A constant, steadying presence in some of the 1990s' most explosive cinematic moments, actor and model Anthony Guidera died on June 6, 2026, at the age of 61. Best known for his role as the bodyguard Anthony in The Godfather Part III and his award-winning turn in Species, Guidera passed away at his home in Los Angeles.

Born on October 18, 1964, in San Francisco, California, as recorded by Memory Alpha, Guidera was a product of the West Coast who found his artistic voice in Europe. After completing college in California in 1983, he encountered an agent who offered him what he described as a "one way ticket to Paris France." He accepted the offer and moved to the French capital, where he lived and traveled extensively until 1992. This period served as his formative artistic awakening. While working as a model, he immersed himself in the study of theater under Robert Cordier at the Theatre Marie Stuart. He performed plays in both French and English in the intimate, 120 seat theater located in the 2nd arrondissement. As noted in his IMDb biography, he spent these years traveling between New York and Paris, constantly refining his performance style in two languages.

His transition from the stage to major motion pictures was marked by his casting in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part III in 1990. Playing the bodyguard Anthony, Guidera brought a quiet, physically imposing gravity to the screen that became his professional hallmark. This breakthrough led to his most famous role in the 1995 science fiction thriller Species. His performance opposite Natasha Henstridge culminated in an onscreen moment that won the 1996 MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss, a highlight of his career documented by The Independent.

The mid to late 1990s represented a high-energy peak for Guidera, as he became a sought-after presence for directors of large-scale spectacles. He worked with Michael Bay on the 1996 action film The Rock and the 1998 blockbuster Armageddon. His filmography during this decade also included Kevin Costner’s The Postman in 1997 and the 1999 production Annihilation of Fish. On television, he maintained a steady presence with guest roles in popular series such as ER, Renegade, Hope & Gloria, and Valley of the Dolls. He also made a memorable appearance in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine series, further cementing his status as a versatile character actor.

Despite the intensity of his Hollywood career, Guidera cultivated a deeply introspective personal life. Between his film and television assignments, he operated an office in Los Angeles where he taught meditation and breathing techniques. This practice provided a spiritual foundation that contrasted with his tough guy screen persona. His final onscreen film performance occurred in the 2005 comedy L.A. Dicks, after which he focused more on his family and his teaching. He was married to Valarie Anderson for 20 years, a partnership that anchored his later life. Following a medical emergency in May 2026, he was eventually returned to his home to spend his final days in peace. His wife, Valarie, shared the family's heartbreak, stating, "We are devastated and trying to breathe through the impossible, taking each moment as it comes."

Guidera's legacy is defined by the duality of his nature. He was an artist who could navigate the high-stakes world of Francis Ford Coppola and Michael Bay while remaining committed to the quiet, internal work of meditation. He leaves behind a body of work that spans from the intimate theaters of Paris to the largest screens in the world, always maintaining the steady presence that first brought him to the public's attention. He is survived by his wife, Valarie, and their son, Nick.