Valentín Trujillo

Valentin Trujillo Gazcón 28 March 1951 4 May 2006 was a Mexican actor writer and director His career spanned 48 years where he appeared in over 140 films and directed 20 films Trujillo was born on March 28 1951 in a show business family as his grandfather was film producer Valentín Gazcón and his uncle was actor Gilberto Gazcón He made his film debut as a baby Trujillo initially studied law at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México UNAM He never completed his studies choosing instead to become an actor Trujillo made his acting debut at the age of seven in the film El Gran Pillo 1958 As a teen he got into the Columbia Pictures release Rage 1966 alongside Glenn Ford and Stella Stevens Beginning in the early 1970s Trujillo was cast often as the male lead The film Las figuras de arena 1970 directed by Roberto Gavaldón established him as a leading man He worked steadily as the leading man in action films over the next decade completing over 30 films between 1970 and 1979 In addition to action films Trujillo expanded his range in a number of films that incorporated commentary about modern social issues and politics in Mexico The film Perro Callejero 1980 won a Silver Goddess for Best Picture and Trujillo who portrayed the lead drunken character was awarded Best Actor by Premios ACE Beginning in the 1980s Trujillo stepped behind the camera as well and began writing and directing his films He released several popular action films and was soon the top box office draw in Mexico Trujillo was nominated for several Ariel Awards in the 1980s including Best Supporting Actor for El Ansia de Matar 1987 and Best Story and Screenplay for Violación1989 The latter also was the first film to costar his son Valentin Trujillo Jr Together they costarred in close to 20 films together before Trujillos untimely death Trujillo died on May 4 2006 in his sleep from a heart attack He was 55 at the time of his death