Joaquín Martínez (November 5, 1930 – January 3, 2012) was a Mexican film, television, and theatre actor. Often appearing in

Westerns The Western is a genre of fiction typically set in the American frontier (commonly referred to as the "Old West" or the "Wild West") between the California Gold Rush of 1849 and the closing of the frontier in 1890, and commonly associated wit ...

, Martínez had roles in '' Jeremiah Johnson'', in which he played a

Crow A crow is a bird of the genus ''Corvus'', or more broadly, a synonym for all of ''Corvus''. The word "crow" is used as part of the common name of many species. The related term "raven" is not linked scientifically to any certain trait but is rathe ...

chief, and '' Ulzana's Raid'', which was directed by

Robert Aldrich Robert Burgess Aldrich (August 9, 1918 – December 5, 1983) was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. An iconoclastic and maverick '' auteur'' working in many genres during the Golden Age of Hollywood, he directed main ...

and co-starred

Burt Lancaster Burton Stephen Lancaster (November 2, 1913 – October 20, 1994) was an American actor. Initially known for playing tough characters with tender hearts, he went on to achieve success with more complex and challenging roles over a 45-year caree ...

. Martínez was often typecast in roles that stereotyped

Latinos Hispanic and Latino Americans are Americans who have a Spanish or Latin American background, culture, or family origin. This demographic group includes all Americans who identify as Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race. According to th ...

, Native Americans, and

Mexicans Mexicans () are the citizens and nationals of the Mexico, United Mexican States. The Mexican people have varied origins with the most spoken language being Spanish language, Spanish, but many also speak languages from 68 different Languages o ...

, but he frequently changed and reworked his characters through his acting, sometimes causing tensions with a production's director.

Early life

Martínez was born on November 5, 1930, in

Cozumel Cozumel (; ) is an island and municipality in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, opposite Playa del Carmen. It is separated from the mainland by the Cozumel Channel and is close to the Yucatán Channel. The ...

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

. His interest in acting led him to study

method acting Method acting, known as the Method, is a range of rehearsal techniques, as formulated by a number of different theatre practitioners, that seeks to encourage sincere and expressive performances through identifying with, understanding, and expe ...

under Seki Sano.

Career

His professional breakthrough came in the 1967 Mexican dramatic film, ''

Pedro Páramo ''Pedro Páramo'' is a novel by Mexican writer Juan Rulfo, first published in 1955. This novel showcases the roots of Mexican culture and its beliefs on afterlife through deeply complex characters, spirituality, and a constant transition betwee ...

'', which was directed by Carlos Velo and premiered at the

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...

that same year. He moved to

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, shortly after making ''Pedro Páramo'', where he worked as a professional film, television, and stage actor for more than 30 years. In ''Jeremiah Johnson'', which was set in the

American West The Western United States (also called the American West, the Western States, the Far West, the Western territories, and the West) is census regions United States Census Bureau As American settlement in the U.S. expanded westward, the mea ...

shortly after the

Mexican American War Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

, Martínez and

Robert Redford Charles Robert Redford Jr. (born August 18, 1936) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received numerous accolades such as an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, as well as the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1994, the ...

's characters come into conflict, but come to an understanding and peace in the film's silent, unspoken finale. In addition to ''Jeremiah Johnson'' and ''Ulzana's Raid'', both released in 1972, Martínez was cast opposite

Anthony Quinn Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca (April 21, 1915 – June 3, 2001), known as Anthony Quinn, was an American actor. He was known for his portrayal of earthy, passionate characters "marked by a brutal and elemental virility" in over 100 ...

and

Kevin Costner Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Kevin Costner, various accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Primeti ...

in the 1990 movie, ''Revenge'', as well as the 1993 film, '' The House of the Spirits''. Martínez's appearance in ''Revenge'' reportedly fulfilled a longtime dream to work with Anthony Quinn, who was also originally from Mexico.

Film director A film director or filmmaker is a person who controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfillment of that Goal, vision. The director has a key role ...

Lee Tamahori Warren Lee Tamahori (; born 17 June 1950) is a New Zealand film director. His feature directorial debut, ''Once Were Warriors'' (1994), was a widespread critical and commercial success, and is considered one of the greatest New Zealand films eve ...

specifically cast Martínez in the James Bond film, '' Die Another Day'', due to his performance in the ''Ulzana's Raid''. Martínez was cast by Tamahori in 2001 and ''Die Another Day'' was released in 2002. Martínez often appeared in Western films, television, and miniseries, such as '' Stones for Ibarra'', ''

Centennial A centennial, or centenary in British English, is a 100th anniversary or otherwise relates to a century. Notable events Notable centennial events at a national or world-level include: * Centennial Exhibition, 1876, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ...

'', '' How the West Was Won'', and '' Ishi: The Last of His Tribe'' in 1978. He guest-starred in ''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American Western (genre), Western anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was ...

'', ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centered on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central charact ...

'', ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on ...

'', and ''

The High Chaparral ''The High Chaparral'' is an American Western action-adventure drama television series that aired on NBC from 1967 to 1971, starring Leif Erickson and Cameron Mitchell. The series was made by Xanadu Productions in association with NBC Produc ...

