Gabriel, Juan (1950--): [Alberto Aguilera Valadez] baby-faced singer/composer who has enjoyed great popularity since the 1970s. Born in Michoacán, he made his professional debut on TV in 1965, using the name "Adán Luna." He worked in various nightclubs over the next few years, was even arrested for robbery in 1970, but finally his luck changed and he became a top star. Starred in some 1970s and early '80s musical films, including two--El Noa Noa and Es mi vida--which are semi-autobiographical.
Galán, Alberto (1901-77): although he appeared in supporting roles as early as 1933, Galán became well-known as a second lead in some classic films of the 1940s, usually cast as "educated" (Distinto amanecer) or "artistic" (María Candelaria) types. Worked on-screen infrequently afterwards, but continued to appear on the stage and in films at least into the '60s.
Galindo, "Cavernario" (?-1999): flamboyant, homely professional wrestler who appeared in lucha libre films, both in arena action and as the occasional zombie, henchman, etc.
Galindo, Eugenia (?-1968): character actress, on-screen from the end of the silent period through the end of the 1950s. Usually cast as disapproving neighbors, maiden aunts, etc.
Gallardo, Juan (?-1999): Gallardo began as a Western/ranchera leading man (he even sings from time to time in some films) in the mid-1960s, but his slightly sinister appearance soon found him essaying villainous roles. In the 1980s and 1990s he became a staple in action films and videos.
Gallardo, Lucy (1929-2012): refined-looking Argentine-born actress and wife of Enrique Rambal (with whom she appeared from time to time), on-screen from the '50s onward. Their daughter, Rebecca Rambal, is also an actress and TV personality. Lucy Gallardo won the Best Supporting Actress Ariel in 1957 for Con quién anda nuestras hijas?, and the Best Co-Starring Actress award the following year for Bambalinas.
Gallardo, Lupita (1912-): leading lady of the 1930s and early 1940s. Married to bullfighter Pepe Ortiz, with whom she appeared in El Tigre de Yautepec (1933) and Cielito lindo (1936).
Gallardo, Rosa María (1939?--): blonde actress of the 1960s, usually as a second female lead in romantic comedies. Occasional film work later, cf Yo soy el asesino (1982).
Gálvez, José (1931-1978): stocky Colombian actor, preeminent villain in Mexican cinema from the mid-1950s through the early '70s. Directed at least one film (Azul) and some TV shows. His brother, Guillermo Gálvez, appeared in some co-productions shot outside of Mexico. José Gálvez was married to actress Graciela Nájera.
Garasa, Angel (1905-1976): horse-faced Spanish character comedian, frequently cast opposite Cantinflas. On-screen in Mexico from the 1940s into the early '70s, with occasional trips back to Spain for film work.
Garcés, Delia (?-2001): Argentine actress, on-screen in her native country since the early 1940s. Garcés was one of a number of performers and filmmakers who left Argentina when Juan Perón came to power; she briefly relocated to Mexico and starred in El (directed by Luis Buñuel) and Lágrimas robadas, both for producer Oscar Dancigers, before returning to her native land.
Garcés, Mauricio (1926-1989): [Mauricio Férez Yazbek, sometimes spelled Pérez Yazbeck] debonair actor known as "El Lobo Plateado" (the Silver Fox). Born in Tamaulipas of Lebanese heritage, Garcés made his screen debut in 1950 in La muerte enamorada. After years of supporting roles and second leads--as well as TV and stage work--he shot to stardom in the 1960s as the star of a series of comedies in which he played an incorrigible ladies' man. Despite his on-screen image as a womanizer, Garcés never married. His film career declined precipitously in the early '70s (his last film appearance was a cameo in Mi fantasma y yo in 1985), but he stayed busy on TV and in live venues. An inveterate smoker, Garcés died of lung problems in February 1989.
García, Andrés (1941--): extremely handsome, muscular leading man who made his screen debut in Chanoc (1966). Born in the Dominican Republic of Spanish parents, García was a leading sex symbol from the late '60s into the '80s. Won a well-publicized bout with cancer in the '90s by--it is claimed--using an herbal remedy. His sons Andrés Jr. and Leonardo are also actors. Nominated for a Best Co-Starring Actor Ariel in 1974 for El principio. Over the past decade, García has dedicated most of his time to telenovelas.
