Victor Argo (November 5, 1934 – April 7, 2004) was an American actor of Puerto Rican descent who usually played the part of a tough bad guy in his movies.
Early years
Argo was born
Victor Jimenez in
The Bronx, New York. Both of his parents were born in the town of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico.
[ Rotten Tomatoes]
Career
Stage
Argo began his career as a stage actor. Attempting to break into show business at a time when there was much prejudice against Latino performers, Victor professionally adopted the surname "Argo" to better his casting chances, stating in an interview that he "felt the prejudice was against the name, not even against me."
[ While performing in an Off-Broadway play during the 1960s, Argo met Yoko Ono, with whom he participated in the so-called "Happening" movement. He met Harvey Keitel during the early stages of his career; the two actors remained close friends for nearly forty years and worked together on several films, including Bad Lieutenant which Argo helped persuade Keitel to accept the lead role for.][ Bad Lieutenant − DVD commentary by Abel Ferrara] In 1977, Argo became a founding member of the Riverside Shakespeare Company on New York City's Upper West Side. As a member, he toured the parks of Manhattan playing Lord Montague.["Shakespeare on the Drive," The New York Times, August 19, 1977.]
Screen
Argo lent his talents to nearly seventy theatrical films and forty television films and series.
Argo made his film debut in February of 1972 in as the 2nd Cuban.
On television in February of 1973 Argo appeared on The Waltons,
In 1985, Argo appeared on The Equalizer episode "The Defector" as O'Hare, who poses as a police officer and puts Melissa Leo's character, Russian ballerina Irina Dzershinsky, into "protective" custody by order of the KGB. Other appearances in the 1980s include, (1985), Miami Vice (1988), and episodes of Law & Order (1992, 1997) and (2003). In one of his final roles, Argo played Chuck Manetta, a tough-talking soccer grandpa, in the independent feature, Personal Sergeant, released in 2004.
Music
Outside of acting on the screen and stage, another deep passion for Argo was country music, the actor at one time having traveled to Nashville to cut several song demos.
Later years and death
Shortly before his death, Argo realized a lifelong dream of performing on Broadway theatre when he was cast as Santiago, the owner of a cigar factory, in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Anna in the Tropics.
In his last screen role, in the independent film Lustre by director Art Jones, Argo portrayed a New York City loan shark who retreats from his everyday, hard-nosed rants to a deeply spiritual retreat from the world. The film was released in 2005. In a review, Jeannette Catsoulis at The New York Times writes that Argo's "fireplug body and throaty growl -- emanating from a face resembling a rather sad bulldog -- added texture and memorability to characters who might easily have disappeared in a fog of stereotype."
Argo died in New York City at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center on April 7, 2004, from complications of lung cancer at age 69. His body was donated to Manhattan College for medical science. In 2005, Electronic music group Bodega System released a 12" vinyl LP which includes the track "Victor Argo".
Filmography
Film
Theatrical films in which Argo had a role follow.
-
(1972) as 2nd Cuban
-
Boxcar Bertha (1972) as McIver #1
-
Unholy Rollers (1972) as Vinnie The Trainer
-
Mean Streets (1973) as Mario
-
The Don Is Dead (1973) as Augie 'The Horse'
-
The Terminal Man (1974) as Orderly
-
Taxi Driver (1976) as Melio, Bodega Clerk
-
Hot Tomorrows (1977) as Tony
-
Which Way Is Up? (1977) as Angel
-
The Rose (1979) as Lockerman
-
Hanky Panky (1982) as Pallbearer
-
Romando (1982) as Don Piri
-
Falling in Love (1984) as Victor Rawlins
-
The Electric Chair (1985) as Comic
-
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) as Sergeant Taskal
-
After Hours (1985) as Diner Cashier
-
Off Beat (1986) as Leon
-
Raw Deal (1986) as Dangerous Man
-
The Pick-up Artist (1987) as Harris
-
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) as Peter, Apostle
-
Her Alibi (1989) as Avram
-
New York Stories (1989) as Cop (segment "Life Lessons")
-
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) as Detective
-
King of New York (1990) as Lieutenant Roy Bishop
-
Quick Change (1990) as Mike Skelton
-
McBain (1991) as El Presidente
-
Shadows and Fog (1991) as Hacker's Vigilante #2
-
Bad Lieutenant (1992) as Beat Cop
-
True Romance (1993) as Lenny
-
Dangerous Game (1993) as Director of Photography
-
Household Saints (1993) as Lino Falconetti
-
Men Lie (1994) as Scott's Dad
-
Monkey Trouble (1994) as Charlie
-
Somebody to Love (1994) as Santa Claus
-
Smoke (1995) as Vinnie
-
Blue in the Face (1995) as Vinnie
-
Condition Red (1995) as Victor Klein
-
The Funeral (1996) as Julius
-
Next Stop Wonderland (1998) as Frank
-
Going Nomad (1998) as Spiro
-
Lulu on the Bridge (1998) as Pierre
-
Side Streets (1998) as Albani Krug
-
New Rose Hotel (1998) as Portuguese Business Man
-
Fast Horses (1998) as Zack
-
On the Run (1999) as Man Shaving
-
Coming Soon (1999) as Mr. Neipris
-
(1999) as Vinny
-
Blue Moon (2000) as Tony
-
The Yards (2000) as Paul Lazarides
-
Fast Food Fast Women (2000) as Seymour
-
Love = (Me)^3 (2000) as Mr. Carrera
-
Coyote Ugly (2000) as Pete
-
Double Whammy (2001) as Lieutenant Spigot
-
'R Xmas (2001) as Louie
-
Angel Eyes (2001) as Carl Pogue
-
Queenie in Love (2001) as Horace
-
The Man Who Knew Belle Starr (2001) as Diner Owner
-
Don't Say a Word (2001) as Syd Simon
-
Bridget (2002) as Grant
-
Anything But Love (2002) as Sal
-
Dirt (2003) as El Gringo Nestor
-
Personal Sergeant (2004, filmed in 2003)
-
Lustre (2005, filmed in 2003) as Hugo (final film role)
Television
| + |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
| |
| 1985 | The Equalizer | O'Hare | Episode: "The Defector" | |
|
|
|
|
| Jose Tirado | |
|
|
| Enrique Flores | |
| Mr. Garcia | |
See also
External links
