Photo of Fernando Rey
Acting

Fernando Rey

Profession
Acting
Born
September 20, 1917 · A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
Died
March 9, 1994

Biography

Fernando Rey  (September 20, 1917 – March 9, 1994) — best known as Fernando Rey — was a Spanish film, theatre, and TV actor, who worked in both Europe and the United States. A suave, international actor best known for his roles in the films of surrealist director Luis Buñuel (Tristana, 1970; Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, 1972; That Obscure Object of Desire, 1977) and as a drug lord in The French Connection (1971), he appeared in more than 150 films over half a century. The debonair Rey was described by French Connection producer Philip D'Antoni as "the last of the Continental guys". He achieved his greatest notoriety after he turned 50: "Perhaps it is a pity that my success came so late in life", he told The Times of Madrid in 1973. "It might have been better to have been successful while young, like El Cordobes in the bullring. Then your life is all before you to enjoy it."

Known for

The French Connection poster
The French Connection
Film · 1971 · ★ 7.5
1492: Conquest of Paradise poster
1492: Conquest of Paradise
Film · 1992 · ★ 6.3
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie poster
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Film · 1972 · ★ 7.4
Jesus of Nazareth poster
Jesus of Nazareth
Series · 1977 · ★ 7.8
Viridiana poster
Viridiana
Film · 1962 · ★ 7.7
French Connection II poster
French Connection II
Film · 1975 · ★ 6.8
That Obscure Object of Desire poster
That Obscure Object of Desire
Film · 1977 · ★ 7.4
Return of the Seven poster
Return of the Seven
Film · 1966 · ★ 6.1
The Miracle of Marcelino poster
The Miracle of Marcelino
Film · 1955 · ★ 7.4
Tristana poster
Tristana
Film · 1970 · ★ 7.2
Chimes at Midnight poster
Chimes at Midnight
Film · 1965 · ★ 7.2
The Hit poster
The Hit
Film · 1984 · ★ 6.5

Filmography