Advanced search

Anthony Quinn was born Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca (some sources indicate Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca) on April 21, 1915, in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Manuela (Oaxaca) and Francisco Quinn, who became an assistant cameraman at a Los Angeles (CA) film studio. His paternal grandfather was Irish, and the rest of his family was Mexican.

After starting life in extremely modest circumstances in Mexico, his family moved to Los Angeles, where he grew up in the Boyle Heights and Echo Park neighborhoods. He played in the band of evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson as a youth and as a deputy preacher. He attended Polytechnic High School and later Belmont High, but eventually dropped out. The young Quinn boxed (which stood him in good stead as a stage actor, when he played Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" to rave reviews in Chicago), then later studied architecture under Frank Lloyd Wright at the great architect's studio, Taliesin, in Arizona. Quinn was close to Wright, who encouraged him when he decided to give acting a try. Made his credited film debut in Parole! (1936). After a brief apprenticeship on stage, Quinn hit Hollywood in 1936 and picked up a variety of small roles in several films at Paramount, including an Indian warrior in The Plainsman (1936), which was directed by the man who later became his father-in-law, Cecil B. DeMille.

As a contract player at Paramount, Quinn's roles were mainly ethnic types, such as an Arab chieftain in the Bing Crosby-Bob Hope comedy, Road to Morocco (1942). As a Mexican national (he did not become an American citizen until 1947), he was exempt from the draft. With many other actors in military service during WWII, he was able to move up into better supporting roles. He married DeMille's daughter Katherine DeMille, which afforded him entrance to the top circles of Hollywood society. He became disenchanted with his career and did not renew his Paramount contract despite the advice of others, including his father-in-law, with whom he did not get along (whom Quinn reportedly felt had never accepted him due to his Mexican roots; the two men were also on opposite ends of the political spectrum) but they eventually were able to develop a civil relationship. Quinn returned to the stage to hone his craft. His portrayal of Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire" in Chicago and on Broadway (where he replaced the legendary Marlon Brando, who is forever associated with the role) made his reputation and boosted his film career when he returned to the movies.

Brando and Elia Kazan, who directed "Streetcar" on Broadway and on film (A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)), were crucial to Quinn's future success. Kazan, knowing the two were potential rivals due to their acclaimed portrayals of Kowalski, cast Quinn as Brando's brother in his biographical film of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, Viva Zapata! (1952). Quinn won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for 1952, making him the first Mexican-American to win an Oscar. It was not to be his lone appearance in the winner's circle: he won his second Supporting Actor Oscar in 1957 for his portrayal of Paul Gauguin in Vincente Minnelli's biographical film of Vincent van Gogh, Lust for Life (1956), opposite Kirk Douglas. Over the next decade Quinn lived in Italy and became a major figure in world cinema, as many studios shot films in Italy to take advantage of the lower costs ("runaway production" had battered the industry since its beginnings in the New York/New Jersey area in the 1910s). He appeared in several Italian films, giving one of his greatest performances as the circus strongman who brutalizes the sweet soul played by Giulietta Masina in her husband Federico Fellini's masterpiece La Strada (1954). He met his second wife, Jolanda Addolori, a wardrobe assistant, while he was in Rome filming Barabbas (1961).

Alternating between Europe and Hollywood, Quinn built his reputation and entered the front rank of character actors and character leads. He received his third Oscar nomination (and first for Best Actor) for George Cukor's Wild Is the Wind (1957). He played a Greek resistance fighter against the Nazi occupation in the monster hit The Guns of Navarone (1961) and received kudos for his portrayal of a once-great boxer on his way down in Rod Serling's Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962). He went back to playing ethnic roles, such as an Arab warlord in David Lean's masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and he played the eponymous lead in the "sword-and-sandal" blockbuster Barabbas (1961). Two years later, he reached the zenith of his career, playing Zorba the Greek in the film of the same name (a.k.a. Zorba the Greek (1964)), which brought him his fourth, and last, Oscar nomination as Best Actor. The 1960s were kind to him: he played character leads in such major films as The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) and The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1969). However, his appearance in the title role in the film adaptation of John Fowles' novel, The Magus (1968), did nothing to save the film, which was one of that decade's notorious turkeys.

