, "Bingo, Dingo!" Look for cameos by Red Skelton, George Raft, Shirley MacLaine and others. 127 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby mono, French mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary by Frank Sinatra, Jr. and Angie Dickinson; archival photos and footage; biographies; theatrical trailers; scene access. The Greatest Story Ever Told [DVD](1965) DVD Magnificent account of the Gospel story, filled with majestic settings and a cast list that reads like a "Who's Who" of film. Max Von Sydow essays the role of Jesus; Jose Ferrer, Charlton Heston, David McCallum, Dorothy McGuire, Sidney Poitier, Telly Savalas and John Wayne also appear. George Stevens directs. 199 min. on two discs. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English 5.1, French, Spanish; Subtitles: Spanish, French; "making of" featurette; deleted scene; interviews; photo gallery; theatrical trailer; scene access. Tony Rome [DVD](1967) DVD Frank Sinatra's ultra-cool, Miami-based private investigator gets mixed up with murder, mayhem, stolen diamonds and a beautiful, troubled young girl in this slick detective yarn. With Jill St. John, Sue Lyon, Richard Conte and Gena Rowlands. 110 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; theatrical trailer. Lady In Cement [DVD](1968) DVD Wise-guy private eye Tony Rome (Frank Sinatra) is back in this intriguing mystery. The trail to catch the murderer of a woman found on the ocean floor leads Rome into a world of high-priced double-crosses, killings-for-hire and the rackets game. With Raquel Welch, Richard Conte, Lainie Kazan and Dan Blocker. 93 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; theatrical trailer; TV spot. The Godfather DVD Collection [DVD] DVD The perfect gift for members of your "family," this deluxe five-disc boxed set features Francis Ford Coppola's acclaimed trilogy--"The Godfather" (1972), "The Godfather, Part II" (1974) and "The Godfather, Part III" (1990)--plus over three hours of bonus materials. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary by Coppola; "making of" documentary; additional scenes; cast rehearsals; featurette; storyboards; Corleone family tree; historical timeline; more. The Godfather [DVD](1972) DVD Mario Puzo's brutal novel of Mafia life was brilliantly brought to the screen by director Francis Ford Coppola in this landmark drama that redefined the gangster film genre and earned Academy Awards for Best Picture, Screenplay and an (unaccepted) Best Actor Oscar for Marlon Brando as aging mob boss Don Vito Corleone. James Caan, John Cazale, Al Pacino, and Robert Duvall co-star as Corleone's sons, who try to keep the family "business" going in the midst of a mob war; with Diane Keaton, Talia Shire. 175 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary by Coppola. 1931: Once Upon A Time In New York [DVD](1972) DVD Shoot-'em-up crime drama set in the excitement- and danger-filled world of Prohibition-era America, as a plan to recover a fortune hidden inside a dead mobster's corpse leads to all-out gang war. Irene Papas, Richard Conte and Rony Anthony (who co-scripted) star. AKA: "Pete, Pearl and the Pole." 90 min. Soundtrack: English. Secrets Of A Call Girl [DVD](1973) DVD Edwige Fenech stars as a beautiful young girl who becomes fascinated with the exciting life led by an international gangster. Agreeing to move to Milan with him, Fenech soon finds herself working as a high-priced prostitute who helps pull cons on her well-to-do clients. But when she learns she's pregnant and decides to get back on the straight and narrow, can Fenech outrun her seedy past and her sleazy boyfriend? Italian exploitation classic also stars Richard Conte, Corrado Pani, John Richardson. AKA: "Anna: The Pleasure, The Torment." 95 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: Italian Dolby Digital mono, English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; featurette; photo gallery; poster gallery; theatrical trailer. Diary Of An Erotic Murderess [DVD](1974) DVD A wealthy man hires a beautiful governess to care for his demented son and soon becomes smitten with his new domestic help. But she's more interested in the father's money, and thinks she can get her hands on it with help from a diary kept by his late, homicidal wife. Atmospheric European sex thriller stars Richard Conte, Marisa Mell. AKA: "La Encadenada." 86 min. Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
filmography
