Eusebio Poncela facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eusebio Poncela
Born	Eusebio Poncela Aprea (1945-09-15)15 September 1945 Madrid, Spain
Died	27 August 2025(2025-08-27) (aged 79) El Escorial, Spain
Education	Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático
Occupation	Actor

Eusebio Poncela Aprea (born 15 September 1945 – died 27 August 2025) was a talented Spanish actor. He worked in both films and theater. His career also took him to Argentina. He was known for his roles in movies like Rapture (1979), Law of Desire (1987), and Martín (Hache) (1997). He was nominated for a Goya Award for Best Actor for his work in Intact (2001). On television, he appeared in popular series such as Los gozos y las sombras, Isabel, and Carlos, rey emperador. He won an Iris Award for Best Actor for his role in Carlos, rey emperador.

Early Life and Education

Eusebio Poncela was born in Madrid, Spain, on 15 September 1945. He grew up in the area of Vallecas. He studied acting at the Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático. This is a famous drama school in Spain. He graduated alongside other well-known actors like Marisa Paredes and Juan Diego.

A Career in Acting

Early Theater and Film Roles

Poncela began his acting journey on stage in 1967. His first play was Mariana Pineda. He quickly became a respected actor in Spanish theater. He performed in plays such as Marat/Sade, Romeo and Juliet, and A Taste of Honey. After his success in theater, he started working in films and television.

His film career began in the 1970s. In the horror film Pastel de sangre (1971), he played the Monster. He also appeared in The Cannibal Man (1972). Other films from this period include A House Without Boundaries (1972) and In memoriam (1977). In 1978, he joined the cast of the television series Curro Jiménez.

Rising to Fame in Film and TV

Poncela took on the main role in the unique film Rapture (1979). This movie was directed by Iván Zulueta. In it, he played a director of horror movies who was deeply passionate about cinema. He also appeared in Ogro, a film about a historical event.

He became widely recognized in 1982. This was thanks to his role in the Televisión Española series Los gozos y las sombras. He then played a police inspector in the crime film El arreglo [ca] (1983). He continued his stage work, starring in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1984). He played another police inspector in Pedro Almodóvar's film Matador (1986). That same year, he starred in Werther. This film was based on a famous novel by Goethe. He also played detective Pepe Carvalho in a TV series.

In 1987, Poncela co-starred with Antonio Banderas in Law of Desire. He played a film and theater director in this movie.

Working in Argentina and Return to Spain

During the 1990s, Eusebio Poncela lived and worked in Argentina. He appeared in Argentine films like A Shadow You Soon Will Be (1994) and Martín (Hache) (1997). He also became well-known for appearing in the music video for "Matador" by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. He collaborated with his friend, musician Fito Páez. He even played the Devil in a TV commercial for Renault Clio.

In the 2000s, Poncela returned to Spain. He starred in the fantasy thriller Intact (2001). In this film, he played a character who could take luck from others. This role earned him a nomination for a Goya Award. He also appeared in Black Serenade (2001) and 800 Bullets (2002). In 2004, he received the Nacho Martínez Award at the Gijón International Film Festival.

Later Television and Stage Work

As his film roles became less frequent, Poncela's work in television series grew. He played important historical figures. He portrayed Cardinal Casimiro Morcillo in the miniseries Tarancón, el quinto mandamiento. He also played Cardinal Cisneros in the historical series Isabel. He continued this role in Carlos, Rey Emperador and El ministerio del tiempo. He also appeared in the film The Broken Crown as Cardinal Cisneros.

His television career also included playing villain roles. These were in series like Red Eagle and El accidente. In 2017, he received the Sant Jordi Special Award for Lifetime Achievements. More recently, he appeared in Merlí: Sapere Aude (2021). He played a mentor character in this series. He also portrayed a psychiatrist in the series Matices [es] (2025).

In 2022, he starred in a play of Manuel Puig's Kiss of the Spider Woman. This play was directed by Carlota Ferrer.

Eusebio Poncela passed away at his home in El Escorial on 27 August 2025. He was 79 years old. A documentary film about Rapture, called The Last Rapture, is set to be released in September 2025. It will be shown at the 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Awards and Recognition

See also

In Spanish: Eusebio Poncela para niños