García, Eleazar "Chelelo" (1924-1999): tall, amiable norteño character actor, usually seen as the comic sidekick of Antonio Aguilar (more than 30 films). Chelelo was brorn in Tamaulipas, and made his film debut in 1960; he continued to appear in films until the early 1990s. His equally imposing, walrus-moustached son Eleazar García Jr. (who died in 2011) frequently appeared as villainous henchmen in action films of the 1980s and 1990s.
García, Eufrosina "La Flaca": acerbic character actress of the 1930s and 1940s. Often played irreverant servants, neighbors, etc.
García, Juan (1905-73): [Juan García Garza] round-faced comic actor and screenwriter who teamed with Gilberto Martínez Solares on many of Tin Tan's best pictures. Won the Best Supporting Actor Ariel in 1950 for Cara sucia, the same year he won the prize for Best Original Story for Comisario en turno, a remarkable feat that wasn't equalled until 1972, when Pancho Córdova also won Arieles for acting and writing, for two different films. Active on screen into the 1970s.
García, Mario "Harapos" (1913-78): bushy-haired comic actor, in minor film roles from the 1950s onward. He was a long-time stage stalwart, presenting his burlesque-style comedy in carpas and the variety theatres.
García, Sara (1895-1980): The iconic "grandmother of Mexico," Sara García was born in Veracruz of Spanish parents. She studied to be a teacher, but instead became an actress and made her screen debut in a 1917 film (her sound debut came in 1933). Well into the 1950s, García alternated roles as feisty gray-haired grandmothers--notably in Los tres García--and parts where she played matrons of her own age (like El baisano Jalil), in both comedies and dramas. She was also a veteran stage and TV performer. García's last movie was La vida difícil de una mujer fácil (1977). She died of bronchitis in November 1980. Her daughter, María Fernanda Ibáñez, appeared opposite Jorge Negrete in 1938's La madrina del diablo but died at a young age. García won the Best Co-Starring Actress Ariel in 1957 for La tercera palabra.
García Alvarez, Enrique (1890 or 98?-1973): Spanish character actor whose career began in 1922; he came to Mexico in 1938. Active in union politics, he founded the ANDA house magazine "La Voz del Actor." Usually played dignified fathers, uncles, priests , doctors, etc. Received a Diosa de Plata award for his role in Buñuel's El angel exterminador (he also worked on several other Buñuel pictures). García Alvarez died of a heart attack while on vacation in his native land. Married to Carmen Collado.
García Peña, Pascual (1908-77): actor and writer, born in San Luis Potosí, on-screen from the '40s into the '70s. On-screen, the rotund García Peña usually played comic sidekicks in rancheras. He received an Ariel nomination in 1947 for the story he wrote for Rayando el sol, and a Best Supporting Actor nomination in 1952 for Trotacalles.
García Vargas, Joaquín: SEE "Borolas"
Garibay, Emilio (?-1965): mean-looking character actor, especially in Westerns, from the '40s until his death.
Garina, Tamara (1915-?): Slavic-looking (or maybe it's just her name) character actress, on-screen from the '60s. Often plays gypsies, Europeans, etc.
Garrido, Juan: actor who starred in a number of action films and comedies in the late '80s-early '90s, some of which he produced himself.
Garza, Jaime: baby-faced, curly-haired actor, on-screen from the 1970s, for example Felipe Cazals' Canoa. Rather similar in appearance and demeanor to Miguel Angel Ferriz nieto and Arturo Beristáin.
Garza, Juan: a wrestler who appeared in many lucha libre films of the '60s and '70s, both in the ring and in bit parts. Also in a fair number of action films and comedies, like Capulina contra los monstruos.
Gatica, Lucho (1929?--): [Luis Enrique Gatica Silva] Chilean-born bolero singer and sometimes actor, in pictures like A sablazo limpio. Later produced a few films like Me casé con un cura. Married Mapita Cortés in 1960--their son Luis Gatica is also a singer/actor.
Gatica, Malú (1922-1997): [María Luz Gatica Boisier] Chilean actress and singer who made films in her native land, Brazil, Hollywood, and Mexico (8 pictures). Gatica went to the U.S. with her parents when she was 7 years old, returning to Chile in 1940. She worked in radio, theatre and films, before leaving to establish an international career in North and South American and Europe, coming back to Chile in 1962. She spent the latter part of her career appearing in telenovelas and writing, before succumbing to cancer in August 1997.
