Luc Merenda

Luc Charles Olivier Merenda (born 3 September 1943) is a French actor and former model, known as was one of the most prominent leading men of Italian poliziotteschi films during the 1970’s.

Early life Merenda was born in Nogent-le-Roi, a small town in the department of Eure-et-Loir, near Paris. His paternal grandfather was Italian. He was raised in Paris and Agadir, French Morocco, due to his parents' work. Throughout his teenage years, he was an avid savateur, motorcyclist, and skydiver.

He subsequently played similar, morally-gray cop characters in films like Shoot First, Die Later, Silent Action, Kidnap Syndicate, and Nick the Sting, directed by the likes of Martino and Fernando Di Leo. Other films he appeared in during this time included a nunsploitation film, The Nun and the Devil, and another giallo, Puzzle.

In 1980, Metenda played a leading role in Tinto Brass’ avant-garde comedy Action. However, with the downturn of poliziotteschi and the Italian film industry as a whole in the 1980’s, Merenda’s work became gradually more and more sporadic. In 1985, he returned to France to play one of the lead roles in the TV series Châteauvallon. The series was a great success, but it was not renewed after lead actress Chantal Nobel was the victim of a car accident. In 1986, Merenda appeared in the Italian comedy Superfantozzi, where he played several different characters . One of his last major roles was as General José Borjes in the period film 'O Re (1989). After this, he retired from acting, though he made a cameo appearance in the 2007 American horror film Hostel: Part II, playing an Italian detective in homage to his B-movie roles.

In 2022, nearly 15 years after his last role, Merenda made a surprise return to acting when he dubbed the voice of Vincent Martin for the Italian-language dub of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. He subsequently announced a return to film acting. He starred in the 2023 film Il paese del melodramma.

Personal life In 1979, Merenda married Italian journalist Germana Monteverdi, from whom he divorced ten years later. He later remarried, to Annie Minet.

Since retiring from acting, Merenda has worked as an antiquarian. Specializing in Asian art, he runs a store at Marché Biron in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine and a gallery in Thoiry, Yvelines.

Merenda is fluent in both French and Italian, and speaks conversational English.

Partial filmography

The Palace of Angels (1970) - Ricardo OSS 117 Takes a Vacation (1970) - Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, alias OSS 117 Les Assassins de l'ordre (1971) - Marco Le Mans (1971) - Claude Aurac Red Sun (1971) - Chato Man Called Amen (1972) - Così Sia / Amen D'amore si muore (1972) - Enzo Torso (1973) - Roberto The Nun and the Devil (1973) - Carafo The Violent Professionals (1973) - Giorgio Martini Mamma mia è arrivato così sia (1973) - Così Sia / Amen Oremus, Alleluia e Così Sia (1973) - Cosi' Sia / Amen The Off-Road Girl (1973) - Giorgio Martini Shoot First, Die Later (1974) - Domenico Malacarne Puzzle (1974) - Edward Gambling City (1975) - Luca Altieri Silent Action (1975) - Inspector Giorgio Solmi Kidnap Syndicate (1975) - Mario Colella Nick the Sting (1976) - Nick Hezard Evil Thoughts (1976) - Jean-Luc Retrosi The Last Round (1976) - Rico Manzetti Destruction Force (1977) - Commissario Ghini A Man Called Magnum (1977) - Commissario Dario Mauri Could It Happen Here? (1977) - Ferruccio Hotel Fear (1977) - Rodolfo Tough to Kill (1978) - Keaton Deadly Chase (1978) - Commissario Verrazzano Target (1979) - Martin Action (1980) - Bruno Martel Love in First Class (1980) - Il poliziotto Il ficcanaso (1980) - Paolo Honey (1981) - El hombre de la habitación (1981) - Maniaco (uncredited) Pover'ammore (1982) Occhio nero, occhio biondo e occhio felino (1983) Superfantozzi (1986) - Various Characters Missione eroica - I pompieri 2 (1987) - McFarland 'O Re (1988) - José Borjes Hostel: Part II (2007) - Italian Detective (2023) - Death Buio come il cuore (2024) - Andrea Conti

Television The Black Adder (1983) as The Witchsmeller (French dub) Nonni and Manni (1988–1989)