In the 1960s, Quinn told Life magazine that he would fight against typecasting. Unfortunately, the following decade saw him slip back into playing ethnic types again, in such critical bombs as The Greek Tycoon (1978). He starred as the Hispanic mayor of a southwestern city on the short-lived television series The Man and the City (1971), but his career lost its momentum during the 1970s. Aside from playing a thinly disguised Aristotle Onassis in the cinematic roman-a-clef The Greek Tycoon (1978), his other major roles of the decade were as Hamza in the controversial The Message (1976) (a.k.a. "Mohammad, Messenger of God"); as the Italian patriarch in The Inheritance (1976); yet another Arab in Caravans (1978); and as a Mexican patriarch in The Children of Sanchez (1978). In 1983, he reprised his most famous role, Zorba the Greek, on Broadway in the revival of the musical "Zorba" for 362 performances (opposite Lila Kedrova, who had also appeared in the film, and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance). His career slowed during the 1990s but he continued to work steadily in films and television, including an appearance with frequent film co-star Maureen O'Hara in Only the Lonely (1991).

Quinn lived out the latter years of his life in Bristol, Rhode Island, where he spent most of his time painting and sculpting. Beginning in 1982, he held numerous major exhibitions in cities such as Vienna, Paris, and Seoul. He died in a hospital in Boston at age 86 from pneumonia and respiratory failure linked to his battle with throat cancer.

Luis Antonio Damaso de Alonso, later known as Gilbert Roland, was born in 1905 in Mexico. Following his parents to the USA, he did not become the bullfighter he had dreamed of being but became an actor instead. His Mexican roots, his half macho half romantic ways, his handsome virile figure helped him land roles in movies from the early twenties to 1982. A long and varied career in which Roland was in turns an extra, a matinée idol (Armand Duval in Camille (1926)), a Latin Lover, a star of English-speaking films made in Hollywood in the early 1930s, a Mexican bandit in B-Movies, The Cisco Kid in a series of six popular Westerns, a brilliant character in major A movies (John Huston's We Were Strangers (1949), Vincente Minnelli's The Bad and the Beautiful (1952); Anthony Mann's Thunder Bay (1953), John Ford's Cheyenne Autumn (1964)), a sinister character in Spaghetti Westerns... When he retired in 1982, twelve years before he died, he could be satisfied. His career had spanned six decades, the coming of sound had not ended it, he had played in all kinds of movies, he had held the most beautiful women in his arms, and maybe the most important thing, he had been given the opportunity to show his acting talents. Not every actor can boast such a life achievement.

Klinton Spilbury was born in Chihuahua in Mexico.

After his only feature film, "The Legend of the Lone Ranger" in 1981, he travelled around Europe, and also did some modelling.

Amazingly, considering that he is only known for the one film, he coached acting at the Herpolscheimer Academy in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

A talented and electrifying actor distinguished by his comedic skills, versatility and personality, Omar Chaparro is a magnate in the world of entertainment in Mexico and the US, his 30 million followers on social media attest to his personable like-ability on screen.

In 2018, he was awarded "The Tree of Life", an award given by the International Film Festival of Guadalajara in Los Angeles CA for outstanding achievements in film and contribution to the LatinAmerican film and television in the United States and recently won the People's Favorite Actor for the Canacine Awards.

Omar is a benchmark of constancy and success in the world in the seventh art, three of his films are in the top 10 of the highest grossing films in the history of cinema in Mexico

His breakout roles in the American screen include Michael Berry's film "Stuck" which has won awards in festivals like Breckenridge Festival of Film and Napa Valley Film Festival.

He is a part of a new wave of Latinos changing the landscape of Hollywood today. Omar appeared in Detective Pikachu, sharing credits with Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith, he also demonstrated his martial arts skills in movies like "Blackout" alongside Josh Duhamel and Nick Nolte, as well in "compadres" with Eric Roberts and Kevin Pollak.

As a comedian and singer too, Omar sold out over 50 cities in the US with his show "Imparables", including The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

He currently lives in Los Angeles where he is preparing to continue surprising us because, as he himself says, I am just getting started.

Mexican character actor Rodolfo Acosta (born Rodolfo Acosta Pérez) achieved his greatest success in the US, primarily as a villain in westerns. He was born in Chamizal, a section of land disputed by Mexico and Texas due to changes in the Rio Grande river which forms the border. At the time of Acosta's birth, the area was generally accepted by both Mexican and Texas governments as U.S. territory, and Acosta was born an American citizen, despite the fact that his birthplace is now in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. He served in the U.S. Navy in naval intelligence during World War II and married Jeanine Cohen, a woman he met in Casablanca during the North African campaign. They had four children. She filed for divorce after she found out Acosta was having an affair and sharing an apartment in Mexico City with actress Ann Sheridan in the 1950s. They divorced in 1957. Rodolfo Acosta married again on September 18, 1971 to Vera Martinez and they had one child. She divorced him in 1974 a few weeks before his death at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. After the war, Acosta worked in Mexico in films of the great director Emilio Fernández, which led to a bit in John Ford's film The Fugitive (1947). He came to the US and was signed by Universal for a small role in One Way Street (1950). He stayed in the US and his sharp, ruthless features led him to a long succession of roles as bandits, Indian warriors and outlaws. In The Tijuana Story (1957), he had a sympathetic leading role, but in general he spent his career as a very familiar western bad guy.

