Mark Forest

Mark Forest (1931–Present, United States) Mark Forest, born Kurt Polnitz, was an American actor and bodybuilder who rose to prominence in Italian cinema during the 1960s peplum genre. He is best known for his role as the strongman Maciste in films such as *Maciste in King Solomon’s Mines* (1964) and *Maciste, Gladiator of Sparta* (1964), showcasing his physique in adventure and mythological stories. His work exemplified the era’s sword-and-sandal epics, contributing to the international appeal of Italian B-movies before transitioning to other pursuits.