Victor Argo
Born	Victor Jimenez (1934-11-05)November 5, 1934 The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Died	April 7, 2004(2004-04-07) (aged 69) Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Occupations	Actor singer
Years active	1964–2004

Victor Argo (November 5, 1934 – April 7, 2004) was anAmerican actor ofPuerto Rican descent who usually played the part of a tough bad guy in his movies.^[1] He is best known forMean Streets (1973),Taxi Driver (1976),Hot Tomorrows (1977),The Last Temptation of Christ (1988),King of New York (1990), andMcBain (1991).

Argo was bornVictor Jimenez inThe Bronx,New York. Both of his parents were born in the town ofQuebradillas, Puerto Rico.^[2]

Argo began his career as a stage actor. Attempting to break into show business at a time when there was much prejudice againstLatino performers, Victor professionally adopted the surname "Argo" to better his casting chances, stating in an interview that he "felt the prejudice was against the name, not even against me."^[3] While performing in anOff-Broadway play during the 1960s, Argo metYoko Ono, with whom he participated in the so-called "Happening" movement. He metHarvey Keitel during the early stages of his career; the two actors remained close friends for nearly forty years and worked together on several films, includingBad Lieutenant which Argo helped persuade Keitel to accept the lead role for.^[4] In 1977, Argo became a founding member of theRiverside Shakespeare Company on New York City'sUpper West Side. As a member, he toured the parks ofManhattan playing Lord Montague.^[5]

In the 1970s, Argo made his film debut with a small part inUnholy Rollers and histelevision debut in a made-for-TV filmSmile Jenny, You're Dead. Often playing the part of the New York City 'heavy' or mobster on film, Argo was a favorite of such directors asMartin Scorsese,Abel Ferrara andWoody Allen. His film credits includeTaxi Driver,King of New York,The Rose,New York Stories,The Last Temptation of Christ,Bad Lieutenant,True Romance andCoyote Ugly. He played the father ofJennifer Lopez's character in the 2001 romantic dramaAngel Eyes. His television guest appearances includeThe Rockford Files,Wonder Woman,Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,Spenser: For Hire,Law & Order andMiami Vice. Argo lent his talents to seventy-five films and twenty-one television guest roles in total.^[6]

Outside of acting on the screen and stage, another deep passion for Argo was country music, the actor at one time having traveled toNashville to cut several song demos.^[3]

Among the films in which Argo had a role were the following:^[2]

Shortly before his death, Argo realized a lifelong dream of performing onBroadway when he was cast as Santiago, the owner of a cigar factory, in thePulitzer Prize-winning dramaAnna in the Tropics. In his last on-screen role, in the independent filmLustre by director Art Jones, Argo portrayed a New York City loan shark who retreats from his everyday, hard-nosed rants to a deeply spiritual disconnect from the world. The film was released in 2005. Argo died inNew York City atSaint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center on April 7, 2004, from complications oflung cancer at age 69. His body was donated toManhattan College for medical science. In 2005, Electronic music group Bodega System released a 12" vinyl LP which includes the track "Victor Argo".^[6]

• List of Puerto Ricans

• Victor Argo atIMDb
• What You Saw Him In (Movie Morlocks on Victor Argo)

• 1934 births
• 2004 deaths
• Male actors from the Bronx
• American male film actors
• American male television actors
• Deaths from lung cancer in New York (state)
• American actors of Puerto Rican descent
• American male stage actors
• 21st-century American male actors
• 20th-century American male actors

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
• Articles with hCards