Fernando Rey

Biography

Fernando Rey  (September 20, 1917 – March 9, 1994) — best known as Fernando Rey — was a Spanish film, theatre, and TV actor, who worked in both Europe and the United States. A suave, international actor best known for his roles in the films of surrealist director Luis Buñuel (Tristana, 1970; Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, 1972; That Obscure Object of Desire, 1977) and as a drug lord in The French Connection (1971), he appeared in more than 150 films over half a century. The debonair Rey was described by French Connection producer Philip D'Antoni as "the last of the Continental guys". He achieved his greatest notoriety after he turned 50: "Perhaps it is a pity that my success came so late in life", he told The Times of Madrid in 1973. "It might have been better to have been successful while young, like El Cordobes in the bullring. Then your life is all before you to enjoy it."

Known For

The French Connection

as Alain Charnier

1492: Conquest of Paradise

as Marchena

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

as Don Rafael

Viridiana

as Don Jaime

Jesus of Nazareth

as Gaspar

French Connection II

as Alain Charnier

That Obscure Object of Desire

as Mathieu Faber

Return of the Seven

as Priest

The Miracle of Marcelino

as Monje narrador

Tristana

as Don Lope