Gay, Ramón (1917 or 1922?-1960): [Ramón García Gay] Ramón Gay was born in Mexico City, and began working as a film extra in 1946. He found the profession of actor to his liking, studied with Seki Sano, and rapidly progressed through the ranks. By the 1950s, he was a romantic leading man in films, and also a popular stage and TV performer. In May 1960, Gay was shot to death while sitting in a car with Evangelina Elizondo; the killer was José Luis Paganoni, Elizondo's ex-husband.
Gazcón, Edgardo: boyish-looking and personable leading man from the Gazcón-Trujillo-de Anda extended family (presumably his father is producer Edgardo Gazcón), on-screen from the 1980s.
Gentil Arcos, Conchita: supporting actress of the '30s-50s, usually playing somebody's aunt, neighbor, or servant. A bit friendlier-looking than her sister, María Gentil Arcos, although she did play a killer in La Llorona (1933).
Gentil Arcos, María (1902 or '05?-1965): Spanish-born supporting actress of the '40s-50s. One of her best-known roles was as the wheelchair-bound, unspeaking "La Paralítica" in Nosotros los pobres (1947).
Gil, Bárbara (1933-): attractive but rather sharp-featured actress from the 1950s on, mostly in secondary female roles, although she did have a few leads in lower-level productions. At one time married to actor Miguel Córcega. Also on TV.
Giménez Cacho, Daniel: popular actor of the late '80s and '90s. Giménez Cacho was born in Spain but his family moved to Mexico when he was a year old. Has appeared in films like Sólo con tu pareja and Profundo carmesí, and also does theatrical work. Won the Best Supporting Actor Ariel in 1993 for his role as an undertaker's assistant in Cronos. Nominated in 1995 for El callejón de los milagros as Best Co-Starring Actor, and as Best Supporting Actor in the same year for Los vuelcos del corazón. In 1997 he won the Best Actor Ariel for Profundo carmesí.
Godoy, Héctor (1928 or '32?--): rather bland supporting actor and occasional second lead in films of '50s and '60s.
Golden, Diana [Diana Goldenberg Jiménez] (1965?--): strikingly attractive Colombian-born actress of the 1980s and 1990s, also a frequent telenovela participant.
Goldsmith, Gabriela: [also spelled "Goldsmied"] attractive actress of the '80s and '90s. Originally won a modeling contest in 1982-83, then attended the acting school sponsored by Televisa. Has appeared in numerous films and telenovelas.
Gómez, Jesús "Guero": [Jesús Gómez Munguía] extremely prolific bit player and character actor from the late 1940s into the 1990s. Often cast as policemen, but appeared in numerous pictures with rural settings as well.
Gómez, Leonor (1905-1974): bit player, a "familiar face" in hundreds of films, often as a cook, neighbor, street vendor, etc.
Gómez Bolaños, Roberto "Chespirito": (1929--) diminutive TV comedian who worked for years as a writer for movies, radio and TV, and in comic supporting roles before hitting it big on television in the early 1970s as "El Chavo del 8," "El Chapulín Colorado," and other characters. Starred in and directed a few films after he became famous. In 1996 Gómez Bolaños was hired as the new head of Televicine, the film production arm of corporate giant Televisa, a position he held for several years. Married to actress and telenovela producer Florinda Meza. Gómez Bolaños is also the author of a number of plays, one of which ("11 y 12") which ran more than 700 performances in a Mexico City theatre.
Gómez Cruz, Ernesto (1943--): extremely prolific, Veracruz-born character actor who made his screen debut in Los caifanes (1966). Works in films, videohomes, television, and on the stage. Arieles: Best Co-Starring Actor (1975) for La venida del Rey Olmos, Actas de Marusia (in 1976), Best Supporting Actor in 1977 for Maten el león and 1979 for Cadena perpetua; Best Actor in 1987 for El imperio de la fortuna. Nominated in 1994 as Best Supporting Actor for Vagabunda, and in 1995 as Best Actor for El callejón de los milagros. Ariel de Oro for his career achievements in 2014.
