Roger Browne, R.I.P.

American actor Roger Browne died last month at the age of 94. He starred in a dozen or so PEPLUM movies before acting in Eurocult / Eurospy / Euro superhero movies. The first film I saw him in wasn't a PEPLUM but EMANUELLE IN AMERICA (1977), of all films. Anyway, when I eventually saw in PEPLUM movies, I was like, "Ah, that's him!" He has stated in an interview that he preferred doing Eurospy movies because PEPLUM movies were a lot of work. He was associated with director Michele Lupo, starring in 3 of his 'Slave' films. He started as extras in movies, like BARABBAS. He is in more movies but I haven't found him yet, including PONTIUS PILATE (1962).

Roger had a small role in BARABBAS (1961). I wrote in 2012 about his appearance in this movie even though he wasn't credited at IMDb back then. He has been added to the cast at IMDb since I posted this.

Roger, as Mars, and Annie Gorassini, as Venus, in VULCAN - SON OF JUPITER (1962). Roger's first big role. Below: with Iloosh Khoshabe, as Vulcan.

Roger in MARS - GOD OF WAR (1962). Roger played Mars twice, back to back, in two different productions. He's with Venus again, this time played by Jackie Lane. 

Roger was the main star of THE TEN GLADIATORS (1963), along with Dan Vadis and others in a crowded cast. The movie was a hit and two other movies were made but without him. Roger has two major fights in this movie. One is with Dan Vadis. And the other, below, with Mimmo Palmara. They are the highlights of the movie. Ultra brawny action!

 

Roger in SEVEN SLAVES AGAINST ROME (1963) with Pietro Marascalchi. Even more ultra brawny action! When he's not fighting and punching men, Roger was with Scilla Gabel (below).
 

 

Roger was still the lead in Michele Lupo's next 'Slave' movie: THE REVENGE OF THE GLADIATORS (1964) starring Gordon Mitchell, Scilla Gabel and others.

 

Roger was still the lead in the third and last 'Slave' movie directed by Lupo, SEVEN REBEL GLADIATORS (1965) starring Pietro Torrisi and Harold Bradley. Unlike the previous Lupo film, which was super serious, REBEL was an action comedy quasi slapstick.

Roger co-starred with Mimmo Palmara and Mario Novelli in the fun action adventure THREE SWORDS FOR ROME (1965). The three actually made a fun team. Unfortunately, by the time this movie was released the PEPLUM genre was dying a quick death so no sequels.

 

Roger's last role in a PEPLUM production was the TV pilot HERCULES AND THE PRINCESS OF TROY (1965).

Roger would also appear in SAMOA - QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE (1968) and KARZAN AND HIS MATE (1971), which can be perceived as falling under the PEPLUM umbrella.

In the 14 years I've been doing the blog, some people asked me how Roger was cast in PEPLUM movies, meaning they couldn't see him on the same level as Steve Reeves or Gordon Scott. Initially, he had a great physique but it became more ordinary as time went on. Just look at how big he appeared in BARABBAS. He was always up to the task. His brawny fights are all memorable. RIP.