Bull Montana

Lewis Montagna, widely recognized as Bull Montana, was an Italian-American professional wrestler and actor born on May 16, 1887, in Voghera, Italy. He immigrated to the United States as a young child, where he eventually adopted the wrestling persona of Bull Montana.

Montana made his film debut in 1917, primarily appearing in productions featuring his friend Douglas Fairbanks. His notable role came in 1919 when he portrayed a menacing antagonist in Maurice Tourneur’s acclaimed film, *Victory*, alongside the legendary Lon Chaney. Throughout his career, Montana was known for his connections in the entertainment industry, including a friendship with boxer and wrestler Abe "The Newsboy" Hollandersky, who once claimed that Montana offered to support his autobiography.

In the early 1920s, Montana frequently participated in wrestling matches with heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, entertaining crowds before Dempsey's major bouts. His film career was marked by roles as a tough guy, often cast as a henchman or an almost inhuman character, as seen in the 1925 film *The Lost World*, where he played a primitive cave dweller opposite Wallace Beery.

Montana also showcased his comedic talents in a series of two-reel comedies that spoofed various themes, including *Rob 'Em Good* and *The Two Twins*. He appeared in two Buster Keaton films, notably as a wrestler in *Palooka from Paducah*, and continued to secure character roles into the 1940s, including a role in the 1936 *Flash Gordon* series. Despite his tough on-screen presence, those who knew him often described Bull Montana as gentle and kind-hearted. He passed away on January 24, 1950.