Leo Carrillo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leo Carrillo
|
|
|---|---|
Carrillo in 1934
|
|
| Born |
Leopoldo Antonio Carrillo
August 6, 1881 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Died | September 10, 1961 (aged 80) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
|
| Resting place | Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1915–1957 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Edith Haeselbarth
(m. 1913; died 1953) |
| Children | 1 |
Leopoldo Antonio Carrillo (born August 6, 1880 – died September 10, 1961), known as Leo Carrillo, was an American actor. He was also a vaudeville performer, a political cartoonist, and a conservationist. He is best known for playing the character Pancho in the TV show The Cisco Kid (1950–1956). He also played Pancho in several movies.
Contents
About Leo Carrillo
His Family History
Leo Carrillo came from the important Carrillo family of California. This family had roots in California, Mexico, and Spain going back to the year 1260. His great-great grandfather, José Raimundo Carrillo, was a soldier. He arrived in San Diego in 1769 as part of a Spanish expedition.
His great-grandfather, Carlos Antonio Carrillo, was a governor of Alta California. His great-uncle, José Antonio Carrillo, was mayor of Los Angeles three times. Leo Carrillo's paternal grandfather, Pedro Carrillo, was a writer.
Growing Up
Leo Carrillo's family moved from San Diego to Los Angeles. Then they moved to Santa Monica. His father, Juan José Carrillo, became the police chief there. Later, his father was the first mayor of Santa Monica.
Leo Carrillo was very proud of his family's history. He wrote a book called The California I Love. It was published just before he passed away in 1961.
Becoming an Actor
Leo Carrillo went to university. He first worked as a newspaper cartoonist for the San Francisco Examiner. After that, he started acting on Broadway in New York.
In Hollywood, he acted in more than 90 movies. He often played characters who spoke with a special accent or "dialect." In real life, he had a deep voice without an accent. He often used these dialects to make people laugh. For example, he would say things like "Let's went!" when his character left a scene.
Leo Carrillo was good at playing both kind and villainous characters. In 1951, he starred in the movie Pancho Villa Returns. This movie was made in both English and Spanish.
However, he is most remembered as Pancho. Pancho was the friendly sidekick to The Cisco Kid. Duncan Renaldo played Cisco. Renaldo and Carrillo first worked together in movies in 1949. Then they starred in a TV show that ran from 1950 to 1956. The Cisco Kid was special because it was the first TV show filmed in color.
Helping California
Carrillo was very dedicated to protecting nature and historical places. He worked to save important lands and buildings. In 1933, a city in Hawaii named a large banyan tree after him. The "Leo Carrillo tree" is still there today.
Carrillo was part of the California Beach and Parks commission for 18 years. He helped the state get important places. These included Hearst Castle at San Simeon and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. He was even made a goodwill ambassador for California.
Because of his work, a beach in California is named Leo Carrillo State Park. It is west of Malibu on Pacific Coast Highway. The city of Westminster, California, also named an elementary school after him. The Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park in Carlsbad, California, is a registered historical site. A trail in Carlsbad is also named Rancho Carrillo Trail.
His Political Views
Leo Carrillo was a member of the Republican Party. He supported Republican candidates in elections. For example, in 1944, he performed at a large rally. This rally supported the Republican candidates for president and governor. Many famous people attended this event.
During the early days of World War II, Carrillo expressed strong views. He believed that Japanese Americans living on the West Coast should be moved inland. He sent a telegram to a congressman about his concerns.
His Family Life
In 1913, Leo Carrillo married Edith Shakespeare Haeselbarth. They met when she saw him perform in New York City. They were married until Edith passed away in 1953.
They lived in Santa Monica Canyon. They had one daughter, Marie Antoinette. They also spent time at their large ranch in Carlsbad, California. Carrillo often let Boy Scout groups camp on his ranch.
Later Years and Legacy
Leo Carrillo passed away from cancer in 1961. He was 81 years old. He is buried in Santa Monica's Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery.
For his work in movies, Leo Carrillo has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 1635 Vine Street. He has a second star at 1517 Vine Street for his work in television.
Filmography
See also
In Spanish: Leo Carrillo para niños
