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Associated Press
Happy Birthday, Anthony Quinn, Iconic Mexican-American Actor
April 21, 2009
Best remembered for his roles in “Zorba the Greek,” “Viva Zapata!” and “La Strada,” prolific actor Anthony Quinn was an icon of old Hollywood masculinity—on the screen, on stage and in real life. Quinn also gained fame as a sculptor and a painter, and later in life became notorious for his numerous romantic adventures.
Early Days
Anthony Rudolph Oaxaca Quinn was born on April 21, 1915, in Chihuahua, Mexico. As an infant, Anthony crossed the border to El Paso, Texas, with his mother Manuela, where his father Francisco eventually joined them; the family later moved to California. After working as a migrant farmer, Francisco found a job as a grip and camera operator in Hollywood, and the family settled in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he died in a car accident when Anthony was only nine years old.
Following the death of his father, Anthony left school and started working, trying a number of different jobs including boxing, street preaching, the priesthood and architecture. He began taking acting lessons in the late 1920s, and obtained his first nonspeaking movie role in 1936, as a convict in the movie “Parole.” A speaking part as a Cheyenne warrior in the film “Plainsman” came later that year.
Due to his Mexican-Indian and Mexican-Irish ancestry, Quinn was tall, dark and powerfully built, making him an ideal fit for the roles of the outlaw or the rugged bad guy. According to film historian David Thomson, Quinn often played parts in which he ''dutifully let every Paramount white man slug him.''
Following the death of his father, Anthony left school and started working, trying a number of different jobs including boxing, street preaching, the priesthood and architecture. He began taking acting lessons in the late 1920s, and obtained his first nonspeaking movie role in 1936, as a convict in the movie “Parole.” A speaking part as a Cheyenne warrior in the film “Plainsman” came later that year.
Due to his Mexican-Indian and Mexican-Irish ancestry, Quinn was tall, dark and powerfully built, making him an ideal fit for the roles of the outlaw or the rugged bad guy. According to film historian David Thomson, Quinn often played parts in which he ''dutifully let every Paramount white man slug him.''
Notable Accomplishments
Quinn appeared accomplished his finest and most renowned film work during the 1950s and 1960s. He was the recipient of two Academy Awards, first for his interpretation of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata in “Viva Zapata!” (1952), and then for his portrayal of painter Paul Gauguin in “Lust for Life” (1956). He was also nominated for Best Actor for his appearances in “Wild Is the Wind” (1957) and “Zorba the Greek” (1964), one of the most memorable roles of his career. The famous dance scene from “Zorba the Greek” is available on YouTube.
According to The New York Times, Hollywood seemed to consider Quinn’s mixed heritage and “his looks ideal to represent almost every ethnicity.” He appeared in a variety of exotic and historical roles, playing an Eskimo in “The Savage Innocents” (1960), a Russian pope in “The Shoes of the Fisherman” (1968), the Sheik Auda abu Tayi in ''Lawrence of Arabia'' (1962), and Chief Crazy Horse in ''They Died With Their Boots On'' (1941).
According to The New York Times, Hollywood seemed to consider Quinn’s mixed heritage and “his looks ideal to represent almost every ethnicity.” He appeared in a variety of exotic and historical roles, playing an Eskimo in “The Savage Innocents” (1960), a Russian pope in “The Shoes of the Fisherman” (1968), the Sheik Auda abu Tayi in ''Lawrence of Arabia'' (1962), and Chief Crazy Horse in ''They Died With Their Boots On'' (1941).
The Rest of the Story
Quinn also pursued a career in theater, debuting on Broadway in 1947 with a role in “The Gentleman From Athens.” In 1950, he earned the role of Stanley Kowalski in a production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the New York City Center. And in 1960, he returned to Broadway, already a renowned actor, to star as Henry II in a production of “Beckett” alongside Laurence Olivier.
Parallel to his career in theater and film, Quinn also worked as a painter, sculptor and jewelry designer. His work was exhibited in the United States and abroad, and continues to sell at galleries and auctions today.
Quinn had a tumultuous personal life; he was married three times, and was involved in a variety of affairs with film stars and other members of the industry. His first marriage to Katherine DeMille, adopted daughter of famous Hollywood director Cecil B. DeMille, “almost ended on the wedding night, when Mr. Quinn learned that his 26-year-old bride was not a virgin,” The New York Times reported in 2001. Quinn wrote about the incident in his autobiography, “One Man Tango” (1995). After this scandal, he married Iolanda Addolari, with whom he stayed for 31 years. They divorced in 1997 so Quinn could marry Kathy Benvin, his former secretary, that same year.
On June 2, 2001, Quinn died from respiratory failure. He was 86 years old, had fathered 13 children and starred in more than 100 movies. To the end of his life, he personified the legend of the Hollywood macho man and the outlaw.
Parallel to his career in theater and film, Quinn also worked as a painter, sculptor and jewelry designer. His work was exhibited in the United States and abroad, and continues to sell at galleries and auctions today.
Quinn had a tumultuous personal life; he was married three times, and was involved in a variety of affairs with film stars and other members of the industry. His first marriage to Katherine DeMille, adopted daughter of famous Hollywood director Cecil B. DeMille, “almost ended on the wedding night, when Mr. Quinn learned that his 26-year-old bride was not a virgin,” The New York Times reported in 2001. Quinn wrote about the incident in his autobiography, “One Man Tango” (1995). After this scandal, he married Iolanda Addolari, with whom he stayed for 31 years. They divorced in 1997 so Quinn could marry Kathy Benvin, his former secretary, that same year.
On June 2, 2001, Quinn died from respiratory failure. He was 86 years old, had fathered 13 children and starred in more than 100 movies. To the end of his life, he personified the legend of the Hollywood macho man and the outlaw.
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
