Benicio del Toro

26xK...gHma

22 Feb 2024

Benicio del Toro

Benicio Monserrate Rafael del Toro Sánchez, born on February 19, 1967, is a Puerto Rican actor known for his exceptional performances across various film genres. He has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards for his roles.
One of del Toro's most celebrated performances came in the film Traffic (2000), where he portrayed the morally conflicted police officer Javier Rodriguez. His portrayal earned him an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, and a Silver Bear, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor.

Del Toro gained recognition for his breakout role as the eccentric and incomprehensible crook Fred Fenster in The Usual Suspects (1995). He also delivered notable performances as Benny Dalmau in Basquiat (1996), for which he won consecutive Independent Spirit Awards, and as Dr. Gonzo in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998).
In Snatch (2000), del Toro portrayed the gambling addict Franky Four Fingers, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile actor capable of embodying complex characters. He also portrayed the predatory antagonist Jackie Boy in Sin City (2005) and revolutionary Che Guevara in Che (2008), earning him accolades at prestigious film festivals.

Del Toro's diverse range of roles includes the Collector in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, drug lord Pablo Escobar in Escobar: Paradise Lost (2014), and Lawrence Talbot in the 2010 remake of The Wolfman. He also portrayed the mysterious codebreaker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).

In 2018, del Toro starred as Richard Matt in the Showtime miniseries Escape at Dannemora, showcasing his talent on the small screen as well. His performance earned him a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, highlighting his versatility across different mediums.

Benicio del Toro was born on February 19, 1967, in San Germán, Puerto Rico, to Gustavo Adolfo del Toro Bermúdez and Fausta Genoveva Sánchez Rivera, both of whom were lawyers. He has an older brother named Gustavo, who holds a prominent position at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

His ancestry includes Catalan and Basque roots, with his great-grandfather, Rafael Rivera Esbrí, being a notable figure in the history of Ponce, Puerto Rico, having been one of the heroes of the El Polvorin fire and later serving as the city's mayor.
During his childhood, del Toro spent most of his time in Santurce, a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He attended the Academia del Perpetuo Socorro, a Roman Catholic school in Miramar, Puerto Rico. However, tragedy struck at the age of nine when his mother passed away from hepatitis.

At the age of 15, del Toro relocated with his father and brother to Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, where he attended the Mercersburg Academy for high school. Following his graduation, he initially pursued a business degree at the University of California, San Diego, at the suggestion of his father. However, his passion for acting led him to drop out and pursue training under acclaimed acting teachers such as Stella Adler and Arthur Mendoza in Los Angeles, as well as at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City.

Benicio del Toro began his acting career with small television roles in the late 1980s, often portraying thugs and drug dealers in shows like Miami Vice and Drug Wars: The Camarena Story. He also appeared as a background character in Madonna's music video for "La Isla Bonita" in 1987.

Del Toro transitioned to film roles with appearances in Big Top Pee-wee (1988) and as Dario in the James Bond film Licence to Kill (1989). Throughout the early 1990s, he continued to build his resume with roles in films such as The Indian Runner (1991), Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992), and Fearless (1993).

However, it was his breakout role in The Usual Suspects (1995) that propelled del Toro to wider recognition. His portrayal of the mumbling, wisecracking Fred Fenster earned him an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male and established him as a notable character actor. This success led to stronger roles in both independent and major studio films, including Basquiat (1996), The Funeral (1996), and The Fan (1996).

In 1998, del Toro underwent a significant physical transformation for his role as Dr. Gonzo in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, gaining over 40 pounds to embody the character. His performance in the surrealistic film, directed by Terry Gilliam, earned him critical acclaim and further showcased his versatility as an actor.

Del Toro's career reached new heights in 2000 with his performances in multiple acclaimed films. He starred in The Way of the Gun and delivered a standout performance in Steven Soderbergh's Traffic, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal of Javier Rodriguez, a Mexican border policeman, garnered widespread praise and marked a significant milestone in his career. He also appeared in Snatch and The Pledge the same year.

In the following years, del Toro continued to impress audiences with his performances in films like 21 Grams (2003), Sin City (2005), and Things We Lost in the Fire (2007). His versatility and dedication to his craft have solidified his reputation as one of the most talented actors of his generation.

In 2008, Benicio del Toro received the Prix d'interprétation masculine (Best Actor Award) at the Cannes Film Festival for his portrayal of Che Guevara in the biographical films The Argentine and Guerrilla (together known as Che). During his acceptance speech, del Toro dedicated his award to Che Guevara and director Steven Soderbergh. He was also awarded the 2009 Goya Award for Best Actor for his role as Guevara. Despite critical acclaim for his performance, del Toro and the film were not nominated for any Academy Awards, prompting disappointment from fellow actor Sean Penn, who expressed surprise and dismay during his acceptance speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

In 2010, del Toro starred in and produced the remake of Lon Chaney Jr.'s classic cult film The Wolf Man. He also made history as the first male model to be featured in the Campari calendar in 2011. Del Toro appeared as The Collector in Marvel Studios' Thor: The Dark World (2013) and reprised the role in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018).

In Sicario (2015), del Toro delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Alejandro Gillick, a Mexican ex-prosecutor seeking revenge for the killing of his wife and daughter. He reprised his role in the sequel Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018). Del Toro also appeared in a Heineken television advertisement in 2016, humorously addressing fans mistaking him for Antonio Banderas. In 2017, he portrayed DJ, a supporting antagonist in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
In 2021, del Toro starred in Wes Anderson's film The French Dispatch as Moses Rosenthaler, showcasing his versatility in portraying a mentally disturbed artist. Throughout his career, del Toro has consistently delivered powerful and memorable performances across a diverse range of roles, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood's most talented actors.