Victor Argo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Victor Argo
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| Born |
Victor Jimenez
November 5, 1934 The Bronx, New York, United States
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| Died | April 7, 2004 (aged 69) Manhattan, New York, United States
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| Occupation | actor, singer |
| Years active | 1964–2004 |
Victor Argo (born November 5, 1934 – died April 7, 2004) was an American actor. He was of Puerto Rican descent. Victor Argo often played strong, tough characters in his movies. His acting career lasted for forty years.
He is well-known for his roles in films like Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), and King of New York (1990).
Early Life
Victor Argo was born as Victor Jimenez in The Bronx, New York. Both of his parents were born in a town called Quebradillas, Puerto Rico.
Acting Career
Victor Argo started his career acting on stage. When he was trying to get into acting, some people had unfair ideas about Latino performers. To help his chances of getting roles, Victor chose the stage name "Argo." He said he felt the unfairness was against his name, not against him personally.
In the 1960s, while acting in a play in New York City, Argo met Yoko Ono. He also became friends with actor Harvey Keitel. They stayed close friends for almost forty years and acted in many movies together. In 1977, Argo helped start the Riverside Shakespeare Company in New York City. He even toured parks in Manhattan, playing a character called Lord Montague.
In the 1970s, Argo started acting in films and on television. He often played tough New York characters or strong figures in movies. He was a favorite actor for famous directors like Martin Scorsese, Abel Ferrara, and Woody Allen.
Some of his many films include Taxi Driver, King of New York, The Rose, New York Stories, The Last Temptation of Christ, and Coyote Ugly. In 2001, he played the father of Jennifer Lopez's character in the movie Angel Eyes.
He also appeared as a guest on many TV shows. These include The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Law & Order, and Miami Vice. In total, Victor Argo acted in seventy-five films and had twenty-one guest roles on television.
Besides acting, Victor Argo also loved country music. He even traveled to Nashville, the home of country music, to record some song demos.
Film Roles
Here are some of the films Victor Argo appeared in:
- Dealing (1972) as 2nd Cuban
- Boxcar Bertha (1972) as McIver #1
- Unholy Rollers (1972) as Vinnie The Trainer
- Mean Streets (1973) as Mario
- The Don Is Dead (1973) as Augie 'The Horse'
- The Terminal Man (1974) as Orderly
- Taxi Driver (1976) as Melio, Bodega Clerk
- Hot Tomorrows (1977) as Tony
- Which Way Is Up? (1977) as Angel
- The Rose (1979) as Lockerman
- Hanky Panky (1982) as Pallbearer
- Romando (1982) as Don Piri
- Falling in Love (1984) as Victor Rawlins
- The Electric Chair (1985) as Comic
- Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) as Sergeant Taskal
- After Hours (1985) as Diner Cashier
- Off Beat (1986) as Leon
- Raw Deal (1986) as Dangerous Man
- Florida Straits (1986) as Pablo Cheruka
- The Pick-up Artist (1987) as Harris
- The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) as Peter, Apostle
- Her Alibi (1989) as Avram
- New York Stories (1989) as Cop (segment "Life Lessons")
- Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) as Detective
- King of New York (1990) as Lieutenant Roy Bishop
- Quick Change (1990) as Mike Skelton
- McBain (1991) as El Presidente
- Shadows and Fog (1991) as Hacker's Vigilante #2
- Bad Lieutenant (1992) as Beat Cop
- True Romance (1993) as Lenny
- Dangerous Game (1993) as Director of Photography
- Household Saints (1993) as Lino Falconetti
- Men Lie (1994) as Scott's Dad
- Monkey Trouble (1994) as Charlie
- Somebody to Love (1994) as Santa Claus
- Smoke (1995) as Vinnie
- Blue in the Face (1995) as Vinnie
- Condition Red (1995) as Victor Klein
- The Funeral (1996) as Julius
- Next Stop Wonderland (1998) as Frank
- Going Nomad (1998) as Spiro
- Lulu on the Bridge (1998) as Pierre
- Side Streets (1998) as Albani Krug
- New Rose Hotel (1998) as Portuguese Business Man
- Fast Horses (1998) as Zack
- On the Run (1999) as Man Shaving
- Coming Soon (1999) as Mr. Neipris
- Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) as Vinny
- Blue Moon (2000) as Tony
- The Yards (2000) as Paul Lazarides
- Fast Food Fast Women (2000) as Seymour
- Love = (Me)^3 (2000) as Mr. Carrera
- Coyote Ugly (2000) as Pete
- Double Whammy (2001) as Lieutenant Spigot
- 'R Xmas (2001) as Louie
- Angel Eyes (2001) as Carl Pogue
- Queenie in Love (2001) as Horace
- The Man Who Knew Belle Starr (2001) as Diner Owner
- Don't Say a Word (2001) as Syd Simon
- Bridget (2002) as Grant
- Anything But Love (2002) as Sal
- Dirt (2003) as El Gringo Nestor
- Personal Sergeant (filmed in 2003; released in 2004) as Chuck Manetta
- Lustre (filmed in 2003; released in 2005) as Hugo (final film role)
Later Years and Death
Before he passed away, Victor Argo achieved a dream of performing on Broadway. He was cast in the play Anna in the Tropics, which won a special award called the Pulitzer Prize. In his very last movie role, in the independent film Lustre, Argo played a tough business owner. This film was released in 2005.
Victor Argo died in New York City at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center on April 7, 2004. He was 69 years old and passed away due to complications from lung cancer. His body was donated to Manhattan College for medical science. In 2005, an electronic music group called Bodega System released a song named "Victor Argo."
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