Violent Rome (1975) The Return of the Exorcist (1975) Diary of an Erotic Murderess (1974) with Marisa Mell Secrets of a Call Girl (1974) Evil Eye (1974) with Jorge Rivero Shoot First, Die Later (1974) The Boss (1973) with Henry Silva The Big Family (1973) No Way Out (1973) with Alain Delon, Rosalba Neri, and Erika Blanc Violent Professionals (1973) My Brother Anastasia (1973) Pete, Pearl and the Pole (1972) with Adolfo Celi, Irene Papas, Lionel Stander, and Raf Baldassarre The Godfather (1972) with Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, and Diane Keaton The Challengers (1970) with Darren McGavin, Anne Baxter, Farley Granger, Juliet Mills, Sal Mineo, and Susan Clark Operation Cross Eagles (1969) with Rory Calhoun; directed by Richard Conte Explosion (1969) with Don Stroud Lady in Cement (1968) with Frank Sinatra, Raquel Welch, Martin Gabel, and Lainie Kazan Death Sentence (1968) with Adolfo Celi Tony Rome (1967) with Frank Sinatra, Jill St. John, Gena Rowlands, and Lloyd Bochner Hotel (1967) with Rod Taylor, Karl Malden, Melvyn Douglas, Merle Oberon, Michael Rennie, and Kevin McCarthy Assault on a Queen (1966) with Frank Sinatra, Virna Lisi, and Anthony Franciosa Stay Tuned for Terror (1965) Synanon (1965) with Edmond O'Brien, Chuck Connors, Stella Stevens, Alex Cord, Eartha Kitt, Barbara Luna, and Alejandro Rey The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) with Max von Sydow, Carroll Baker, Victor Buono, José Ferrer, Van Heflin, and Charlton Heston Circus World (1964) with John Wayne, Claudia Cardinale, Rita Hayworth, Lloyd Nolan, and John Smith The Eyes of Annie Jones (1964) Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? (1963) with Dean Martin, Elizabeth Montgomery, Martin Balsam, Carol Burnett, Allison Hayes, and Jill St. John Ocean's Eleven (1960) with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, Angie Dickinson, and Cesar Romero They Came to Cordura (1959) with Gary Cooper, Rita Hayworth, Van Heflin, Tab Hunter, Michael Callan, and Dick York This Angry Age (1958) with Anthony Perkins and Jo Van Fleet The Brothers Rico (1957) with Dianne Foster, Kathryn Grant, and James Darren Full of Life (1957) with Judy Holliday I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955) with Susan Hayward, Eddie Albert, Jo Van Fleet, Ray Danton, Margo, and Virginia Gregg Target Zero (1955) with Peggie Castle and Chuck Connors Bengazi (1955) with Victor McLaglen, Richard Carlson, Mala Powers, and Hillary Brooke Little Red Monkey (1955) The Big Tip Off (1955) with Bruce Bennett and Cathy Downs New York Confidential (1955) with Broderick Crawford, Marilyn Maxwell, Anne Bancroft, and J. Carrol Naish The Big Combo (1955) with Cornel Wilde, Brian Donlevy, Jean Wallace, Lee Van Cleef, Earl Holliman, John Hoyt, and Whit Bissell Mask of Dust (1954) Highway Dragnet (1954) with Joan Bennett, Wanda Hendrix, Reed Hadley, and Mary Beth Hughes Slaves of Babylon (1953) with Michael Ansara, Linda Christian, and Julie Newmar; directed by William Castle Desert Legion (1953) with Alan Ladd, Arlene Dahl, and Akim Tamiroff The Blue Gardenia (1953) with Anne Baxter, Ann Sothern, Raymond Burr, Jeff Donnell, and George Reeves The Raiders (1952) with Viveca Lindfors, Barbara Britton, Hugh O'Brian, Gregg Palmer, William Reynolds, Morris Ankrum, Dennis Weaver, and Margaret Field The Fighter (1952) with Lee J. Cobb The Raging Tide (1951) with Shelley Winters, Stephen McNally, Charles Bickford, and Alex Nicol Hollywood Story (1951) with Julie Adams, Richard Egan, Fred Clark, Jim Backus, and Francis X. Bushman; directed by William Castle Under the Gun (1951) with Audrey Totter and Sam Jaffe The Sleeping City (1950) with Coleen Gray, Peggy Dow, and Alex Nicol Whirlpool (1949) with Gene Tierney, José Ferrer, and Charles Bickford Thieves' Highway (1949) with Lee J. Cobb and Jack Oakie House of Strangers (1949) with Edward G. Robinson, Susan Hayward, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., and Debra Paget Big Jack (1949) with Wallace Beery, Marjorie Main, and Edward Arnold Cry of the City (1948) with Victor Mature, Fred Clark, Shelley Winters, and Debra Paget Call Northside 777 (1948) with James Stewart and Lee J. Cobb The Other Love (1947) with Barbara Stanwyck, David Niven, Gilbert Roland, Lénore Aubert, and Natalie Schafer 13 Rue Madeleine (1947) with James Cagney, Annabella, Melville Cooper, and Sam Jaffe Somewhere in the Night (1946) with John Hodiak and Lloyd Nolan The Spider (1945) with Ann Savage A Walk in the Sun (1945) with Dana Andrews, John Ireland, Lloyd Bridges, Sterling Holloway, Huntz Hall, and Steve Brodie A Bell for Adano (1945) with Gene Tierney, John Hodiak, William Bendix, Glenn Langan, Reed Hadley, and Hugo Haas Captain Eddie (1945) with Fred MacMurray, Lynn Bari, Charles Bickford, Lloyd Nolan, and Spring Byington The Purple Heart (1944) with Dana Andrews and Farley Granger Guadalcanal Diary (1943) with Preston Foster, Lloyd Nolan, William Bendix, Anthony Quinn, Richard Jaeckel, Ralph Byrd, Lionel Stander, and Reed Hadley Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence (1939) with Jean Rogers, Glenn Ford, and Ward Bond
TELEVISION SERIES The Jean Arthur Show, 1966 CBS TV series. Conte portrayed Richie Wells The Four Just Men, 1959-1960 syndicated TV series. Conte portrayed Jeff Ryder
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