Antonia Rey (born Maria Antonia Francesch, October 12, 1926 – February 21, 2019) was a

Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...

n-born

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

actress.

Life and career

Rey was born in

Havana Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.

, the daughter of Emilia (

née A birth name is the name of a person given upon birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name, or the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a birth certificate or birth re ...

Rangel), a nurse, and Antonio Francesch, a dentist. She married theatre director Andres Castro in 1958during the intermission of a play. Despite offers of prominence in their fields, they chose to flee communist Cuba in 1961. Rey's Broadway credits include ''The Rose Tattoo'' (1995), ''The Ritz'' (1975), ''A Streetcar Named Desire'' (1973), ''42 Seconds from Broadway'' (1973), ''The Engagement Baby'' (1970), ''Camino Real'' (1970), ''Mike Downstairs'' (1968), and ''Bajour'' (1964). Rey is better known for her cameos in various movies like ''

Kiss Me, Guido ''Kiss Me, Guido'' is a 1997 independent comedy film. Written and directed by Tony Vitale (a former location manager) and produced by Ira Deutchman and Christine Vachon, it stars Nick Scotti, Anthony Barrile, Anthony DeSando and Craig Chester ...

'' (1997), ''

Jacob's Ladder Jacob's Ladder ( he, סֻלָּם יַעֲקֹב ) is a ladder leading to heaven that was featured in a dream the biblical Patriarch Jacob had during his flight from his brother Esau in the Book of Genesis (chapter 28). The significance of th ...

'' and ''

King of the Gypsies The title King of the Gypsies has been claimed or given over the centuries to many different people. It is both culturally and geographically specific. It may be inherited, acquired by acclamation or action, or simply claimed. The extent of the p ...

'', as well as the TV-movie pilot for ''

Kojak ''Kojak'' is an American action crime drama television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theodopolis "Theo" Kojak. Taking the time slot of the popular ''Cannon'' series, it ...

'' entitled ''

The Marcus-Nelson Murders This is a list of episodes for the television series '' Kojak''. The first five seasons ( Pilot + 118 ep.) were aired on CBS from 1973 until 1978. CBS also commissioned a pair of TV movies in 1985 and 1987. ABC revived ''Kojak'' in 1989 for five ...

''. She has also appeared in shows such as '' Who's the Boss?'', ''

Third Watch ''Third Watch'' is an American crime drama television series created by John Wells and Edward Allen Bernero that aired on NBC from September 26, 1999, to May 6, 2005, with a total of 132 episodes spanning over six seasons. It was produced by ...

'', ''

Law & Order ''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise. ''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...

'' and ''

Law & Order: Criminal Intent ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' is an American police procedural Drama (film and television), drama television series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and Executive producer#Motion pictures and television, p ...

''. Rey's final role was Assunta Bianchi, in the television series '' Happy!''; her character dies in the second to last episode of the series, which aired three months after Rey's death, and featured a closing “In Memory” credit dedicated to Rey. In 2003, she received the HOLA Lifetime Achievement Award from the

Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) is an active arts service and advocacy organization founded in 1975. It is in the United States and is dedicated to Hispanic artists, actors and actresses. It is not to be confused with H.O.L.A., ...

(HOLA).

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

* 1926 births 2019 deaths Cuban film actresses American film actresses American television actresses Cuban emigrants to the United States Actresses from Havana 20th-century Cuban actresses 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses {{US-tv-actor-1920s-stub