''. Martínez's guest roles in non-western series included '' Quincy, M.E.'', ''

Northern Exposure ''Northern Exposure'' is an American comedy-drama television series about the eccentric residents in the fictitious town of Cicely, Alaska, that originally aired on CBS from July 12, 1990, to July 26, 1995, with a total of 110 episodes. It rec ...

'', ''

L.A. Law ''L.A. Law'' is an American legal drama television series created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher for NBC. It ran for eight seasons and List of L.A. Law episodes, 172 episodes from September 15, 1986, to May 19, 1994. The series cente ...

'', '' Marcus Welby, M.D.'', ''

Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family, usually in the context of a monarchy, monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A dynasty may also be referred to as a "house", "family" or "clan", among others. H ...

'', '' Ironside'', and opposite

Bill Cosby William Henry Cosby Jr. ( ; born July 12, 1937) is an American retired comedian, actor, and media personality. Often cited as a trailblazer for African Americans in the entertainment industry, Cosby was a film, television, and stand-up comedy ...

in '' The Bill Cosby Show''. On stage, Martínez was an original cast member for ''

Zoot Suit A zoot suit (occasionally spelled zuit suit) is a men's Suit (clothing), suit with high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed, wikt:pegged pants, pegged trousers, and a long coat with wide lapels and wide padded shoulders. It is most notable for its ...

'', which broke sales records for live theater when it opened in Los Angeles in July 1978. In 1988, he co-starred in '' Summer and Smoke'' with

Christine Lahti Christine Ann Lahti (born April 4, 1950) is an American actress and filmmaker. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 1984 film '' Swing Shift''. Her other film roles include '' ...And Justice for All'' (197 ...

and

Christopher Reeve Christopher D'Olier Reeve (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, activist, director, and author. He amassed Christopher Reeve on stage and screen, several stage and screen credits in his 34-year career, including playin ...

at the

Ahmanson Theatre The Ahmanson Theatre is one of the four main venues that compose the Los Angeles Music Center. Shows at this theater are produced by Center Theatre Group. History The theatre was built as a result of a donation from Howard F. Ahmanson Sr, the ...

in Los Angeles. Martínez's last film was ''Castingx'', a 2005 Dutch movie directed by Ad Bol.

Personal life

He lived in semiretirement in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

since ''circa'' 2002 or 2003. Joaquin Martínez died from pancreatic cancer at his home in Everdingen, the Netherlands, on January 3, 2012, at the age of 81. He was survived by his wife, Marja Valkestijn; daughter, Jennifer; son, Christopher; stepson, Sjoerd; and his former wife, Mary Preston.

Filmography

*'' Tlayucan'' (1962) – Amigo de Eufemio *''El señor Tormenta'' (1963) *''Tesoro de mentiras'' (1963) *''

'' (1967) – Abundio *''Alma Grande en el desierto'' (1967) *''El asesino se embarca'' (1967) – Pedro *''The Bandits'' (1967) *'' The Stalking Moon'' (1968) – Julio *''

Lauro Puñales ''Lauro Puñales'' (English: ''Lauro Daggers'') is a 1969 historical drama film directed by René Cardona, and starring Antonio Aguilar, Flor Silvestre (actress), Flor Silvestre, and Jaime Fernández (actor), Jaime Fernández. Plot In Emiliano Zap ...

'' (1969) – Matías *'' Moonfire'' (1970) – Lazaro *'' Jeremiah Johnson'' (1972) – Paints His Shirt Red *'' Joe Kidd'' (1972) – Manolo *'' Ulzana's Raid'' (1972) – Ulzana *'' Executive Action'' (1973) – Art Mendoza *'' Zandy's Bride'' (1974) – Arvis Demas (uncredited) *'' He Is My Brother'' (1975) – The Kahuna *'' Who'll Stop the Rain'' (1978) – Angel *'' Meatballs Part II'' (1984) – Indian Chief *'' Flashpoint'' (1984) – Pedroza *'' Little Treasure'' (1985) – Market Voice #2 *''Persecución en Las Vegas: 'Volvere (1987) – Tony *''

Revenge Revenge is defined as committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Vengeful forms of justice, such as primitive justice or retributive justice, are often differentiated from more fo ...

'' (1990) – Mauro *''

House of Cards A house of cards (also known as a card tower or card castle) is a structure created by stacking playing cards on top of each other, often in the shape of a pyramid. "House of cards" is also an expression that dates back to 1645 meaning a struc ...

'' (1993) – Selord *'' The House of the Spirits'' (1993) – Segundo *'' The Cowboy Way'' (1994) – Nacho Salazar *''

The Odd Couple II ''The Odd Couple II'' is a 1998 American buddy comedy film and the sequel to the 1968 film '' The Odd Couple''. It is the final film written and produced by Neil Simon, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Released nearly three decades lat ...

'' (1998) – Truck Driver *'' Die Another Day'' (2002) – Old Man in Cigar Factory *''Castingx'' (2005) – Postman (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Martinez, Joaquin 1930 births 2012 deaths Mexican male film actors Mexican male stage actors Mexican male television actors Mexican emigrants to the United States Male actors from Quintana Roo People from Cozumel People from Vianen Method actors Deaths from pancreatic cancer in the Netherlands