Born: September 20, 1917 – Died: March 9, 1994
Early Life and Career
Fernando Rey, born Fernando Casado D'Arambillet on September 20, 1917, in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, had quite an intriguing journey into the world of entertainment. He initially aimed to be an architect, but his plans took a detour when the Spanish Civil War erupted in 1936. During this turbulent time, he found employment as a movie extra, which marked his entry into the world of film.
Rey adopted the stage name "Fernando Rey," which translates to "Fernando King" in English, and made his first significant speaking role appearance in the 1944 movie "Eugenia de Montijo," where he portrayed the Duke de Alba. This marked the beginning of his prosperous career as an actor.
However, it was his collaboration with renowned director Luis Buñuel during the 1960s and 1970s that truly catapulted Fernando Rey to international stardom. The films he worked on with Buñuel, such as "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" and "That Obscure Object of Desire," garnered critical acclaim and recognition.
Rey's most notable achievement came with his role as "Frog One" in the acclaimed film "The French Connection" in 1971, which won the Best Picture Oscar. This role solidified his reputation as a remarkable actor.
Throughout his career, Fernando Rey accumulated numerous accolades, including awards at San Sebastián and Cannes. He even served as the president of the Spanish Art and Movie Sciences Academy.
In his personal life, Fernando Rey married Mabel Karr, but details about his family life are relatively private. Apart from his acting career, he was also a major voice-over artist in Spain, lending his voice to narrate films and dub foreign actors.
Fernando Rey's contribution to Hollywood and the entertainment industry is significant. He is considered an icon in Spanish cinema and is celebrated for his versatile acting skills. His collaborations with directors like Buñuel left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring actors and filmmakers worldwide.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | El cianuro... ¿solo o con leche? | Gregorio |
| 1994 | Al otro lado del túnel | Miguel |
| 1994 | Arnau (TV Mini Series) | Comte de Barcelona |
| 1993 | Los ladrones van a la oficina (TV Series) | Duque de Glanston |
| 1993 | Madregilda | Padre de Franco |
| 1993 | Missione d'amore (TV Mini Series) | Unknown |
| 1992 | De terre et de sang (TV Movie) | Sahaladin | Sultan Saladin |
| 1992 | L'Atlantide | Father Mauritius |
| 1992 | La marrana | Fray Juan |
| 1992 | Después del sueño | Ramiro Lanza |
| 1992 | 1492: Conquest of Paradise | Marchena |
| 1992 | Don Quixote | Closing Scene Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1991 | Don Quijote de la Mancha (TV Series) | Don Quijote |
| 1990 | Countdown to Esmeralda Bay | Ramos |
| 1990 | La batalla de los Tres Reyes | Papa Pablo V |
| 1990 | Breath of Life | Dottor Grifeo detto Gran Magro |
| 1990 | Naked Tango | Judge Torres |
| 1990 | Fantômes en héritage (TV Mini Series) | Sir Edwards |
| 1990 | Blaues Blut (TV Mini Series) | Dekker |
| 1989 | The Betrothed (TV Mini Series) | Attilio's Uncle |
| 1989 | La moglie ingenua e il marito malato (TV Movie) | Il professor Rune |
| 1989 | Le grand secret (TV Mini Series) | Monsieur Corbet |
| 1989 | Il ricatto (TV Series) | Magistrato Di Nola |
| 1988 | El aire de un crimen | Fayón |
| 1988 | Diario de invierno | Padre |
| 1988 | Moon Over Parador | Alejandro |
| 1988 | Pasodoble | Don Nuño |
