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Victor Argo
Victor Argo
Born	Victor Jimenez; November 5, 1934; The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Died	April 7, 2004 (aged 69); Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Occupations	Actor; singer;
Years active	1964–2004

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.^[1] He is best known for Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), Hot Tomorrows (1977), 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.^[2]

Professional career

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."^[3] 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.^[4] 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.^[5]

In the 1970s, Argo made his film debut with a small part in Unholy Rollers and his television debut in a made-for-TV film Smile Jenny, You're Dead. 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, King of New York, The Rose, New York Stories, The Last Temptation of Christ, Bad Lieutenant, True Romance and Coyote Ugly. He played the father of Jennifer Lopez's character in the 2001 romantic drama Angel Eyes. His television guest appearances include The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Spenser: For Hire, Law & Order and Miami Vice. Argo lent his talents to seventy-five films and twenty-one television guest roles in total.^[6]

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.^[3]

Filmography

Among the films in which Argo had a role were the following:^[2]

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)^[7] as Chuck Manetta
Lustre (filmed in 2003; released in 2005) as Hugo (final film role)

Later years

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 on-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 disconnect 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".^[6]

References

^ McKinley, Jesse (April 9, 2004). "Victor Argo, 69; Played Heavies In Scorsese Films". The New York Times.
^ ^a ^b Rotten Tomatoes
^ ^a ^b "Victor Argo, 69". Chicago Tribune. 12 April 2004.
^ Bad Lieutenant − DVD commentary by Abel Ferrara
^ "Shakespeare on the Drive," The New York Times, August 19, 1977.
^ ^a ^b "San Diego Tribune".
^ Home DVD, Monarch (27 June 2006). "Personal Sergeant (2006)". Amazon. Retrieved 2006-06-27.