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Claudio Gora was a highly regarded, versatile Italian theatrical and film actor who also occasionally directed features. As a thespian, Gora reached the pinnacle of his popularity during Italy's so-called "Golden Age" of cinema during the '50s and '60s. Gora (born Emilio Giordana in Genoa) made his film debut with Trappola d'amore (1939), two years after he first appeared on stage. Quite handsome in youth, Gora spent the WWII years playing romantic leads in such dramas as Luigi Zamkpa's Signoirinette and often worked opposite some of his country's most alluring actresses. In 1950, Gora made his directorial debut with a neorealist drama, The Sky is Red. He subsequently helmed nine more films in a variety of genres ranging from comedies to violent westerns. His most famous film was Febbre di Vivere (1953) starring Marcello Mastroianni. During the '60s, Gora revitalized his acting career after he perfected his "middle-class Italian cynic" character. He played versions of the unscrupulous fellow in such films as Pietro Germi's The Facts of Murder (1960) and Il Medico della Mutua (1968). As an actor, Gora appeared in 130 films. He played his last role in Vacanze di Natali '91/Christmas Vacation '91 (1991). In addition to his eventful film career, Gora also had a busy career on stage and television.