This beautiful actress was born in March 1975 in the city of Chihuahua in northern Mexico. She was noticed for the first time in 1993. when she was chosen for the "Face of the year". Aracely's role model is famous actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, but at first she was too shy to shoot naked. However, in Abrázame muy fuerte (2000), in a few scenes you can see her half-naked or in underwear. She has been out with actor Gabriel Soto, singer and actor Eduardo Verastagui and Pablo Montero. Aracely says that her relationship with Pablo was a friendly date, and that today they are good friends. In her free time she likes to cook and eat candies, but because of her figure she goes to the gym. Aracely also writes songs and plays guitar. Aracely is really related to her family, and she likes to go out with her friends or go to her house to Cuernavaca and relax by the pool. This actress is also well-known for her changes of image. Every few months she changes her hair, so first it's blonde and long and then it's dark and short. Today she has an exclusive contract with Televisa, and her new telenovela is called "Vias de amor, Las" (2002).

Tito Larriva was born Humberto Lorenzo Rodriquez Larriva in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. He is known for his supporting roles in Road House, Despirodo, Once upon a time in Mexico, and from Dusk till Dawn. He is also known as a singer and songwriter. He has provided lead vocals for many bands such as the Cruzados, and the band that scored the big hit, After Dark, his very own, Tito and Tarantula.

Oka Giner was born on 30 November 1992 in Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress and director, known for Hagamos un corto (2015), Perdona nuestros pecados (2023) and Gossip Girl: Acapulco (2013).

Enrique Lucero was born on 9 October 1917 in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was an actor, known for The Wild Bunch (1969), The Magnificent Seven (1960) and The Long Goodbye (1973). He was married to Margarita Escalante Gutiérrez. He died on 9 May 1989 in Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

A graduate of Santa Clara University, where he received his BA in Theatre Arts, Zeus Mendoza has been a working Actor in Hollywood for over 20 years. Feature Film credits include "Passengers", in which he played Hector the Robot Waiter, "The Fallen Faithful", and Dreamworks' "Puss in Boots." Television Series Regular and Recurring Role credits include "Major Crimes" as Special Agent Victor Vega for TNT, Detective Tony Santiago in the NBC remake series "Hunter", TNT's "Crusade" starring as Trace Miller, Aaron Spelling's "Forbidden Island", filmed on location in New Zealand, "Port Charles", and "Days of Our Lives." Among his other credits are the CBS movie of the week "Murder in the Mirror", playing opposite Jane Seymour and James Farentino, and numerous guest starring roles in Television favorites "The Rookie", "9-1-1", "CSI", "Perception", "Crash", "CSI: Miami", and many others. Mr. Mendoza is also an accomplished Voice Over Actor, and has lent his voice to countless television, film, radio, and multi-million dollar video game projects. He voices a few characters in the hit film "Beverly Hills Chihuahua." Mr. Mendoza is also no stranger to professional Theatre. He has gained recognition on stage and was nominated for a Garland's Critics Choice Award for his portrayal as Slim in the Pasadena Playhouse production of "Of Mice and Men." He has played leading man to Sanaa Lathan (Love and Basketball) and Amy Brennaman(Judging Amy) in the Los Angeles productions of "Our Town" and "Walking Off the Roof", and gave a memorable turn as Elvis in Steve Martin's hit play "Picasso at the Lapin Agile" at the Theatre On the Square in San Francisco. Other Theatre credits include "Paint Your Wagon", playing the romantic lead Julio Valveras, and "By the Waters of Babylon" playing Arturo-- both at The Geffen Playhouse.

Other film credits include film festival favorites "The Novice" (Sundance Film Festival), "Ransom", "Asylum Days","Poco Loco" (aka "A Little Crazy"), "Land of Milk and Honey", and "Ballad of a Soldier" (Los Angeles Latino Film Festival).

