Victor Argo

Victor Argo (born Victor Jiménez; November 5, 1934 – April 7, 2004) was an American actor and musician. Known for his "jowly, lived-in face and a deep voice that suggested danger ahead," he was a regular in the films of directors Martin Scorsese and Abel Ferrara, often playing tough or intimidating characters.

Early life Argo was born Victor Jiménez in The Bronx, New York to Puerto Rican parents from Quebradillas.Rotten Tomatoes Prior to his acting career, he worked variously as a jewelry seller, a printer and a taxi driver.

Attempting to break into show business at a time when there was much prejudice against Latino performers, he 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."

Career Stage Argo began his acting career on-stage. While performing in an Off-Broadway play during the 1960s, Argo met Yoko Ono, with whom he participated in the 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.Bad Lieutenant − DVD commentary by Abel Ferrara 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."Shakespeare on the Drive," The New York Times, August 19, 1977.

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.

Screen Argo lent his talents to nearly 70 theatrical films and 40 television films and series.

Argo made his film debut in February of 1972 in Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues. Argo appeared later that same year in June in Boxcar Bertha, directed by Martin Scorsese, as a railroad detective. Also that year, he had a small role in Unholy Rollers (November 1972). Often playing the part of the New York City 'heavy' or mobster on film, Argo was a favorite of such directors as Scorsese, Abel Ferrara and Woody Allen.

His film credits include Taxi Driver (1976), King of New York (1990), The Rose (1979), New York Stories (1989), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Bad Lieutenant (1992), True Romance (1993), and Coyote Ugly (2000). He played the father of Jennifer Lopez's character in the 2001 romantic drama Angel Eyes.

On television in February of 1973 Argo appeared on The Waltons, followed by All in the Family in September that same year, and Kojak afterwards. In 1974, he appeared in the made-for-TV film Smile Jenny, You're Dead. Also in the 1970s, Argo's television guest appearances include Starsky & Hutch (1975), The Rockford Files and Wonder Woman both in 1977, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)

In 1985, Argo appeared on The Equalizer episode "The Defector" as O'Hare, who poses as a police officer and puts Melissa Leo's character, Russian ballerina Irina Dzershinsky, into "protective" custody by order of the KGB. Other appearances in the 1980s include, Spenser: For Hire (1985), Miami Vice (1988), and episodes of Law & Order (1992, 1997) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2003). In one of his final roles, Argo played Chuck Manetta, a tough-talking soccer grandpa, in the independent feature, Personal Sergeant, released in 2004.

In his last 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 retreat from the world. The film was released in 2005. In a review, Jeannette Catsoulis at The New York Times writes that Argo's "fireplug body and throaty growl -- emanating from a face resembling a rather sad bulldog -- added texture and memorability to characters who might easily have disappeared in a fog of stereotype."

Music 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.

Death 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".

Filmography

Film Theatrical films in which Argo had a role follow.

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 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 (2004, filmed in 2003) as Chuck Manetta Lustre (2005, filmed in 2003) as Hugo (final film role)

Television

+ Year Title Role Notes 1973 The Waltons Zvelei Episode: "The Gypsies" 1973 All in the Family Mr. Estrada Episode: "We're Having a Heat Wave" 1974 Smile Jenny, You're Dead Sgt. Richard Marum TV movie 1974 Kojak Joseph Crespi Episode: "The Chinatown Murders" 1975 Force Five Frankie Hatcher TV movie 1975 Starsky & Hutch Rudy Solenko Episode: "Lady Blue" 1977 Wonder Woman Jason Episode: "Last of the Two Dollar Bills" 1977 The Rockford Files Jud Brown 1 episode 1979 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Raphael Argus 2 episodes 1981 Dream House Ramirez TV movie 1985 Spenser: For Hire Hitman 1 episode 1985 The Equalizer O'Hare Episode: "The Defector" 1986 Florida Straits Pablo Cheruka TV movie 1988 Miami Vice Commandante Salazar 2 episodes 1990 Johnny Ryan Frank Costello TV movie 1990 Vendetta: Secrets of the Mafia Persico TV miniseries 1992 Law & Order Jose Tirado Episode: "Cradel to Grave" 1995 Dark Eyes Rray Cedeno 1 episode 1996 Sins of Silence Nick DiMatteo TV movie 1997 Law & Order Enrique Flores Episode: "Barter" 2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Mr. Garcia Episode: "See Me"

Victor Argo

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