Mexican actors who were born in 1901
Here are 6 famous actors from Mexico were born in 1901:
Alexander Kirkland
Alexander Kirkland (September 15, 1901 Mexico City-) otherwise known as William Alexander Kirkland is a Mexican actor and screenwriter. He has one child, Alexandra Kirkland.
Kirkland started his acting career in the mid-1920s, and he quickly became a sought after actor in the Mexican film industry. He acted in numerous films throughout his career, including "El Ciclón del Caribe" (1934), "La Mujer del Puerto" (1934), and "The Reader" (1935). In addition to acting, he also tried his hand at screenwriting and wrote the screenplay for the film "El Gendarme Desconocido" (1941).
Kirkland was part of a group of actors and filmmakers who were instrumental in developing the Mexican film industry in the 1920s and 1930s. He worked alongside other influential figures in Mexican cinema, such as Emilio Fernández, Dolores del Río, and Pedro Armendáriz.
Despite his success in Mexican cinema, Kirkland's career was cut short due to a tragic accident in 1946. He was severely burned on the set of the film "El Inquieto Anacobero", and he never fully recovered from his injuries. He retired from acting shortly after the accident and spent the remainder of his life out of the public eye.
Despite his early retirement from the film industry, Kirkland's contributions still remain significant in the Mexican cinema history. He was one of the pioneers who introduced the idea of including social and political themes in films, paving the way for socially conscious cinema in Mexico. His work and artistic vision have undoubtedly inspired many filmmakers who came after him. In recognition of his contributions, Kirkland was honored with the Ariel de Oro award in 1993, a prestigious award that recognizes lifetime achievement in Mexican cinema. His legacy continues to live on through his daughter, Alexandra Kirkland, who also became a prominent figure in Mexican cinema and worked as an actress and producer.
Max Wagner
Max Wagner (November 28, 1901 Torreón-November 16, 1975 Hollywood) also known as Maxwell Wagner or Max Baron was a Mexican actor, pianist and composer.
He started his acting career during the silent era of Hollywood films and appeared in over 100 movies. Wagner was known for his authoritative presence on screen and his versatility to play different characters with ease. He was often cast as a villain or a tough guy in films and worked with notable directors such as Frank Capra, Howard Hawks, and Fritz Lang.
Apart from acting, Wagner was also a talented pianist and composer. He had a degree in music and played for various orchestras and jazz bands in his early career. He also composed music for films and television shows, including the theme song for the hit series "Dragnet" in the 1950s.
Wagner's career spanned over four decades, and he retired from acting in the late 1960s. He passed away in 1975 at the age of 73 due to a heart attack.
In addition to his acting and music careers, Max Wagner was also a skilled linguist. He spoke fluent English, Spanish, German, and French, which made him a valuable asset in the film industry during his time. Wagner was also an accomplished athlete and excelled in sports such as boxing and wrestling.
Despite his success in Hollywood, Wagner experienced significant discrimination due to his Mexican heritage. He often faced typecasting and was not allowed to play roles outside of ethnic stereotypes. However, Wagner's talent and determination helped him overcome these obstacles and become a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
Wagner's legacy continues to live on through his contributions to film and music. His performances are still celebrated today, and his work in composing and playing music has been recognized as a significant part of the cultural history of Hollywood.
Domingo Soler
Domingo Soler (April 17, 1901 Chilpancingo-June 13, 1961 Acapulco) also known as Domingo Díaz Pavía was a Mexican actor and screenwriter. He had one child, Nelly Soler.
Domingo Soler began his acting career in the early 1920s, performing in theater productions in Mexico City. He made his film debut in 1933, in the film "Ahí está el detalle" directed by Juan Bustillo Oro. Over the next three decades, he appeared in over 200 films, showcasing his versatility as an actor by taking on both leading and supporting roles across a variety of genres.
Soler also had a successful career as a screenwriter, collaborating with renowned directors such as Luis Buñuel and Emilio Fernández. He wrote screenplays for films such as "Los Olvidados" (1950) and "Enamorada" (1946), both of which are widely regarded as among the greatest Mexican films ever made.
Despite his success in the film industry, Soler remained grounded and always made time for his family. He passed away on June 13, 1961, in Acapulco, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most respected and talented actors in Mexican cinema.
In addition to his success as an actor and screenwriter, Domingo Soler was also known for his philanthropic efforts. He was a founding member of the Mexican Actors Association, which was established in 1934 to advocate for better working conditions and wages for actors. Soler was also a vocal supporter of social causes, including the rights of indigenous people and the fight against poverty.
Soler's career spanned the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, during which he became one of the era's most recognizable faces. He often worked with the same group of directors and actors, including Dolores del Rio and Pedro Armendáriz, and his collaborations with Buñuel and Fernández helped to establish their reputations as some of the country's most innovative and influential filmmakers.
Today, Soler is remembered as one of the most important figures in Mexican cinema history. His contributions to the industry helped to shape it into the vibrant and successful force that it is today, and his performances continue to be celebrated by film enthusiasts around the world.
Donald Reed
Donald Reed (July 23, 1901 Mexico City-February 28, 1973 Westwood) also known as Ernesto Avila Guillen, Ernest Gillen, Ernesto Gillen or Don Reed was a Mexican actor. His child is called Joy Guillen.
