Valentín Trujillo

Atotonilco, Jalisco, Mexico

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 Violación(1989). The latter also was the first film to co-star his son, Valentin Trujillo, Jr. Together they co-starred in close to 20 films together before Trujillo's untimely death. Trujillo died on May 4, 2006 in his sleep from a heart attack. He was 55 at the time of his death.