Fernando Rey

Fernando Casado Arambillet, better known as Fernando Rey, was a renowned Spanish film, theatre, and television actor, with over half a century of acting experience. A suave international figure, he worked in both Europe and the United States, and was known for his roles in the films of surrealist director Luis Buñuel and as the drug lord Alain Charnier in The French Connection. He appeared in more than 150 films over his substantial career.

Rey was known to have begun his career in films as an extra, choosing his stage name Fernando Rey. His career was rich and varied, with a prolific run in film, radio, theatre, and television. Rey also shone through his work as a dubbing actor for Spanish television. He acted in four film versions of Don Quixote in different roles. Fernando Rey's international career took off in 1958 and he worked with esteemed directors like Roger Vadim, Orson Welles, and Luis Buñuel, the latter of whom he became both the preferred actor and close friend. He starred in acclaimed films like Viridiana, Tristana, and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. He reprised his role as the French villain Alain Charnier in the sequel to The French Connection. The later years of his career saw Rey working more in Spain, with his last screen appearance being in the Spanish black comedy El cianuro ... ¿sólo o con leche?. Rey turned heads throughout his career, winning awards like the Best Actor award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival for Elisa, vida mía.