González, Carmen "Carmelita": (1928--) ingenue from the early 1950s, now much heavier and playing grandmotherly types and the occasional bordello madam or bar owner. She started out working for Raúl de Anda, later was a regular in Joselito Rodríguez's "Huracán Rodríguez" films. Earned a Best Co-Starring Actress nomination in 1949 for El cuarto mandamiento; 35 years later, in 1984, she won the Best Supporting Actress prize for Motel.
González, Dacia (1940-): sweet-looking actress who made her debut as a "vedette" (showgirl), then received bit parts in the late 1950s, moved up to female leads in the early '60s, and is still active in character parts. Married to musician Luis Arcaraz: their daughter Dacia Arcaraz is an actress who resembles her mother considerably.
González, Demetrio: handsome singer/actor of Spanish origin (born in Asturias) who chiefly starred in rancheras of the late 1950s-early 1960s. He seems to have disappeared from the screen after about 1966, but is still alive (as of late 1999).
González, Edith (1966--): sexy but innocent-looking blonde actress who began appearing as a child in films of the 1970s, moved on to ingenue roles, and gained fame for her telenovela work in shows like "Corazón salvaje." She was also the original star of the long-running play "Aventurera," based on the famous film of that title.
González, Eulalio "Piporro" (1921, '22? or 1923-2003): norteño character actor/comedian who first appeared in supporting roles in the 1950s, then became one of the top boxoffice stars of the early and mid-1960s. González was born in Nuevo León and grew up in Tamaulipas. He originally studied medicine, then switched to accounting; however, he never practiced either of these professions, first working for a newspaper and then a radio station. González moved to Mexico City an d starting working as a radionovela actor; he also picked up some minor roles in pictures like La muerte enamorada (1950). However, his big break came when he was cast as Pedro Infante's sidekick in Ahí viene Martín Corona (1952), based on a radio series of the same name. González wore old-age makeup and his character's name would become his professional nickname: "Piporro." González became a star in the '60s, playing basically the same, irrepressible norteño stereotype in pictures like El rey del tomate and El bracero del año. Nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Ariel in 1955 (for Píntame angelitos blancos), and won the award the following year for Espaldas mojadas. González also received the "Diosa de Plata" as Best Comic Actor for his role in El Pocho (1969, which he also produced, wrote, and directed).
González, Félix (1930-): occasional leading man of the early 1960s, but mostly seen in supporting roles before and since. Often cast as police inspectors.
González, Gilberto (1906-1954): Guanajato-born character actor, often in villainous roles, from Janitzio (1934) into the 1950s. He won the first Best Supporting Actor Ariel (in 1946) for his role in Canaima, and repeated in 1951 for Vino el remolino y nos alevantó. Also nominated in 1948 for La perla and in 1953 for El rebozo de Soledad. His son also became an actor, under the name Gilberto Román.
Govea, Ivonne: ingenue of the early '70s, who continued to appear in supporting roles into the '80s. Last name sometimes spelled "Gobea," first name sometimes spelled "Yvonne."
Goyri, Sergio (1957--): actor who debuted in the late '70s, became a popular leading man in action films of the 1980s, and continues to work steadily in films and TV shows. Has also directed and produced movies. His singing career has been critically attacked but his recordings are very popular, undoubtedly because of his TV and film fame. Married to actress Telly Filipini, his occasional co-star. Goyri was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Ariel in 1990 for Sabadazo.
Granados, Rosario "Charito" [Rosario Fiaschi Correa Granados] (1925-1997): Argentine-born actress (her mother was Mexican and her father was Chilean) whose greatest success came in the 1940s through the mid-1950s, especially in melodramas. Returned to the screen in character roles in the '70s, and made her last film in 1985. She also worked in the theatre and on TV. Granados allegedly had an illegitimate child with Mario Moreno "Cantinflas" in the early '40s, and was the mother of three other children. Best Actress nomination in 1950 for El dolor de los hijos.
Grau, Rojo: [Rogelio González Grau] character actor, son of director Rogelio A. González Jr., Rojo Grau made his film debut around 1970. His gaunt facial features have typecast him in supporting roles, often as crooks and low-lifes, although he also plays sympathetic, friend-of-hero roles from time to time. In 1986 he was nominated twice as Best Supporting Actor (for Escuadrón de la muerte and Gavilán o paloma) but lost to José Carlos Ruiz.
