# Raz Degan

Raz Degan (born August 25, 1968) is a multifaceted artist, actor, director, cinematographer, and public figure, whose career spans feature films, documentary filmmaking, photography, and immersive storytelling. Recognized for his bold creative vision, he has worked with Academy Award-winning filmmakers such as Oliver Stone and Ermanno Olmi, bringing historical and deeply introspective roles to life. His documentary films, including ‘’The Last Shaman’’, executive-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, explore human resilience, spiritual awakening, and indigenous cultures, while his artistic photography has been exhibited internationally.
A prominent figure in Italian cinema and television, Degan has chosen a life away from the glam and glitter, deliberately stepping beyond the industry’s traditional pathways to explore real, untamed human experiences. His work blends artistic vision with raw, documentary-style storytelling, making him one of the few in the industry who lives the stories he tells.
Beyond entertainment, Degan is an adventurer, explorer, and humanitarian, having traveled to over 120 countries. He has lived among Amazonian tribes, trekked the Silk Road on foot, crossed the Afghan and Pakistani highlands, and documented vanishing cultures. His work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and environmental organizations reflects his commitment to conservation and indigenous rights.
In 2017, he won ‘’L’Isola dei Famosi’’ (Italy’s version of ‘‘Survivor’’), proving his resilience, survival instincts, and self-sufficiency, reinforcing his reputation as a storyteller who truly lives the stories he tells.
Career
Acting & Filmmaking
Degan began his acting career in the mid-1990s and quickly established himself as a versatile performer in international cinema. His film debut was a cameo in Robert Altman’s ‘’Prêt-à-Porter’’ (1994), which led to a series of roles in Italian and international productions.
In 2004, he portrayed Darius III of Persia in Oliver Stone’s historical epic ‘’Alexander’’, sharing the screen with Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, and Anthony Hopkins. His performances in art-house European films, such as Ermanno Olmi’s ‘’One Hundred Nails’’ (2007) and the medieval war drama ‘’Barbarossa’’ (2009), positioned him as a serious, transformative actor.
Degan’s interest in authentic storytelling led him into documentary filmmaking and cinematography. In 2016, he directed ‘’The Last Shaman’’, an intimate look at Amazonian shamanic healing and mental health, executive-produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film received critical acclaim for its raw, immersive approach to exploring ancient healing traditions.
Photography & Art
A lifelong photographer, Degan’s work focuses on vanishing cultures, human resilience, and the intersection between nature and identity. His photography has been published in leading international magazines and showcased in exhibitions across Milan, Bali, New York, and Tel Aviv. His solo exhibition “Ancient Light”, held in multiple locations, presented his visual anthropology of remote civilizations.
Television & Reality Survival
Degan has merged his adventurous spirit with television storytelling, bringing his real-life experiences into mainstream media: • 2010–2011: Hosted ‘‘Mistero’’, a documentary series investigating ancient civilizations, unsolved mysteries, and the unexplained. • 2017: Won ‘’L’Isola dei Famosi’’ (Italy’s version of ‘‘Survivor’’) with an overwhelming 89% of the public vote, proving his survival skills and adaptability in extreme conditions. • 2018: Created, directed, and hosted ‘’Raz & The Tribe’’, a docu-reality series on Sky Atlantic, where he and guests—such as Luca Argentero, Asia Argento, and Piero Pelù—lived among remote indigenous cultures in Ethiopia, Sumatra, and New Guinea. • 2025: Cast in ‘‘Un passo dal cielo 8’’, playing Stephan Anderson, further expanding his presence in Italian television and drama.
Humanitarian Work & Exploration
Degan has used his platform to advocate for environmental conservation, indigenous rights, and displaced communities. He has collaborated with UNHCR and various environmental NGOs, using his films and photography to bring awareness to fragile ecosystems and cultures on the brink of extinction. ---

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1996 | Sorellina e il principe del sogno | Demian | Miniseries |
| 1998 | Le ragazze di Piazza di Spagna | Forti di San Sebastiano | Miniseries |
| 2005 | Camera Café | Raz | Episode: "Regalo per Patti" |
| 2010 | Ballando con le Stelle | Contestant | Dance talent show (Season 6) |
| 2010–2011 | Mistero | Host, Producer | Documentary series (Seasons 3–4) |
| 2017 | L'Isola dei Famosi | Contestant | **Winner (Season 12)** |
| 2018 | Raz & The Tribe | Host, Director, Writer | **Docu-reality series on Sky Atlantic (4 episodes)** |
| 2019 | Linea Bianca | Guest | Italian travel & nature program focused on sustainability |
| 2020 | Freedom - Oltre il Confine | Guest Contributor | Documentary series exploring historical and scientific mysteries |
| 2021 | Le indagini di Lolita Lobosco | Benallal Matou | Episode: "Spaghetti all'assassina" |
| 2022 | Cortesie per gli ospiti | Guest | Reality cooking and home hosting show |
| 2025 | Un passo dal cielo 8 | **Stephan Anderson** | Upcoming season |
| Various | Maurizio Costanzo Show | **Frequent guest**, discussing his career, personal life, and philosophy |
| Various | Domenica In | **Multiple appearances**, sharing stories and career insights |
| Various | Verissimo | Interviewed by **Silvia Toffanin** on Canale 5 |
| Various | Buona Domenica | Appeared in **entertainment segments, interviews, and live performances** |
| Various | Porta a Porta | Discussed his **acting career and environmental advocacy** |
| Various | Che tempo che fa | Featured as a guest in discussions on **film, adventure, and spirituality** |
| Various | Matrix | Spoke about **his work in documentaries and international cinema** |
| Various | Gambero Rosso Channel | Shared his **passion for cooking, food culture, and travel** |
| Various | Linea Verde | Discussed **sustainable living, organic farming, and conservation efforts** |
| Various | Geo & Geo | Featured on **nature and environmental preservation topics** |
| Various | Alle falde del Kilimangiaro | Shared **stories from his worldwide travels and explorations** |
| Various | Tiki Taka | Discussed **adventure, extreme sports, and cinema** |
| Various | Striscia la Notizia | Special guest, covering **investigative and social issues** |
| Various | Ballando con le Stelle – Special | Guest judge and former contestant appearance |
| Various | L’Isola dei Famosi – Special | Featured in **post-season interviews and special episodes** |
| Various | Telegatto Awards | **Multiple-time guest and nominee** at Italy’s television awards |
| Various | David di Donatello Awards | **Attendee** at Italy’s most prestigious film awards |
| Various | Festival di Sanremo | **Guest appearance** on Italy’s premier music festival |
| Various | Miss Italia | Guest appearance as **a judge and presenter** |
| Various | Guinness World Records | **Participated in record-breaking challenges** |
| Various | E poi c'è Cattelan | Interviewed about **his career, travel experiences, and film projects** |
| Various | L’intervista con Maurizio Costanzo | One-on-one in-depth interview about **his life and philosophy** |
| Various | Le Iene | Special guest in investigative segments and entertainment episodes |
| Various | Pechino Express – Special | Guest in **episodes of the adventure reality show** |
| Various | Festival del Cinema di Venezia | **Red carpet appearances and industry interviews** |
| Various | Sky Arte – Special | Featured in discussions on **documentary filmmaking and artistic expression** |