|
N.Y. Encyclopedia
of Famous Puerto Ricans
Benicio Del Toro
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born on February
19, 1967, in San German, PR. Raised in Santurce, PR. Moved to Mercersburg, PA at
13 and went to Mercersburg Academy. For more information, read the three part
article written by Benicio for the Miami Herald.
EDUCATION
University of California at San Diego. Changed
major to acting so he could audition for a role in a school production. Decided
to pursue acting full time so he left school and moved to New York City. Studied
at Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York. Won a scholarship to The
Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting where he studied for three-four
years.
CAREER
After two years in Los Angeles, he got his first job as
a guest star on Miami Vice. Cast as lead in the play, Orphans. Casting director
saw him and asked him to audition for a role in Licence To
Kill.
INTERESTS
Painting, listening to music,
daydreaming.
FAVORITES
Line from The Usual Suspects:
"Kill
away, Mr. McManus." Kobayashi
Music:
Jazz, George Harrison,
Latin
Painter:
Julian Schnabel
Films:
Badlands,
Basquiat, Papillon
Directors:
John Huston, Martin Scorsese, John
Cassavettes, Terrence Malick, Erich von Stroheim, Adrian Brunel, Bryan
Singer
Actors with the earliest influence:
Robert De Niro, Al
Pacino, Eddie Murphy, John Malkovich
INTERESTING FACTS
Benicio
gained approximately 45 lbs. in nine weeks for his portrayal of Oscar Zeta
Acosta in Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas. He did it by, "Eating chairs,
tables, buildings and bridges. But what really pushed the balance was
donuts."
Benicio's character in Basquiat didn't have a last name in the
script. The last name "Dalmau" came from Raymond Dalmau, a Puerto Rican
basketball player in the 70's and early 80's. Raymond Dalmau wore the shirt
Benicio wears in the film when he was in the Puerto Rican National
Selection.
The best advise Benicio has ever been given regarding acting
came from Christopher Walken: "When you're in a scene and you don't know what
you're gonna do, don't do anything."
Benicio thinned his eyebrows and
shaved his hairline for his role of Fenster in The Usual Suspects.
PRAISE
"He's like an acting animal, this guy who comes
out of the forest to make movies better. He's fearless, and he has a very
distinctive imagination for character. He's one of the few actors who can make
flamboyant choices that never just say, 'Look at me.' He's not showy. If he
stands out, it's only because the rest of the people haven't risen as high to
the bar." Sean Penn, The Pledge/The Indian Runner Director
"I can
see how in certain circumstances Benicio could be unhappy. He's extremely bright
and has lots of ideas, the lion's share of which are really good. We'd meet
every few weeks for a few hours, and a lot of it was, 'Wouldn't it be more
interesting if...?' He had a huge influence on the story being much more
emotional, more interesting and truer to the culture the character sprang from.
For some people, spending time like that would be profoundly irritating. Not to
me. I'll do that all day. He was totally there and 'on' Man, he has so much to
contribute, you'd be a moron not to take advantage of it. I can't help but be
infatuated by somebody who cares that much." Steven Soderbergh, Traffic
Director
"He's one of the reasons why I wanted to do the movie. I
think he's a brilliant actor. Working with him was amazing." Ryan Phillippe,
The Way of the Gun Co-Star
"Del Toro is an exciting actor. He's
obsessed with his work. He draws the camera like a magnet because he keeps
coming up with things that are dark, brooding, dangerous and sexy." Terry
Gilliam, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas Director
"He's killed early
into the movie and he probably has, like, nine lines. But I found it the most
memorable performance of 1995. The guy just goes out and thinks, 'No one's gonna
understand what I'm doing except for me, but I'm a f***in genius.' " Matt
Damon on Benicio's performance in The Usual Suspects
"Benicio has a
wonderful mind. It's a little like firecrackers going off; he's got these great
ideas that just explode." Ed Harris, China Moon Co-Star
"More than
any other actor I've ever met, Benicio is not in pursuit of fame or recognition.
I think he's a guy who has a great disdain for popularity. He's very resistant
to playing a leading man. He would rather create a character." Christopher
McQuarrie, The Usual Suspects Writer, The Way of the Gun
Writer/Director
LINKS:
Boricuas Hall Of Fame Home Page
SenorBoriqua.net
Friday July 09, 2004