Don Reed was a prominent actor during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, appearing in over 50 films throughout his career. He made his acting debut in 1937 in the film "La Valentina" and quickly became known for his versatile performances in films like "Los Tres Garcia" and "Camino de Sacramento".
In addition to his successful acting career, Don Reed was also a talented writer and director, often contributing to the scripts of the films he starred in. He collaborated with legendary Mexican director Emilio Fernandez on multiple occasions, including on the critically acclaimed film "Maria Candelaria".
Don Reed was married to actress Lupe Velez from 1944 to 1948 and the couple had one child together. Despite his success in the film industry, Don Reed experienced financial difficulties and health problems in his later years. He passed away at the age of 71 due to a heart attack in Westwood, California.
Don Reed's real name was actually Ernesto Avila Guillen, and he was born on July 23, 1901, in Mexico City. Initially, he pursued a career in law and became a licensed attorney in Mexico. However, his passion for acting led him to move to Hollywood in the 1920s to seek new opportunities. He began his career in Hollywood as an extra and soon landed his first acting role in the silent film "The Night of Love" in 1927.
Although he became a successful actor in Hollywood, Don Reed returned to Mexico in the 1930s to act in Mexican films. He soon became a household name in Mexico and was known for his versatility and range as an actor. Don Reed worked with some of the most renowned directors in the industry, including Emilio Fernandez and Luis Buñuel.
Apart from being an actor, Don Reed was also a talented writer and director. He wrote and directed several films, including "La Valentina" (1938), which was his directorial debut. He also contributed to the scripts of several popular films, including "Nosotros los Pobres" (1948) and "Pepe El Toro" (1953), among others.
Despite his success in the film industry, Don Reed struggled with financial difficulties in his later years. He suffered a heart attack in February 1973 and passed away at the age of 71 in Westwood, California, where he had been residing. Don Reed's legacy as an actor, writer, and director continues to be celebrated in both Hollywood and Mexico, and he is remembered as one of the greats of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.
Tony Roux
Tony Roux (May 7, 1901 Durango-November 9, 1976 Woodland Hills) a.k.a. Antonio Roux was a Mexican actor.
He appeared in over 100 Hollywood films throughout his career, often playing villainous or comedic roles. Roux began his acting career in Mexico in the 1920s and later moved to the United States in the 1930s, where he continued his acting career. Some of his notable film credits include "The Mark of Zorro" (1940), "Gilda" (1946), and "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948). Roux was also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Despite his success in Hollywood, Roux remained proud of his Mexican heritage and often portrayed Mexican characters in his films.
In addition to his successful film career, Tony Roux also made appearances on television shows such as "Zorro", "The Adventures of Kit Carson", and "The Lone Ranger". Roux was known for his versatility as an actor and his ability to speak both English and Spanish fluently, which made him a valuable asset in the film industry.
Outside of acting, Roux was a skilled polo player and was even a member of the Mexican Olympic polo team at the 1936 Berlin Games. He was also a talented musician and played the guitar, the piano, and the drums.
Roux was married to actress and dancer, Elsa Cárdenas, with whom he had one son. He passed away in 1976 at the age of 75 from a heart attack in Woodland Hills, California. Despite sharing the screen with Hollywood legends such as Rita Hayworth and Humphrey Bogart, Roux remains a lesser-known actor from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Héctor Mateos
Héctor Mateos (April 18, 1901 Mexico-February 13, 1957 Mexico City) also known as Hector A. Mateos or Hector Alfonso Mateos Ortiz was a Mexican actor.
He began his acting career in 1936 and quickly became known for his powerful performances in a variety of film genres, including drama, comedy, and romance. He appeared in over 70 films throughout his career, often playing supporting roles to leading actors of the time such as Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete. Apart from acting, Mateos was also a screenwriter and director, and he directed several successful films in the 1940s and 50s. He was recognized for his contributions to Mexican cinema with the Ariel Award for Best Actor in 1956. Mateos was married to Mexican actress and singer Aurora Segura, and they had two children together. His legacy in Mexican cinema continues to be celebrated by fans and film critics alike.
Mateos was born in Mexico City to a family of Spanish heritage. His parents were immigrants from Spain who had moved to Mexico to start a new life. Mateos grew up in a working-class neighborhood and was passionate about acting from a young age. He began his career on stage, performing in local theater productions before transitioning to film in the 1930s.
Mateos was known for his versatility as an actor, and he appeared in a wide range of films throughout his career. Some of his most notable roles include "Nosotros los pobres" (1948), "Los Tres Huastecos" (1948), and "El Peñón de las Ánimas" (1943). He worked with many of the top directors of the time, including Emilio Fernández, Julio Bracho, and Ismael Rodríguez.
In addition to his successful career as an actor, Mateos was also a talented writer and director. He wrote the scripts for several of the films he appeared in, including "Los Tres Huastecos" and "El Mago". He also directed several films, including "El Año de la Peste" (1948) and "La Calle de la Tentación" (1952).
Mateos's life was tragically cut short when he died of a heart attack at the age of 55. He was survived by his wife and children, as well as a legion of fans who continue to appreciate his contributions to Mexican cinema.