Tony Martinez (actor)
Tony Martinez | |
|---|---|
 Martinez (left) with Walter Brennan and Richard Crenna in The Real McCoys, 1962 | |
| Born | January 27, 1920 |
| Died | September 16, 2002 (aged 82) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Occupation | Film, television and theatre actor |
| Spouse(s) | Myra Martinez[1] |
| Children | 5[1] |
Tony Martinez (January 27, 1920 – September 16, 2002) was an American film, television and theatre actor. He was perhaps best known for playing "Pepino" in the American situation comedy television series The Real McCoys.[2]
Life and career[]
Martinez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico.[3] He first studied in music,[1] in which Martinez later moved to New York City, studying at the Juilliard School.[3] He played five instruments, later having his own musical ensemble that was called "Tony Martinez and His Mambo" in New York City.[1] After that, Martinez had later studied about acting at the Pasadena Playhouse.[1]
Martinez later began his film and television career, getting small roles, when he was studying at the Pasadena Playhouse.[1] In 1956, he and his musical ensemble appeared in the film Rock Around the Clock.[1] Martinez then later won the role of "Pepino" in the new ABC situation comedy television series The Real McCoys, in which he played the role as the hired Mexican farmworker.[3][4] He won the role as he was discovered by the creator and producer ,[1] while Martinez was just with his musical ensemble performing in the Sunset Strip.[4]
In his theatre career, Martinez had appeared in over 2,245 performances in the Broadway play, Man of La Mancha.[4] He played the role of "Sancho Panza".[5] After The Real McCoys ended in 1963, Martinez guest-starred in a few television programs, including, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., F Troop, My Favorite Martian, Accidental Family and Storefront Lawyers. He then wrote music for numerous films in Mexico.[4] Martinez retired his career in 2000, in which he last appeared in the cable network The Nashville Network.[3]
Death[]
Martinez died in September 2002 of natural causes in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 82.[1][4]
References[]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i McLellan, Dennis (September 21, 2002). "Tony Martinez, 82; Actor Was Among First Latinos on TV". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ Associated Press (September 28, 2002). "Tony Martinez, 82, Television Actor". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Leszczak, Bob (June 25, 2015). From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950-2000. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 217–218. ISBN 9781442242746 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e Variety Staff (September 25, 2002). "Tony Martinez". Variety. Retrieved November 13, 2002.
- ^ "Tony Martinez". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
External links[]
- 1920 births
- 2002 deaths
- People from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rican emigrants
- American people of Puerto Rican descent
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male stage actors
- American bandleaders
- 20th-century American male actors
- 20th-century Puerto Rican male actors
- Juilliard School alumni