RIP Eugene Iglesias

 

Puerto Rican actor Eugene Iglesias dies in Texas

He was the last Puerto Rican actor of the golden age of Hollywood and left an impressive filmography of 71 credits.

 

Endi

February 12, 2023 

Puerto Rican film and television actor Eugene Iglesias, died last Saturday, February 4, because of a massive heart attack, at the Medical Arts Hospital in Lamesa, Texas. He was 96.

His death was confirmed, through a press release, by the author, journalist and friend of the pioneering actor, Miluka Rivera, after being informed by Rolando Olivarez, who is in charge of the legal power of attorney of Eugene Iglesias and was the last person who contacted him before his death.

According to the communication, Eugene Iglesias Carrillo, who was born on December 3, 1926, in San Juan, "came from a distinguished family and had, in turn, a relationship with the former governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marín. It is also noted that he was honored years ago at the Luis Muñoz Marín Foundation (FLMM) through a conference on Puerto Rican legacy in Hollywood, by Miluka Rivera, who recently also celebrated the actor through a transmission and chat by Zoom on the virtual site Coloqueo of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.

According to Rivera, the actor was active in the 50s, 60s and 70s and left an impressive filmography of 71 credits. In his film debut in "The Brave Bulls" (1951) he starred as the bullfighter brother and co-star of celebratedactors Mel Ferrer and Anthony Quinn. And it was characterized by its colorful characters in Old West movies. Among them, "The Duel Creek", as the icon character Johnny Sombrero and "The Naked Dawn" among others.

"Eugene opened gaps. He was the only Puerto Rican actor to win the longest Hollywood studio contract in history. I was honored to meet him and I am glad to have rescued his story in my books, since he was the last Puerto Rican actor of the golden age. In addition to being a talented painter and art dealer," Miluka Rivera said in the statement.

IGLESIAS, Eugene (Eugene Iglesias Carillo)

Born: 2/23/1926, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Died: 2/4/2023, Lamesa, Texas, U.S.A.

 

Eugene Iglesias’ westerns – actor, singer:

California Conquest – 1952 (Ernesto Brios)

The Duel at Silver Creek – 1952 (Johnny Sombrero)

Hiawatha – 1952 (Chibiabos)

Indian Uprising – 1952 (Sergeant Ramirez)

Jack McCall, Desperado – 1953 (Grey Eagle)

Tumbleweed – 1963 (Tigre)

Taza, Son of Cochise – 1954 (Chato)

They Rode West – 1954 (Red Leaf)

The Naked Dawn – 1955 (Manuel Lopez)

Cheyenne (TV) – 1955 (Alfredo)

Domino Kid – 1957 (Juan Cortez)

Walk the Proud Land – 1956 (Chato)

Broken Arrow (TV) – 1956, 1957 (Cheewaukee)

Circus Boy (TV) – 1957 (Marino)

Cowboy – 1958 (Don Manuel Arriega)

The Adventures of Jim Bowie (TV) – 1958 (Esteban Calderon)

Maverick (TV) – 1958 (Ricardo) [singer]

Zorro (TV) – 1958 (Morales’ nephew)

Rio Bravo – 1959 (Burdette henchman)

Frontier Doctor (TV) – 1959

Lawman (TV) – 1959 (Blanket)

Outlaws (TV) – 1960 (Hassini)

The Rebel (TV) – 1960, 1961 (Don Ronaldo, Felipe Amontillo)

Sugarfoot (TV) – 1960 (Johnny July)

Frontier Uprising – 1961 (Lieutenant Ruiz)

The Deputy (TV) – 1961 (Pedro O’Brien)

Death Valley Days (TV) – 1962, 1963, 1964 (Chee, Etaha, Martinez)

Laramie (TV) – 1962 (Jacero)

Rawhide (TV) – 1962 (Wilde Horse)

The Dakotas (TV) – 1963 (Kicking Horse)

Apache Rifles – 1964 (Corporal Ramirez)

Bonanza (TV) – 1965 (Carlos)

The Wild Wild West (TV) – 1966, 1969 (Bernal, Gallito)

Hondo (TV) – 1967 (Neomo)