Benicio del Toro embodies the image of a man who is most attractive to the female half of humanity. He is not a canonical handsome man, and his appearance is far from the ideal of beauty. But Benicio’s charisma and real, not glossed-over, male sexuality make him one of the most attractive male actors of recent times.
It's always very interesting to watch films with Benicio del Toro. Films starring this talented actor keep the viewer in suspense until the very end. The reason for this is his acting or his non-standard appearance – it is not so important, but his work can leave few people indifferent.
Childhood
The actor's full name is Benicio del Toro Sanchez. He was born in the beautiful city of San Juan. It is the capital of the island state of Puerto Rico, located in the Caribbean Sea. The city is one of the oldest European settlements, and the island itself was discovered by Christopher Columbus. In this tropical seaside place, in the family of a lawyer, Benicio del Toro was born on February 19, 1967, whose filmography will be replenished with new interesting works every year in the future.
After the death of his mother, Benicio left for America. There he lived with relatives, in a small provincial town. At his father's urging, he went to college and began studying business. As the actor later told reporters, he completely accidentally enrolled in an acting course in college. This was done only for selfish reasons - it was necessary to accumulate a certain number of hours of training and not work too hard. Although even in his youth, his older brother advised Benicio to become an actor. But he then took this proposal as a joke. Probably, Gustavo (the actor’s brother) already noticed certain creative abilities in him.
I achieved everything myself
In today's Hollywood, where acting, music and modeling clans seem to have captured the entire entertainment market, people who have made it on their own are doubly respected. No one helped Benicio, not even his own parents, who carefully tried to raise a successful entrepreneur, but missed the mark by raising a wayward filmmaker. Against everyone else, the guy dropped out of business school in California and went to New York to study drama. But he didn’t stay there for long either, deciding to move to the holy of holies - Hollywood, where he took classes from theater teachers and actively went to auditions. At the beginning of his career, the guy even appeared in Madonna's video for the song La Isla Bonita.
"You'll have to become someone"
Benicio del Toro said these words in an interview when he was asked how he became an actor.
Benicio quickly abandoned his studies at college and tried to study in New York at the School of Dramatic Art, but it didn’t work out there either. Then he leaves for Los Angeles, where he studies privately with theater mentors for several years. The first role played by Benicio in 1987 was very modest. It was an episode of Miami Vice, a popular television series at the time.
The actor’s favorite film with his participation is “Shorty Big Shot.” In it, he finally got a role with words, and even barking. For the actor, this film was the beginning of his film career.
For almost 10 years, the actor starred in minor roles. These were mainly bodyguards, gangsters, drug lords and other criminals. 1998 finally brings him a role in the cult film “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and success after the film’s release. Now Benicio is actively filming with the best directors of Hollywood and in the company of legends and stars of American cinema.
In addition to the roles of scoundrels and lawbreakers, the actor also has dramatic roles. Benicio del Toro, whose filmography was expanded with the thriller “The Wolf Man” in 2010, superbly played the main character in it – a werewolf. This is an interesting remake of the 1941 film. Although the film was received lukewarmly by critics, it became very popular among underground fans. In it, the actor played a good guy who, after being bitten by a werewolf, becomes the focus of evil.
The actor believes that Hollywood underestimates monsters and villains in movies. Although he once admitted that he would like to play in a romantic comedy, he is not offered a role in such films.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
- USA, 1998.
- Drama, comedy, adventure.
- Duration: 118 minutes.
- IMDb: 7.7.
Journalist Raoul Duke and his lawyer Dr. Gonzo travel to Las Vegas. Duke should write an article about the famous Mint 400 race. But the trip quickly turns into a psychedelic trip due to the large amount of drugs. Having failed to collect materials for the article, the heroes go to the casino.
The next milestone in del Toro's career was the image of Dr. Gonzo in the film adaptation of the famous book by Hunter Thompson. In preparation for their roles, the actors studied real prototypes from which their characters were based. Johnny Depp even lived with Thompson himself for several months and traded his car.
Benicio del Toro did not have such an opportunity: lawyer Oscar Z. Acosta (the prototype of Gonzo) went missing back in the mid-seventies. However, the actor carefully studied his biography and habits and even gained 18 kilograms for the role.
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Oscar as recognition of talent
Some would say that the most coveted award for any actor, the Oscar, is not always given fairly. Indeed, many wonderful actors and actresses have not yet received this coveted statuette, although they have long been recognized and loved by the audience. In some ways, the award ceremony is reminiscent of a lottery - whether you are lucky or not. Some find themselves in the company of too strong stars in the nomination, others acted in the wrong film. Benicio del Toro was lucky in this sense. The role he played in “Traffic” gave him a long-awaited award in 2001.
In addition to the Oscar, the actor has many other prizes. He especially appreciates the award at the Cannes Film Festival for his very talented portrayal of Che.
