Francisco Gattorno facts for kids

Francisco Alejandro Gattorno Sánchez (born October 12, 1964), known simply as Francisco Gattorno, is a famous Cuban actor. He has starred in many popular TV shows and movies, especially telenovelas, which are like long TV dramas. He is well-known in Latin America and among Hispanic audiences in the United States.

Life and Career

Francisco grew up in Santa Clara, Cuba. His father was from the Canary Islands, and his mother's family had French roots. From a young age, Francisco loved Cuban music and sports. But acting and directing were his biggest passions.

He studied acting in Cuba and later in Mexico. He even became a Mexican citizen in the early 2000s.

Early Acting Roles

Francisco's acting journey began in 1985 when he was 21. He appeared in a Cuban film called Una Novia para David (which means "A Girlfriend for David"). A few years later, he acted in El Verano de la Señora Forbes ("The Summer of Miss Forbes"). This movie was also shown in Mexico and the Netherlands. In 1989, he had a small part in Papeles Secundarios ("Secondary Roles").

Next, Francisco traveled to Spain for a Cuban-Spanish movie called Me Alquilo Para Soñar in 1992. In 1993, he worked on another Cuban film, Sueño Tropical. By this time, Francisco was a well-known actor in Cuba.

Moving to Mexico and Telenovela Success

Before 1993 ended, Gattorno went to Chile for a short film. The year 1994 was a big one for him: he moved to Mexico. There, he acted in the famous film Fresa y Chocolate ("Strawberry and Chocolate"). This movie was about two men from different backgrounds who become friends. Francisco played the character Miguel in the film.

After settling in Mexico, Francisco started acting in Televisa's telenovelas in 1995. His first role was Josè Maria in La Dueña. In this show, he worked with well-known Mexican actors like Angélica Rivera. He also met his future wife, Cynthia Klitbo, who was also a rising star.

In 1996, Gattorno acted in Tu y Yo. This show became a huge international hit. It was one of the most watched shows among Hispanic people in the United States. He worked with many famous actors, including Maribel Guardia and Joan Sebastian.

Tu y Yo was followed by Cañaveral de Pasiones. Here, Gattorno acted alongside fellow Cuban actor César Évora. This show was an important step in Gattorno's career. After this soap opera, many news outlets started talking about his relationship with Cynthia Klitbo. They later divorced and did not have any children together.

In 1998, Gattorno appeared in an action film called Engaño Mortal. He also played Alvaro San Roman in the telenovela Preciosa. Gattorno and Évora worked together again in 1999's Laberintos de Pasion. He also appeared in Entre la Tarde y la Noche that year.

Hollywood Debut and Family Life

Francisco's fame continued to grow. In 2000, he made his Hollywood debut in the film Before Night Falls. Then, in 2001, he traveled to Colombia to play Andres Bustamante in Amantes del Desierto. Soon after, he met Belmaris González Suazo, a Cuban ballet dancer. She became Gattorno's second wife. They have two daughters together, Isabella and Carolina Alicia.

Gattorno continued his work in 2001 with El noveno mandamiento. In 2002, he was in a very popular telenovela for teenagers called Cómplices al rescate. He acted alongside Daniela Luján and Belinda Peregrin. It was a romantic story about young people trying to fix broken relationships.

By this time, Gattorno was so famous that he appeared on the covers of major Spanish-language magazines in the United States. He finished 2002 and started 2003 acting in another big teenage telenovela hit, Clase 406. After this, Gattorno took a break from telenovelas for about a year and a half. During this time, he appeared on popular talk shows like Don Francisco's Don Francisco Presenta and El Gordo y La Flaca. He also co-hosted El Escandalo del Mediodia for a week. He returned to telenovelas playing Federico in Las Lloronas.

Theatre and Later Television Roles

In September 2004, Francisco began working with the Spanish Repertory Theatre in New York. He debuted in a play called Ana en el trópico. This play was very well-received and became a regular part of the theater's shows. Gattorno also acted in other plays, including Las quiero a las dos and Escrito y Sellado.

In 2005, Gattorno hosted Premios Lo Nuestro, an important award show for Latin music. He also joined Telemundo and starred in their show Tierra de Pasiones. He played Pablo Gonzalez alongside stars like Gabriela Spanic.

Gattorno played Roberto in the 2005 movie La Migra, which was also known as Murder on the Border. In 2006, he starred in the new Telemundo version of La Viuda de Blanco, playing Sebastian Blanco. He also starred in the Panamanian film Chance, which won an international award in 2010. In 2009, he returned to Mexican telenovelas in Mi Pecado. He played Rodolfo Huerta, a teacher and father. He also appeared in Atrévete a soñar.

In 2012, he returned to telenovelas in Abismo de pasion. This show was a new version of Cañaveral de Pasiones, where he had acted before. He played Braulio, a supporting role. In the same year, he joined the cast of Amores verdaderos (telenovela), playing Santino "Salsero" Roca. In 2013, he was in Lo Que La Vida Me Robó, playing Sandro Navarez.

Francisco Gattorno owns property in Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida.

Filmography

Television

See also

In Spanish: Francisco Gattorno para niños