Born Luigi Montagna in Italy, May 16, 1887, Bull Montana was a successful professional wrestler and actor, mostly in silent films. According to the IMDb Bull appeared in 84 movies beginning in 1917 and remaining quite active through 1929, with a handful of credits in talkies of the 1930’s as well.
Bull Montana featured on a 5.75" X 7.5" 1920's Galeria Cinematografica premium photo card from Cuba
If you Google “Bull Montana” most of the references you’ll find mention that he was a wrestler but concentrate more on his film career. A quick peek over at NewspaperARCHIVE.com reveals he was well covered by the press for his pro wrestling exploits. A couple of examples:
Oakland Tribune, November 5, 1921
Headline spread across top of page 15, Yokel Defeats Bull Montana in Sensational Contest
Yokel takes first fall, Bull takes the next; Mike slams Montana on floor for final
Portsmouth Daily Times, Feburary 19, 1930
Bull Montana to be Greeted by Huge Crowd
Capacity audience to see Hollywood celebrity perform on the mat tonight.
Includes a photo of Bull Montana in top hat and tails with French boxer Georges Carpentier. The article itself refers to Montana as a “Hollywood luminary,” who’s set to take on Pat McCarthy.
No less a source than TIME Magazine reported the following in their February 9, 1931 issue:
In Dallas, Lugia Montagna (Bull Montana), monster second-rate wrestler, famed because his ogreish face and huge frame have gotten him many cinema jobs, made one John Kilonis so angry in a wrestling match that Kilonis hit Montana with his fist. Montana defended himself, knocked Kilonis across the ring. Referee Cyclone Fox declared Montana winner on a foul. Kilonis took a swing at Cyclone Fox. Montana helped Fox. Spectators jumped into the ring to help Kilonis. More spectators jumped in to help Montana. Riot and pandemonium followed. No one was seriously hurt. Some of Montana’s pictures: Show of Shows; Good Morning, Judge; How to Handle Women.
TIME would cover Bull Montana once again just a few months later in the milestones section of the August 31, 1931 issue:
Divorced. Louis (“Bull”) Montana (real name: Lugia Montagna), 44, wrestler and cinemactor; by Mary Poulson Montana; in Los Angeles. Mr. Montana admits his face frightens women and children. Mrs. Montana said she was afraid to live with him.
Regarding Bull’s film career, we have this from the 1923 Blue Book of the Screen located over on Silent Ladies & Gents:
While training in a New York gymnasium a few years ago he was seen by Douglas Fairbanks, who prevailed upon him to go to Hollywood and appear in motion pictures. He has appeared in several Fairbanks’ starring pictures…
Bull Montana died in Los Angeles, January 24, 1950.
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