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."

Fernando Rey

Fernando Rey

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

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

Film '72 poster

Film '72

Self
Ciné regards poster

Ciné regards

Self
1492: Conquest of Paradise poster

1492: Conquest of Paradise

Marchena
Jesus of Nazareth poster

Jesus of Nazareth

Gaspar
French Connection II poster

French Connection II

Alain Charnier
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie poster

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

Don Rafael
The French Connection poster

The French Connection

Alain Charnier
A.D. poster

A.D.

Seneca
Illustrious Corpses poster

Illustrious Corpses

Security Minister
Guns of the Magnificent Seven poster

Guns of the Magnificent Seven

Quintero
Voyage of the Damned poster

Voyage of the Damned

President Bru
I promessi sposi poster

I promessi sposi

Conte zio