\u201cLeon was a special and lovely man driven by his curiosity, who spread love and warmth wherever he went,\u201d his family said in a statement.<\/p>\n
They continued: \u201cHe will be remembered with love and be hugely missed by the many people he touched.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vitali is perhaps most well-known for his role in Kubrick\u2019s 1975 film Barry Lyndon, in which he played the title character\u2019s stepson, Lord Bullingdon.<\/p>\n
After production on Barry Lyndon wrapped, Vitali decided to switch his career path and become the director\u2019s personal assistant.<\/p>\n
The duo worked together on 1980\u2019s The Shining, 1987\u2019s Full Metal Jacket and 1999\u2019s Eyes Wide Shut.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2022\/08\/Vitali--19d8b0c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>In 2017, Tony Zierra\u2019s documentary Filmworker detailed Vitali\u2019s career path from actor to his role as Kubrick\u2019s personal assistant and shed light on his massive and largely unsung contributions.<\/p>\n
The film, which featured unseen photos, videos and memos of the duo, was nominated for the L\u2019\u0152il d\u2019or at Cannes Film Festival.<\/p>\n
Full Metal Jacket actor Matthew Modine took to Twitter<\/a> to pay tribute to Vitali following the tragic news of his passing.<\/p>\n There are people we meet who have a profound impact upon our lives. Leon Vitali was one such person in mine.