Mr.Mendoza is also the lead singer for the Los Angeles based rock and roll band Simpleworld. Their first single "What You Get" from their debut album "Amplify Your Soul" (POP records) quickly rose on the top 40 charts within weeks of its release and was featured on the Campus Circle CD along with Paolo Alto and The Ataris. Simpleworld has recently completed their 2nd studio album "A Rip in the Frame."

Elsa Aguirre was born on 25 September 1930 in Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress, known for Cantando nace el amor (1954), La mujer de dos caras (1957) and El sexo fuerte (1946).

Gabriela Roel was born on 13 December 1959 in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress, known for Amor a la vuelta de la esquina (1986), Pueblo de madera (1990) and Hoy voy a cambiar (2017).

Mexico's most famous ranchera singer, Lucha Villa earned more notice than Lola Beltran thanks to a long, successful film career in addition to her recording work. Born in the Chihuahua state town of Ciudad Camargo in the mid-'30s, young Luz Elena Bejarano entered a number of talent contests and was dubbed Lucha Villa by television producer Luis Dillon (the name is a contraction of Pancho Villa and the Chihuahua village where he spent time). Her biggest early hit was a version of the José Alfredo Jiménez standard "Media Vuelta," and after several minor film roles, she became a star with the 1965 cockfighting feature El Gallo de Oro.

As with her music, Villa specialized in rural and ranchera pictures, a genre especially connected to American audiences familiar with Westerns. During the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, she recorded dozens of albums and appeared in dozens of pictures, including the 1973 screwball comedy Mecánica Nacional, which won the Ariel award (Mexico's version of the Oscar). She also recorded songbook tributes to Jiménez and Juan Gabriel, and was saluted herself by Gabriel for his 1996 Las Tres Señoras (with Lola Beltran and Amalia Mendoza). Villa continued performing even after suffering a heart attack during surgery in 1997.

María Sorté was born on 11 May 1951 in Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress and writer, known for De frente al sol (1992), Lying Heart (2016) and Amar sin límites (2006). She was previously married to Javier Garcia Paniagua.

Luz María Aguilar was born on 26 March 1935 in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress, known for Con quién andan nuestras hijas (1956), Maldita ciudad (un drama cómico) (1954) and Alma de hierro (2008).

Consuelo Duval was born on 11 January 1969 in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress, known for La hora pico (2000), La familia P. Luche (2002) and XHDRbZ (2002).

Alma Rosa Aguirre was born on 19 February 1929 in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress, known for El fantasma de la casa roja (1956), El sexo fuerte (1946) and No te ofendas, Beatriz (1953).

Julian Ramirez was born on 16 February 1927 in Camargo Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was married to Mercedes Ramirez. He died on 19 August 1991 in El Paso County, Texas, USA.

Raúl Martínez was born on 14 June 1920 in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was an actor, known for Superzan El Invencible (1971), Cantando nace el amor (1954) and No me platiques más (1956). He was married to Lilian Jaime. He died on 8 March 1993 in Mexico D.F., Mexico.

Manuel 'Loco' Valdés was born on 29 January 1931 in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was an actor, known for La caperucita roja (1960), The Panther Women (1967) and A ritmo de twist (1962). He was married to Yolanda Peña. He died on 28 August 2020 in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Brisa Carrillo was born on 7 October 1992 in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress, known for Como dice el dicho (2011), Campus de sombras (2013) and La mujer del Vendaval (2012).

Miguel Aceves Mejía was born on 15 November 1915 in Chihuahua, Mexico. He was an actor, known for El asesino enmascarado (1962), El cariñoso (1959) and Tú y la mentira (1958). He was married to Rita Monterrey and Angelina Sánchez. He died on 6 November 2006 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Micaela Lozano was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress and director, known for 'Tis the Season to be Merry (2021), Sniper: Rogue Mission (2022) and JT LeRoy (2018).

Socorro Bonilla was born on 20 August 1947 in Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico. She is an actress, known for Married Life (1993), Marisol (1996) and Amar sin límites (2006).

Beatrice Dominguez born in San Bernardino in California in 1896. A exotic dancer, first working in vaudeville under the name of 'La Bella Sevilla'. dark-haired genuine beauty who appeared in a handful of melodrama and western movies, making her film debut in 1914 under the direction of Burton L. King in 'The Masked Dancer' at Vitagraph studios, later became popular in Art Acord westerns such as 'The Moon Rider' in 1920. She made screen history when she danced the Tango with Rudolph Valentino in 'The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' in 1921 the scene captivated audiences and made Valentino a star it is still one of the most famous moments of silent film history. sadly in 1921 she collapsed from a ruptured appendix and died of peritonitis after surgery, she was only 24