Lito Cruz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lito Cruz
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| Born |
Oscar Alberto Cruz
May 14, 1941 |
| Died | December 19, 2017 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Alma mater | University of Buenos Aires University Theatre Institute of Chile |
| Occupation | Argentine cinema and theatre actor, director, and playwright |
| Awards | Martín Fierro Awards (2011, 2014) |
Lito Cruz (born Oscar Alberto Cruz; May 14, 1941 – December 19, 2017) was a famous Argentine actor and director. He worked in both theatre and movies. Lito Cruz was also a playwright, meaning he wrote plays.
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Early Life and Theatre Beginnings
Lito Cruz was born Oscar Alberto Cruz in 1941. He grew up in Berisso, a town near La Plata, Argentina. At just 15 years old, he started acting in local plays. After finishing high school in La Plata, he kept acting in the city's growing independent theatre groups.
In 1961, Lito began studying at the University of Buenos Aires. Even while studying architecture, he always found time to perform. After graduating in 1964, he went to Chile to study at the respected University Theatre Institute.
Creating New Theatre Experiences
Lito Cruz returned to Buenos Aires in 1968. He acted in a short film called Los taitas. The next year, he helped start the Experimental Theatre Team of Buenos Aires (ETEBA). This group created a play called La leyenda de Pedro, based on Peer Gynt.
This play was very popular and brought Lito international attention. ETEBA toured with it to festivals in Nancy, Berlin, and Florence. In 1972, ETEBA was even invited to perform their play El sapo y la serpiente at the Munich Olympics.
Teaching and Directing Talent
From 1972 to 1975, Lito Cruz taught acting at the National Drama Conservatory. He directed many modern plays there. His work earned him a scholarship to study at the famous Actors Studio in New York City. He also received a fellowship to study drama in Portugal.
When he came back to Buenos Aires, Lito continued to lead his own experimental theatre school. It became one of Argentina's most popular drama schools. One of his plays, El Señor Galíndez, caused trouble because it touched on sensitive political topics.
Acting in Movies and TV
Lito Cruz had several small roles in films after his first movie. In 1987, he played a friendly ghost in the movie Sur. This film showed the lives of people in a working-class neighborhood in Buenos Aires.
For a while, Lito focused mostly on his drama school. He only took small movie roles. But in 1996, he got a bigger part in the film Sotto voce (meaning "Whispers"). He played Walensky, a tough bar owner caught up in a mystery.
Helping the Theatre Community
In the 1990s, Lito Cruz became a strong supporter of theatre in Argentina. Theatre had faced many challenges, including financial difficulties. He became the director of the Argentine Actors' Association. He also led "Action for Culture, Theatre and Visual Arts," a group that helps artists in Argentina.
Because of his important work, Lito was named National Theatres Director in 1995. He used this position to help pass the "National Theatre Law" in 1998. This law helped protect struggling theatres from being torn down. It also made sure that theatre arts received yearly funding.
Later Career and Legacy
Lito Cruz continued to lead his drama school, which was later named after him. He also took on more main roles in movies. Some of his notable roles include a retired military officer in Vidas privadas (2001). He also played an older intellectual facing life changes in India Pravile (2003).
He kept working to support the arts in government. He served as Director of the Province of Buenos Aires Comedy. He also directed the Coliseo Podestá Theatre in La Plata. In 2009, Lito Cruz created a musical called Sueños de milongueros. This show honored famous authors and artists.
Awards and Recognition
Lito Cruz received several important awards for his acting:
- Martín Fierro Awards
- 2011: Best Supporting Actor for his role in El elegido
- 2014: Best Supporting Actor for his role in Solamente vos
See also
In Spanish: Lito Cruz para niños
