**Serge Spira** (b. 1942 – d. 2012) was a French actor primarily active in Italian genre cinema, becoming a recognizable face for fans of Italian thrillers (Giallo) and horror. His career was inextricably linked to the works of Dario Argento, who often cast him in supporting but highly impactful roles.

Among his most celebrated films are Giallo classics such as *The Bird with the Crystal Plumage* (1970), where he played the crucial witness and painter, *Deep Red* (1975), and *Tenebrae* (1982). Spira was distinguished by his unsettling presence and penetrating gaze, which made him ideal for portraying enigmatic characters, often mysterious victims or sinister figures that fueled the tense and macabre atmosphere typical of these genres. While never a leading man, his contribution left a significant mark on the imagination of Italian genre cinema.