Francisco Rabal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francisco Rabal
Rabal in El hombre de la isla (1960)
Born	Francisco Rabal Valera (1926-03-08)8 March 1926 Águilas, Murcia, Spain
Died	29 August 2001(2001-08-29) (aged 75) Bordeaux, France
Other names	Paco Rabal
Years active	1946–2001
Spouse(s)	Asunción Balaguer ​ (m. 1950)​

Francisco Rabal Valera (born March 8, 1926 – died August 29, 2001), known to many as Paco Rabal, was a famous Spanish actor. He was also a director and screenwriter. Paco was born in Águilas, a town in the south of Murcia, Spain.

During his long career, Paco Rabal acted in about 200 movies! He worked with many well-known directors from around the world. Some of these included Luis Buñuel, Pedro Almodóvar, and William Friedkin. Paco Rabal was loved in Spain and also gained fame internationally. He won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in Los Santos Inocentes. He also won a Goya Award for Best Actor for playing the famous artist Francisco de Goya in Goya en Burdeos. Paco Rabal was known for caring deeply about human rights and other important social causes.

A Star's Journey: Paco Rabal's Life

Early Life and First Steps

In 1936, when the Spanish Civil War began, Paco Rabal and his family moved from Murcia to Madrid. Young Francisco had to start working early to help his family. He sold things on the street and worked in a chocolate factory.

When he was 13, he left school. He got a job as an electrician at the Estudios Chamartín film studios. This was his first step into the world of movies.

Paco also got small jobs as an extra in films. An extra is someone who appears in the background of a movie scene. People like the writer Dámaso Alonso saw his talent. They told him he should try acting in plays.

Becoming an Actor

Over the next few years, Paco got roles in theater groups. He worked with famous companies like Lope de Vega. It was during this time that he met actress Asunción Balaguer. They got married in 1951 and stayed together for the rest of his life. Their daughter, Teresa Rabal, also became an actress.

By 1947, Paco Rabal was getting regular acting jobs in the theater. He used his full name, Francisco Rabal, as his stage name. A stage name is the name an actor uses for their performances. However, everyone who knew him called him Paco Rabal. "Paco" is a common nickname for "Francisco" in Spain. So, "Paco Rabal" became his unofficial stage name.

In the 1940s, Paco started acting in movies as an extra. But it wasn't until 1950 that he got his first speaking roles. He often played romantic heroes or clever rogues. He starred in three films directed by Luis Buñuel: Nazarín (1959), Viridiana (1961), and Belle de jour (1967). He and Buñuel became lifelong friends.

In 1962, he was named best actor by the Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos. This was for his role in El hombre de la isla.

Working with Famous Directors

The famous director William Friedkin wanted Paco Rabal for his 1971 movie The French Connection. Friedkin wanted "that Spanish actor" to play the French villain. But he couldn't remember Paco's name. By mistake, his team hired another Spanish actor, Fernando Rey. Friedkin later found out that Paco Rabal didn't speak English or French. So, he decided to keep Fernando Rey for the role. Interestingly, Paco Rabal had worked with Fernando Rey before in Viridiana. Paco did work with Friedkin later in the movie Sorcerer (1977).

Throughout his career, Paco Rabal worked in many countries. He acted in films made in France, Italy, and Mexico. He worked with directors like Gillo Pontecorvo, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Luchino Visconti.

Rabal with Marga López in El hombre de la isla (1960)

Later Career and Awards

Many people believe that Paco Rabal's best acting happened after 1975. This was after the death of Francisco Franco, a leader in Spain. In the 1980s, Paco Rabal starred in Los Santos Inocentes. For this film, he won the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival. He also starred in El Disputado Voto del Señor Cayo and the TV series Juncal.

In 1989, he was a judge at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival. In 1999, he played the artist Francisco Goya in Carlos Saura's movie Goya en Burdeos. He won a Goya Award for Best Actor for this role.

Paco Rabal's last movie was Dagon, directed by Stuart Gordon. This film was released in 2001, after Paco's death. The movie was dedicated to him. Before the end credits, it says: "Dedicated to Francisco Rabal, a wonderful actor and even better human being."

A Lasting Legacy

Paco Rabal passed away in 2001 while on an airplane. He was traveling to Bordeaux after receiving an award at the Montreal World Film Festival. He died from a lung condition. His death happened just a few weeks before he was going to receive another award. This was the lifetime Donostia Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. His grandson, Liberto Rabal, who is also an actor, accepted the award for him.

Francisco Rabal is the only Spanish actor to have received an honorary doctorate degree. This special degree was given to him by the University of Murcia. In 2004, a film library and cinematheque was created in Murcia. It was named Filmoteca Regional Francisco Rabal to honor him. It is a place for movie lovers to meet and enjoy films.

Selected Filmography

Rabal in the TV series Cristoforo Colombo (1968)

Rabal in a portrait made on wood in 2001

See also

In Spanish: Francisco Rabal para niños