Contents
Introduction
Pedro Armendáriz was one of the most famous and beloved actors of the Mexican Golden Cinema era. He starred in many films directed by Emilio Fernández, such as María Candelaria, Enamorada, and Maclovia, and formed a legendary couple with Dolores del Río. He also made the jump to Hollywood, where he worked with John Ford and appeared in films like The Fugitive, 3 Godfathers, and From Russia with Love. However, his brilliant career was cut short by a tragic fate: he committed suicide at the age of 51 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. This article will explore the life and death of Pedro Armendáriz, and how he became a legend of the Mexican cinema.
Early life and career
Pedro Armendáriz was born in Mexico City in 1912, to a Mexican father and an American mother. He was the cousin of actress Gloria Marín. After his mother died, he lived with his uncle in Texas, where he studied mechanics and journalism. He returned to Mexico in 1932, where he worked as a tour guide and a reporter. He was discovered by film director Miguel Zacarías, who heard him recite a soliloquy from Hamlet to an American tourist. He made his film debut in 1935, and soon became a popular actor in Mexican cinema.
Collaboration with Emilio Fernández
His meeting with Emilio Fernández, the renowned director known as El Indio, was a turning point in his career. Fernández gave him the opportunity to play strong and nationalist characters, such as indigenous people, peasants, and revolutionaries. He also paired him with Dolores del Río, the most beautiful and elegant actress of the time, and created a perfect contrast between them. Together, they made some of the most acclaimed films of the Golden Cinema, such as María Candelaria, which won the Palme d’Or at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival, Las Abandonadas, Bugambilia, and La Malquerida. Armendáriz also worked with María Félix, another iconic actress, in films like Enamorada and Maclovia. According to Wikipedia, Armendáriz developed the film personality traits of strong nationalist under the guidance of Fernández.
Hollywood career and cancer diagnosis
In the late 1940s, Armendáriz made the transition to Hollywood, where he was invited by John Ford, who admired his work with Fernández. He appeared in several films directed by Ford, such as The Fugitive, Fort Apache, 3 Godfathers, and The Conqueror. He also worked with other directors, such as Howard Hawks, John Huston, and Terence Young. He was the first Mexican actor to play a Bond villain, in From Russia with Love. However, his Hollywood career also exposed him to a great danger: he was one of the actors who participated in The Conqueror, a film that was shot in a location contaminated by nuclear tests. Many of the cast and crew members, including John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Agnes Moorehead, and Dick Powell, developed cancer later in their lives. Armendáriz was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1960, and underwent several surgeries and treatments, but his condition worsened.
Suicide and legacy
In 1963, Armendáriz was in Los Angeles, filming his last movie, The Happiest Millionaire. He was in constant pain and could barely walk. He decided to end his suffering by shooting himself in the chest with a revolver in his hospital room. He died on June 18, 1963, leaving behind his wife, Carmelita Bohr, and his two children, Pedro Jr. and Carmen. His death shocked the Mexican and international film industry, and he was mourned by his fans and colleagues. He was buried in Panteón Jardín, in Mexico City, next to his father. His son, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., followed his footsteps and became a successful actor, appearing in films like Licence to Kill, The Mask of Zorro, and Once Upon a Time in Mexico. He died of eye cancer in 2011, at the age of 71. Pedro Armendáriz remains one of the most respected and admired actors of the Mexican cinema, and his films are considered classics of the national and universal culture. According to Archyde, he was the beloved actor of the Golden Cinema who shook the world of entertainment with his tragic story.