Grifell, Maruja (1907 or ' 10? -1968): supporting actress, on-screen from the '40s into the 1960s. Best Supporting Actress nomination for Todo un caballero in the 1948 Arieles.
Grifell, Prudencia (1880 or '81-1970): Spanish-born, former stage ingenue from the early 1900s who generally played sweet but feisty grannies in Mexican cinema of the 1940s and 1950s, into the early 1960s. Married to actor Paco Martínez. Best Supporting Actress Ariel in 1954 for La sexta carrera; nominated the following year for Cuando me vaya. In 1956 she took the Best Actress award for her role in Una mujer en la calle.
Grin, Guillermina (1922--): beautiful Spanish actress (born in Sevilla), on-screen in her native country as early as 1941, who came to Mexico around 1949 and made a handful of films, including Burlada, then married producer Guillermo Calderón. Her last name is pronounced--and sometimes spelled --"Green" (at least one source indicates that she was of English origin and her name was really Guillermina Green López-Ochoa).
Guardia, Maribel: Raven-haired Costa Rican-born beauty queen (she participated in the 1979 Miss Universe contest) who starred in action films and sexy-comedies in the 1980s. Continues to work in telenovelas and also sings. Lived with and had a son by singer/actor Joan Sebastian, but they are now separated. She was nominated for a Best Actress Ariel in 1987 for Terror y encajes negros.
Guash, Sara (1918-?): Chilean-born supporting actress, on-screen from about 1943 into the '80s. In her earlier years played mature but still attractive women, later specialized in character roles as rather hard women. Her last name is sometimes spelled "Guasch."
Guerra, Blanca (1952--): lovely and intelligent actress, on-screen from the 1970s. Also active in the theatre and on TV. The popular Guerra has managed to work steadily, both in commercial films and in "art" pictures (like Santa sangre for Aleja ndro Jodorowsky). Best Supporting Actress nomination in 1979 for Pedro Paramo, Best Actress nomination in 1980 for Perro callejero and in 1983 for Motel; she finally won the Best Actress prize in 1988 for Días difícile s, and then took the Best Supporting Actress award in 1994 for Principio y fin. Nominated as Best actress in 1995 for En media de la noche, Best Co-Starring Actress in 1996 for Salón México. Head of the Academia Mexicana de Ciencias y Artes Cinematográficas in 2013-14.
Guerra, Rogelio [Hildegardo Guerra] (1936--): Aguascalientes native, a sturdy leading man from the 1960s on. Since the '80s, works mostly in telenovelas rather than films. Also does stage work.
Guerrero, Carmen: actress who appeared in various Hollywood "Spanish" productions of the early '30s (including Drácula), then had the female lead in a number of Mexican pictures (including 3 in 1932) up to about 1935. Some cameo and supporting roles into the mid-1940s.
Guerrero, Raúl "Chaplín" [Raúl Guerrero Colín] (?--1984): scrawny character actor, on-screen from the 1930s through the early '70s. Despite his nickname, he was not a Charles Chaplin-imitator (in films, at least), and in fact was not even always a comic performer.
Guerrero de Luna, Consuelo (1905-1972): Madrid-born comic character actress, on-screen from 1941 through the early 1960s. Best Supporting Actress nomination in 1947 for Su última aventura. Among her best films are Arriba las mujeres , and Mi reino por un torero; also good in support of Tin Tan in pictures like La casa del terror and Locura de terror.
Guilmaín, Ofelia (1921-2005): Madrid-born character actress, on-screen since 1941, who specialized in playing stern, independent women. Her daughter Lucía Guilmain and son Juan Ferrara were both actors. Also very active on the stage and on TV.
Guinar, Roberto: singer/actor who had a couple of shots at stardom in the early 1980s; now appears mostly in films he produces himself.
Guiú, Emilia (1922-2004): blonde Spanish (born in Barcelona) emigrant actress of the 1940s and 1950s. After fleeing the Spanish Civil War and living in France, she came to Mexico and made her debut as an extra in 1943, but was soon elevated to leadin g roles and femmes fatales. Guiú also worked on the stage and on TV. Her first husband was Manuel Suárez Ballesteros, a fellow Spanish refugee in France. In Mexico, she married Enrique de la Concha, then Dr. Guillermo Méndez; after her 10-year marriage to Méndez broke up, in 1958, Guiú married Abraham Piceno, a Mexican-American rancher. She retired from the screen and moved to the U.S. to raise the six children of their combined families (Piceno was a widower). She returned for a few screen appearances in the '80s, and published the first part of her memoirs (Una estrella al desnudo, a fascinating book) in 1993. Her last acting role was in a 2000 telenovela. Guiú died on 7 February 2004 in San Diego, CA, of cancer.
