Victor Argo
Template:Short description Template:Infobox person
Victor Argo (November 5, 1934 – April 7, 2004) was an American actor of Puerto Rican descent who usually played the part of a tough bad guy in his movies.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He is best known for Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), Hot Tomorrows (1977), Raw Deal (1986), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), King of New York (1990), and McBain (1991).
Early years
Argo was born Victor Jimenez in The Bronx, New York. Both of his parents were born in the town of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico.<ref name="RT">Rotten Tomatoes</ref>
Career
Stage
Argo began his career as a stage actor. Attempting to break into show business at a time when there was much prejudice against Latino performers, Victor professionally adopted the surname "Argo" to better his casting chances, stating in an interview that he "felt the prejudice was against the name, not even against me."<ref name=CTobit/> While performing in an Off-Broadway play during the 1960s, Argo met Yoko Ono, with whom he participated in the so-called "Happening" movement. He met Harvey Keitel during the early stages of his career; the two actors remained close friends for nearly forty years and worked together on several films, including Bad Lieutenant which Argo helped persuade Keitel to accept the lead role for.<ref>Bad Lieutenant − DVD commentary by Abel Ferrara</ref> In 1977, Argo became a founding member of the Riverside Shakespeare Company on New York City's Upper West Side. As a member, he toured the parks of Manhattan playing Lord Montague.<ref>"Shakespeare on the Drive," The New York Times, August 19, 1977.</ref>
Screen
Argo lent his talents to nearly seventy theatrical films and forty television films and series.<ref name="SDT">Template:Cite web</ref>
Argo made his film debut in February of 1972 in Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues as the 2nd Cuban.<ref name="AFIdealing">Template:Cite web</ref> Argo appeared later that same year in June in Boxcar Bertha credited as one of "The McIvers" in the opening credits. Argo as "McIver #1" along with David Osterhout as McIver #2, are railroad detectives charged with keeping hobo stowaways from riding in the boxcars.<ref name="AFIboxcar">Template:Cite web</ref> Also that year, he had a small role in Unholy Rollers (November 1972). Often playing the part of the New York City 'heavy' or mobster on film, Argo was a favorite of such directors as Martin Scorsese, Abel Ferrara and Woody Allen. His film credits include Taxi Driver (1976), King of New York (1990), The Rose (1979), New York Stories (1989), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Bad Lieutenant (1992), True Romance (1993), and Coyote Ugly (2000). He played the father of Jennifer Lopez's character in the 2001 romantic drama Angel Eyes.
On television in February of 1973 Argo appeared on The Waltons,<ref name="TVGwalt">Template:Cite journal</ref> followed by All in the Family<ref name="TCSeps">Template:Cite book</ref> in September that same year, and Kojak afterwards.<ref name="ATV">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1974, he appeared in the made-for-TV film Smile Jenny, You're Dead.<ref name="TCMf">Template:Cite web</ref> Also in the 1970s, Argo's television guest appearances include Starsky & Hutch (1975), The Rockford Files and Wonder Woman both in 1977, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)
In 1985, Argo appeared on The Equalizer episode "The Defector" as O'Hare, who poses as a police officer and puts Melissa Leo's character, Russian ballerina Irina Dzershinsky, into "protective" custody by order of the KGB. Other appearances in the 1980s include, Spenser: For Hire (1985), Miami Vice (1988), and episodes of Law & Order (1992, 1997) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2003).
Music
Outside of acting on the screen and stage, another deep passion for Argo was country music, the actor at one time having traveled to Nashville to cut several song demos.<ref name=CTobit>Template:Cite web</ref>
Later years and death
Shortly before his death, Argo realized a lifelong dream of performing on Broadway when he was cast as Santiago, the owner of a cigar factory, in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Anna in the Tropics. In his last screen role, in the independent film Lustre by director Art Jones, Argo portrayed a New York City loan shark who retreats from his everyday, hard-nosed rants to a deeply spiritual retreat from the world. The film was released in 2005. Argo died in New York City at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center on April 7, 2004, from complications of lung cancer at age 69. His body was donated to Manhattan College for medical science. In 2005, Electronic music group Bodega System released a 12" vinyl LP which includes the track "Victor Argo".<ref name="SDT"/>
Filmography
Film
Theatrical films in which Argo had a role follow.<ref name="AFIfilms">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="RT"/> Template:Div col
- 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
- 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 (2004, filmed in 2003)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as Chuck Manetta
- Lustre (2005, filmed in 2003) as Hugo (final film role)
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | The Waltons | Zvelei | Episode: "The Gypsies" Template:Small | <ref name="TVGwalt" /><ref name="ATV" /> |
| 1973 | All in the Family | Mr. Estrada | Episode: "We're Having a Heat Wave" Template:Small | <ref name="TCSeps" /><ref name="ATV" /> |
| 1974 | Smile Jenny, You're Dead | Sgt. Richard Marum | TV movie | <ref name="TCMf" /> |
| 1974 | Kojak | Joseph Crespi | Episode: "The Chinatown Murders" | <ref name="ATV" /> |
| 1975 | Force Five | Frankie Hatcher | TV movie | <ref name="TCMf" /> |
| 1975 | Starsky & Hutch | Rudy Solenko | Episode: "Lady Blue" Template:Small | <ref name="ATV" /> |
| 1977 | Wonder Woman | Jason | Episode: "Last of the Two Dollar Bills" Template:Small | <ref name="ATV" /> |
| 1977 | The Rockford Files | Jud Brown | 1 episode | |
| 1979 | Buck Rogers in the 25th Century | Raphael Argus | 2 episodes | |
| 1981 | Dream House | Ramirez | TV movie | <ref name="TCMf" /> |
| 1985 | Spenser: For Hire | Hitman | 1 episode | |
| 1985 | The Equalizer | O'Hare | Episode: "The Defector" Template:Small | |
| 1986 | Florida Straits | Pablo Cheruka | TV movie | <ref name="TCMf" /> |
| 1988 | Miami Vice | Commandante Salazar | 2 episodes | <ref name="ATV" /> |
| 1990 | Johnny Ryan | Frank Costello | TV movie | <ref name="TCMf" /> |
| 1990 | Vendetta: Secrets of the Mafia | Persico | TV miniseries | <ref name="TCMf" /> |
| 1992 | Law & Order | Jose Tirado | Episode: "Cradel to Grave" Template:Small | <ref name="ATV" /> |
| 1995 | Dark Eyes | Rray Cedeno | 1 episode | <ref name="TCMf" /> |
| 1996 | Sins of Silence | Nick DiMatteo | TV movie | <ref name="TCMf" /> |
| 1997 | Law & Order | Enrique Flores | Episode: "Barter" Template:Small | <ref name="ATV" /> |
| 2003 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Mr. Garcia | Episode: "See Me" Template:Small | <ref name="ATV" /> |
See also
References
External links
- Victor Argo at the American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films
- Template:IMDb name
- Victor Argo at Turner Classic Movies
- What You Saw Him In archived from Movie Morlocks on Victor Argo (moviemorlocks.com)