Duncan Renaldo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Duncan Renaldo
|
|
|---|---|
Duncan Renaldo in his trophy room in Goleta, Calif., circa 1973–74.
|
|
| Born |
Vasile Dumitru Cugheanos
April 23, 1904 Oancea, Galați County, Romania
|
| Died | September 3, 1980 (aged 76) Goleta, California, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery, Santa Barbara, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1928–1980 |
Duncan Renaldo (born April 23, 1904 – died September 3, 1980) was an American actor who was born in Romania. He is best known for playing the character of The Cisco Kid. He played this role in movies and in a popular TV series from 1950 to 1956.
Contents
About Duncan Renaldo
His Early Life
Duncan Renaldo had an interesting start to his life. He sometimes said he wasn't sure where he was born. Official records show he was born in Oancea, Romania, and his birth name was Vasile Dumitru Cugheanos. However, Renaldo himself claimed he was born in New Jersey, USA. He said he was later raised in Romania by people he called his "parents."
He also said he never knew his birth parents. He grew up in different countries in Europe. He came to America in the 1920s. He first worked on a French ship and entered the United States in 1917.
Becoming an Actor
At first, Duncan Renaldo tried to make a living as a portrait painter. When that didn't work out, he started making short films. Soon, he began acting and signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1928. He appeared in important films like The Bridge of San Luis Rey and Trader Horn.
In 1933, Renaldo faced some legal trouble. He was accused of falsely claiming to be an American citizen. However, he was later pardoned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. After this, he was able to return to acting.
He found smaller roles at Republic Pictures and other studios. In 1939, he convinced Republic Pictures to add a Latin cowboy character to their The Three Mesquiteers film series. This character only lasted a year. Renaldo then went back to playing minor roles in "B-films," which were lower-budget movies. He also had roles in bigger films like Spawn of the North (1938) and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Besides acting, he also worked as a producer, writer, and director.
Becoming a Television Star
In the late 1940s, Duncan Renaldo starred in several Western movies as The Cisco Kid. Then, in 1950, he began playing the same role in a very popular TV series. This show ran until 1956. Even though most TV shows at the time were in black-and-white, The Cisco Kid was filmed in color!
As Cisco, Renaldo rode across the Old West on his black-and-white horse named Diablo. He was always joined by his good friend, Pancho, played by actor Leo Carrillo.
Beyond acting, Renaldo was also an artist. He drew ink sketches for a poetry book called Drifter's Dreams. He also painted with oils. Two of his large paintings of the Maasai tribe, whom he met in Kenya while filming Trader Horn, were displayed in his home.
His Later Years
Duncan Renaldo passed away in 1980 at the age of 76. He died in Goleta, California. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Santa Barbara, California.
His Legacy
Duncan Renaldo is remembered for his contributions to television. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1680 Vine Street. He is also pictured with the band War on their 1974 album, War Live. This album includes their 1973 song, "The Cisco Kid."
Partial Filmography
- The Trail Beyond. Starring John Wayne 1934
- Lady Luck (1936)
- Rose of the Rio Grande (1938)
- Down Mexico Way (1941)
- Call of the South Seas (1944)
- Two Years Before the Mast (1946)
- For Whom The Bell Tolls (1943) (credited)
See also
In Spanish: Duncan Renaldo para niños
