Paolo Bonacelli dead: Mission Impossible star dies as tributes flood in

Legendary Italian actor Paolo Bonacelli died on Wednesday October 8 at the age of 88 in the San Filippo Neri Hospital in Rome. No cause of death has yet been released. The star enjoyed a more than six-decade career in which he starred in over 120 films and was working until the end, with his most recent film, In the Hand of Dante, released earlier this year. His CV included high profile roles in iconic Hollywood films such as Midnight Express, Mission: Impossible III and The American.

Tributes flooded in from heartbroken fans as they learned the news. "We'll always think of you when we're in the car in Palermo and say 'TRAFFICOOO' and then immediately after 33 33 33, not because you were just those two lines but because we'll always remember you. I remember him well as a great actor in Midnight Express, RIP," one wrote on Facebook.

"Few remember him in Rifky's masterful performance in Midnight Express. Rest in peace, you were great," a second penned.

"Nooooo. Famous for his role as Uncle in Jonny Stecchino, but actually an extraordinary actor in many films like Midnight Express or less demanding ones like I Hope I Can Handle It by Lina Wertmüller," a third shared.

"A great actor, Leonardo da Vinci in Nothing Left to Do but Cry. It's a shame that all the older ones are slowly passing away, it's natural. R.I.P." a fourth lamented.

A fifth added: "I saw him again recently in "Christ Stopped at Eboli" by F. Rosi. A wonderful actor, he will be missed by our cinema."

Meanwhile a sixth opined: "I 'hated' him in the role of Rifki in Midnight Express and loved him in Johnny Stecchino, which I saw because I was a fan of Benigni, but I'm seeing him again for his extraordinary acting; he's essentially a great actor."

The star graduated from the National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome before making his stage debut in Vittorio Gassman's Questa sera si recita a soggetto.

He began his film career in 1964 in Corpse for the Lady. In 1985, he won huge acclaim playing Leonardo da Vinci in fantasy comedy film Non ci resta che piangere.

In 2003, he appeared opposite Tom Cruise, playing Monsignore in Mission: Impossible III. He worked with acclaimed directors such as Alan Parker, Roberto Rossellini and Liliana Cavani.