Biography
Benicio del Toro was born on February 19, 1967 in the city of San German, in the family of lawyer Gustavo Adolfo del Toro Bermundez and Fausta Sanchez Rivera. The actor has a brother named Gustavo, he is two years older than him and currently works as a pediatric oncologist in Manhattan. Benicio has Catalan roots on his father's side and Basque on his mother's side. Also, according to the actor, he has Native American roots. Benicio is related to Puerto Rican basketball player Carlos Arroyo, pop singer Rebeca Pous del Toro and singer Eleso del Toro.
As a child, the actor was called “Skinny Benny” and “Beno”; he was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school. When Benicio was 9 years old, his mother died from the effects of hepatitis. At 12, his father sent his son to relatives in the United States in the small town of Mercerburg in Pennsylvania, where Benicio was assigned to a local boarding school. After school, at the insistence of his father, Benicio del Toro entered the University of California at San Diego, where he studied business. Having become interested in theater, he dropped out of college and went to New York, where he entered the Circle In The Square
. For some reason, his studies in New York did not work out, and Benicio left for Los Angeles, where for three years he took lessons from famous theater teachers Stella Adler and Arturo Mendoza.
Benicio del Toro: the actor's personal life
His extraordinary charisma and charming smile, coupled with his famous sideways glance, may explain Benicio’s great success with the most beautiful women in Hollywood. Those who met him in person unanimously note the actor’s extraordinary impressiveness and sexuality. It is not surprising that neither Chiara Mastroianni, nor Valeria Golino (he was engaged to her for 4 years), nor Alicia Silverstone could resist his charm. But no one could keep Benicio del Toro by his side. The press keeps hoping that someday he will settle down and find a family. But the actor only laughs in response to questions about marriage and frankly says that a bunch of offspring running around the house and a wife in the kitchen is not for him.
Even the birth of his daughter in 2011 did not force del Toro to marry her mother, actress Kimberly Stewart. Although as a father he is very good. Benicio del Toro (the actor's photo confirms this) takes long walks with the baby.
Benicio del Toro - biography, films, photos
- Actors
29/09/2014
Anna Savchenko
208
Benicio del Toro was lucky to become one of the few Puerto Rican actors to receive an Oscar award for his role in the film drama Traffic. Not only this one, but almost all films with Benicio del Toro are filled with deep drama.
Biography of Benicio del Toro:
The actor was born in 1967, on February 19, in the capital of Puerto Rico. The boy's father dreamed that his son would follow in his footsteps, that is, become a lawyer, but fortunately for us, Benicio made a different choice.
Del Toro's striking appearance is determined by his Catalan roots on his father's side and Basque roots on his mother's side. Also, according to Benicio's father, he has a genetic connection with the indigenous Indians of America.
When Beni was 9 years old, a terrible event happened in his life: his mother died of hepatitis. Three years later, Benicio’s father sent him to his relatives in Mercerburg, where the boy was able to continue his studies at a boarding school. Benicio had no problems here - sociable and hooligan, del Toro was able to quickly get used to it and find friends who took him with them to cafes and parties.
After graduating from school, at the insistence of his father, del Toro entered the University of California, where he learned the intricacies of doing business. Soon the young man became interested in theater and abandoned his studies for the New York acting school. As the actor later recalls, it was his brother who first noticed the makings of acting talent in him.
For unknown reasons, his studies are interrupted, and Benicio leaves for Los Angeles, to the school of Stella Adler and Arturo Mendoza.
Our hero’s exotic appearance attracted music producers: in 1986, he was invited to participate in the filming of Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita” video. If you watch the clip carefully, Benny can be seen sitting on the hood of the Lincoln.
Benicio del Toro photo No. 2
The first debut of the future celebrity happened during his student years, namely in 1987, when del Toro starred in the hit series of that time, Miami Vice. Soon the actor was given a role in the comedy “Big Top Pee-wee”. Then there is a lull for a couple of years, but our hero does not despair, because he is firmly confident in his success.
And indeed, in 1989 he was offered to star in the action film “License to Kill” - where the actor played a security guard, a negative character.
Soon other films with Benicio del Toro will be released, but in them he played minor roles.
1995 brought Benicio a very important event - work on the film “The Usual Suspects.” The actor’s brilliant performance was awarded the “Independent Spirit” award. Another victory in this competition came with her role in the film “Basquiat,” released in 1996.
The series of dramatic films was diversified by the action comedy “Excess Baggage” (1997), in which Alicia Silverstone became Benya’s partner.
Despite the fact that the film turned out to be very sincere and interesting, it failed at the box office, but critics appreciated Benicio’s bright performance.
Another unusual job for Benicio was participation in the filming of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998). For the sake of filming the film, the actor had to put on weight by 20 kilograms, but he coped with his task perfectly. After this role, the actor swore not to experiment with weight, apparently such transformations are difficult for him.