Guízar, Susana (1920-1997): attractive ingenue of the later 1930s-1940s. Cousin of Tito Guízar. At one time married to a professional jai alai player.
Guízar, Tito (1908-1999): singer/actor who got his start in Mexico in the 1930s, moved to Hollywood late in the decade, then returned to Mexico in middle of the '40s. Married to the daughter of actor Manolo Noriega. His cousin Susana was a popular film actress of the '40s; Pepe (1906-1981), another cousin (some sources say his broher), was a prolific singer and composer of rancheras; Tito's daughter, Lilia Guízar, was a starlet in the '50s. Guízar was mostly off-screen from the late '50s, but he made occasional appearances thereafter (cf, Rosendo Fierro, el correo de Villa in 1984, and the all-star Reclusorio in 1995), and played Thalía's grandfather in the 1994 telenovela "Marimar."
Gurza brothers: Humberto and Miguel Gurza were animal trainers who started working in movies on the "Chanoc" series, supplying animals and appearing on-screen as actors. Humberto took over the hero's role from Gregorio Casal for three films, beginning wi th Las tarantulas (1971). Miguel, slightly more sinister in appearance, often played villains (including vampires in Chanoc vs. el tigre y el vampiro and La montaña del diablo). They have continued to appear in films from time to time, into the '90s.
Gutiérrez, Alfredo "El Turco": character actor, often in villainous parts, from the 1960s onward. Very visible in "videohomes" and action films of the '80s and '90s, where he has lately been billed as "El Turco," to distinguish him from another Alfredo Gutiérrez, who is sometimes billed as "Tarzán."
Gutiérrez, Annabelle (1934--): [sometimes billed as "Anabel"] cute teen actress of the late '40s thru the mid 1950s. Made occasional appearances thereafter, in supporting parts. Nominated as Best Juvenile Performer in 1953 for her role in Rostros olvida dos, then won the prize in 1956 for her work with Miroslava and Pedro Infante in Escuela de vagabundos.
Gutiérrez, Armando: stocky character actor of the 1950s-60s, often cast as storekeepers, bankers, doctors, etc.
Guzmán, Claudia: pert brunette actress of the 1980s. Won the Best Co-Starring Actress Ariel in 1987 for Terror y encajes negros. Also nominated in 1989 for a Best Co-Starring Actress prize for Violación and in 1990 for Violencia a domicilio.
Guzmán, Enrique (1943?--): pop singing sensation of the 1960s--originally with the Teen Tops and then a solo artist--who appeared in numerous films during the decade. Also worked extensively in television. Married at one time to actress Silvia Pinal; their daughter, Alejandra Guzmán (born in 1968), is a flamboyant, well-known pop singer who made her film debut in Verano peligroso but so far has not worked much as an actress. Enrique Guzmán was born in Venezuela, but of Mexican parents.
Guzmán, Magda [Magda Guzmán Garza] (1931--): Magda Guzmán, born in Saltillo, made her screen debut in 1941, but began to receive more substantial parts in the late 1940s and 1950s. She has also worked on the stage and is a veteran of many (more than 40) telenovelas.
Guzmán, Roberto "Flaco" [Roberto Eugenio Guzmán](1936-2002): thin (hence his nickname) character actor who made his film debut (as an actor--he reportedly appeared in the 1950s as a dancer) in the early '70s in supporting roles, then became a very prolific lead in action films and comedies in the 1980s and 1990s. Has also directed some video features. Best Co-Starring Actor Ariel nomination in 1991 for Jóvenes delincuentes. Guzmán died on 9 August 2002, a week after suffering an apparent stroke.
Guzmán Huerta, Rodolfo: see Santo, El.
Latest revision 1 June 2014. Thanks for information supplied by various contributors, including Luis Roberto Ramírez (Magda Guzmán data).
Comments
or corrections: dwilt@umd.edu