ALMADA, MARIO

(Mario Almada Otero)

(1922 or '23? - )

After appearing as a child with his brother inMadre querida('35), Mario Almada left films for the next several decades. He and his brother were owners of the nightclub Cabaret Señorial in Mexico City, and when Fernando began acting in films, Mario got involved in the production side. In 1965, Mario was drafted into the cast ofLos jinetes de la bruja(which he and his brother were producing, and in which Fernando was starring), after Bruno Rey was injured during shooting. By the end of the decade, Mario was co-starring with his brother in Westerns, and taking supporting roles in films likeEmiliano Zapata. In the '70s Mario was a busy character actor, often in villainous roles, but at the end of the decade he suddenly became - with and without Fernando - a leading man in numerous action pictures. Even in the '90s, Mario continues to be a "marquee" name in "videohomes." He won a Diosa de Plata as Best Male Co-Star forEl tunco Maclovio(1969), and has been twice nominated for Ariel awards: forLa viuda negra('77) and forChido Guan - tacos de oro('85).