Fernando Casanova (actor)

Fernando Casanova
Born
Fernando Gutiérrez López

(1925-11-24)24 November 1925
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Died16 November 2012(2012-11-16) (aged 86)
Mexico City, Mexico
Other namesFred Canow
OccupationActor

Fernando Casanova - born Fernando Gutiérrez López;[1] (24 November 1925 – 16 November 2012) was a Mexican actor who began his career during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, and in the 1960s reached the height of his success, becoming one of the most popular actors at the time.

Life and career

Casanova was born Fernando Gutiérrez López[1] on 24 November 1925, though some sources state 1922.[1][2] As a teenager, he aspired to be a bullfighter, eventually leaving his studies to follow said occupation. He had the opportunity to debut in the Toreo de la Condesa in Mexico City, where he was gored on his right leg. Afterwards, Casanova would return to the bullring, but a few years afterwards, he decided to leave the profession.[3]

Casanova made his film debut in The Private Life of Mark Antony and Cleopatra (1947),[4] and began appearing in secondary roles. In one of the films he appeared in, Si Adelita se fuera con otro, Jorge Negrete, the star of the film, demanded to director Chano Urueta to not have scenes at Casanova's side, due to Casanova being taller than him.[5] He also participated School for Tramps (1955), by Rogelio A. González, alongside Miroslava and Pedro Infante. According to an anecdote, when Infante died and Casanova attended his funeral, a producer approached Casanova and told him "You should have died instead!".[6]

Casanova sought to enter the Guinness World Records for being the actor with the most starring roles.[4][7]

Personal life and death

In 2010, at the age of 85, he married his partner of several years, María Gunariz, although he already had other previous marriages.[8]

Casanova died in Mexico City on 16 November 2012 due to pulmonary complications caused by prostate cancer.[2][4][9][10] He was survived at the time of his death by his wife María and their children Fernando, Adriana and Ligia.[1]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Fernando Casanova murió a los 89 años" [Fernando Casanova dies at 89]. Yancuic (in Spanish). 17 November 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013.
  2. ^ a b Gutiérrez Segura, Eduardo (17 November 2012). "Fernando Casanova murió a los 89 años" [Fernando Casanova dies at 89]. La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 18 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Quiso ser torero" [He wanted to be a bullfighter]. La Tarde (in Spanish). 9 March 2009. Archived from the original on 13 March 2009.
  4. ^ a b c "Morre o ator mexicano Fernando Casanova, que fez mais de 150 filmes" [Mexican actor Fernando Casanova, who made over 150 films, dies]. G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 19 November 2012.
  5. ^ Serna, Enrique (1993). Jorge el bueno: la vida de Jorge Negrete. Mexico City: Editorial Clío. ISBN 978-968-69-3210-2.
  6. ^ García, Gustavo (1994). No me parezco a nadie: la vida de Pedro Infante. Mexico City: Editorial Clío. ISBN 978-968-69-3218-8.
  7. ^ Camacho, Alma Rosa (22 March 2008). "Fernando Casanova, al libro Guinness" [Fernando Casanova, to the Guinness book]. Organización Editorial Mexicana (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 December 2013.
  8. ^ Estévez, Alfredo (16 February 2010). "Se casa Fernando Casanova" [Fernando Casanova marries]. Delirium Tremens (in Spanish).
  9. ^ "Fallece el actor Fernando Casanova" [Actor Fernando Casanova dies]. El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 17 November 2012.
  10. ^ "Muerte el actor Fernando Casanova" [Actor Fernando Casanova dies]. Noticieros Televisa (in Spanish). 17 November 2012.