But few film buffs realize that Kirk Douglas was not the first actor to wear the gladiator’s sandals. Before the iconic production began, another man was cast in the lead role. Tragically, his life—and his portrayal of the Thracian rebel—ended before a single frame of the finished film was shot. Before the legendary production troubles, fights between Kubrick and Douglas, and the blacklisting of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, the original choice for Spartacus was a young, relatively unknown actor named Anthony “Tony” de Santis .
De Santis’ death was quietly explained away as a “sudden illness” in early press releases. For decades, his contribution to Spartacus was almost entirely erased. It wasn’t until the 1990s, when film historians dug through studio archives, that the true story emerged. It is painful to think of an artist giving their life to a role that was literally scrubbed from history. Anthony de Santis was a working actor and stunt performer trying to make his big break. He died doing what we love to watch—bringing ancient history to violent, thrilling life. spartacus first thracian actor death during production
When we think of Spartacus , the 1960 epic directed by Stanley Kubrick, one face usually comes to mind: Kirk Douglas, with his chiseled jaw and defiant cry of “I am Spartacus!” But few film buffs realize that Kirk Douglas