What follows is one of the most unusual works of the 2000s for Benicio del Toro - Guy Ritchie's Snatch. Despite the fact that his character, Frankie "Four Fingers", takes up little screen time, he greatly enhances the comedy with his acting and charismatic appearance.
Benicio del Toro photo #3
Del Toro’s further career is developing rapidly - filming in Sean Penn’s film “The Promise”, work on the thriller “Harried”.
A significant contribution to the development of his career is the role of Detective Raferty in the original drama “Sin City” (2005), which became a hit of the season.
Another drama where Benicio del Toro was able to fully demonstrate his brilliant dramatic talent is “What We Lost.” The lyrical and sad picture deserves the highest ratings.
In 2008, viewers saw the film "Che" - Benicio del Toro masterfully brought to life the image of Ernesto Che Guevara. For his bright dramatic performance and transformation, the actor was awarded the Goya Award.
In 2010, a rather interesting work “Wolf” with Benicio del Toro was released - a remake of the 1941 thriller about a werewolf. The oppressive atmosphere, good makeup and excellent acting ensured the film high ratings.
This is what the actor himself says about “The Wolf”: “Despite the fact that a role in such a horror film is not exactly what I want as an actor, I was extremely lucky to work with the film’s team. With such a talented cameraman, I can play anyone, even the hunchback from Notre Dame.”
In 2012, Benicio del Toro appeared before fans as a director: he directed one of the short stories in the film “Havana, I Love You.”
Benicio del Toro photo #4
One of the most notable works of Benicio del Toro’s recent years is “Wanted,” where the actor brilliantly played a cruel and merciless drug cartel assistant named Lado.
Next year, the original drama “Jimmy P” will be released, where the actor played an Indian who is worried about psychological illnesses that worsened after World War II. Unfortunately, the film was not released in Ukraine.
At the moment, it is known that Benicio del Toro has been invited to star in the film “Inherent Vice”, as well as “Paradise Lost”, where he is supposed to embody the image of the legendary drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Also, the actor agreed to shoot in the action film “A Perfect Day,” which tells about the work of humanitarian mission employees located in a war zone.
In 2014, the fantastic action movie Guardians of the Galaxy was released to the masses, where the actor brought to life the vivid image of the Collector.
As for Benicio’s personal life, he had affairs with Chiara Mastroianni, a long-term relationship with actress Valerie Golino, and there were also rumors of an affair with Scarlett Johansson.
In 2011, Kimberly Stewart, Thoreau's former flame at the time, gave birth to a girl, Delilah Genevieve. Although Kimberly has become an “ex”, the actor rightly notes that the child is not to blame for anything, and often walks with little Delilah.
Convinced bachelor Beni explains his reluctance to commit life to a woman this way: “I live in my cave and I don’t want a woman to put things in order there. I have enough turtles and dogs, one of which is a huge St. Bernard.”
This is how he is, the wayward and talented Benicio del Toro. As we can see, the absence of a wife does not interfere, but even helps the actor in achieving his intended goal. We can only wish him more interesting and extraordinary roles.
Video trailer for the film "Che" with Benicio del Toro
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Hobbies and interests
The world-famous actor has his own idols. These include the boxer Muhammad Ali, whom he admired in his youth, and the artists Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso, who command deep respect today.
The actor's two favorite leisure hobbies are drawing and photography. Well, the creative personality Benicio does not want to be content with just working in films. In addition, as a child he really loved basketball, and these days he often plays it with friends. He also loves music, which helps to maintain peace of mind and tune in to the role.
Personal life
The role of a gloomy macho was assigned to the actor not only in films. The personal life of Benicio Del Toro consists of several vibrant novels, none of which resulted in marriage. The beauties, who thought that they had managed to conquer and “tame” the star, had to be disappointed every time.
Chiara Mastroianni and Benicio Del Toro
Despite Benicio’s admission that love is an artist’s drug, he “uses it” without losing control of himself. Del Toro had an affair with the beauty and daughter of two stars, Chiara Mastroianni. Then a love story happened with Alicia Silverstone and Valeria Golino. With the latter, the artist almost decided to get married, but the engagement remained without a logical continuation.
Actress Kimberly Stewart went further than other beauties: she gave birth to Benicio's lovely daughter Dililah. But even this circumstance did not shake the star’s desire to remain an eligible bachelor.
Benicio Del Toro and Kimberly Stewart with their daughter
Although the actor did not continue his relationship with Stewart, he takes an active part in his daughter’s life.
The artist does not have accounts on social networks. At least he doesn't talk about it. But Benicio’s fans maintain fan pages for their favorite actor on Instagram, where they post stills from films and photos found on the Internet.
Since his youth, the artist has admired Muhammad Ali, and artists Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso command respect from Del Toro. He himself enjoys drawing and photography.
Actor Benicio Del Toro
In addition, the artist has loved basketball since childhood. And now he often plays it with friends.
Benicio also loves music. She helps the celebrity tune into the role and remain calm.