| 1987–1988 | Captain James Cook (TV Mini Series) | Hawke |
| 1988 | The Tunnel | Allende |
| 1987 | The Enchanted Forest | Sr. D'Abondo |
| 1987 | Mi general | Director Almirante |
| 1986 | Una donna a Venezia (TV Mini Series) | Alvise |
| 1986 | Hôtel du Paradis | Joseph |
| 1986 | Elogio della pazzia | Unknown |
| 1986 | Saving Grace | Cardinal Stefano Biondi |
| 1986 | L'été 36 (TV Series) | Le général | The General |
| 1985 | Angel of Death | Ohmei Felsberg |
| 1985 | Los pazos de Ulloa (TV Mini Series) | Sr. De La Lage |
| 1985 | Star Knight | Fray Lupo |
| 1985 | Rustlers' Rhapsody | Railroad Colonel |
| 1985 | Padre nuestro | Cardenal |
| 1985 | A.D. (TV Mini Series) | Seneca |
| 1985 | Black Arrow (TV Movie) | Warwick |
| 1984 | Un amour interdit | Piacchi |
| 1984 | The Hit | Senior Policeman |
| 1983 | Arabesque (TV Mini Series) | (1983) (rumored) |
| 1983 | Bearn o la sala de las muñecas | Don Antonio |
| 1982 | Monsignor | Santoni |
| 1982 | A Estrangeira | André |
| 1982 | Cercasi Gesù | Don Filippo |
| 1982 | The Confessions of Felix Krull (TV Mini Series) | Professor Kuckuck |
| 1981 | Chaste and Pure | Antonio Di Maggio |
| 1981 | Trágala, perro | Juez |
| 1981 | Honey | Editor |
| 1981 | Le bouffon (TV Movie) | M. Georges |
| 1981 | Lady of the Camelias | Count Stackelberg |
| 1980 | Racconto d'autunno (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1980 | The Cuenca Crime | Contreras |
| 1980 | Cabo Blanco | Terredo |
| 1979 | Vestire gli ignudi (TV Movie) | Ludovico Nota |
| 1979 | Memorias de Leticia Valle | Don Fernando Valle |
| 1979 | Quintet | Grigor |
| 1979 | Traffic Jam | Carlo |
| 1978 | Rebeldía | Don Luis |
| 1978 | I problemi di Don Isidro (TV Series) | Don Isidro Parodi |
| 1978 | The Last Romantic Lover | Max |
| 1977 | That Obscure Object of Desire | Mathieu Faber |
| 1977 | The Assignment | Bidara |
| 1977 | Eyes Behind the Wall | Ivano |
| 1977 | Striptease | Alfonso |
| 1977 | Jesus of Nazareth (TV Mini Series) | Gaspar |
| 1977 | Elisa, My Life | Luis |
| 1976 | The Second Power | Cardenal |
| 1976 | Voyage of the Damned | President Bru |
| 1976 | The Desert of the Tartars | Colonel Nathanson |
| 1976 | A Matter of Time | Charles Van Maar |
| 1976 | Alle origini della mafia (TV Mini Series) | Baron Della Spina |
| 1976 | Manuela | Don Ramón |
| 1976 | Illustrious Corpses | Security Minister |
| 1975 | Seven Beauties | Pedro |
| 1975 | French Connection II | Alain Charnier |
| 1975 | Smiling Maniacs | Judge Vanini |
| 1974 | Noche de teatro (TV Series) | Don Juan Manuel de Montenegro |
| 1974 | The Woman in Red Boots | Perrot |
| 1974 | The Murri Affair | Il professore Augusto Murri |
| 1974 | Dites-le avec des fleurs | Jacques Berger |
| 1974 | Violent Blood Bath | Oscar Bataille |
| 1974 | ¿... Y el prójimo? | Luis Ignacio |
| 1973 | White Fang | Father Oatley |
| 1973 | La chute d'un corps | M. Nansoit |
| 1973 | One Way | Mr. David |
| 1973 | High Crime | Cafiero |
| 1973 | Game of Murder | Arthur |
| 1972 | The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie | Don Rafael Acosta |
| 1972 | La duda | Don Rodrigo - Conde de Albrit |
| 1972 | White Sister | Primario |
| 1972 | The Two Faces of Fear | Inspector Nardi |
| 1972 | Antony and Cleopatra | Lepidus |
| 1972 | This Kind of Love | Padre di Giovanna |
| 1971 | The French Connection | Alain Charnier |
| 1971 | The Light at the Edge of the World | Captain Moriz |
| 1971 | A Town Called Hell | Old blind man |
| 1971 | Cold Eyes of Fear | Judge Bedell |
| 1971 | The Great Swindle | Luis |
| 1970 | Compañeros | Prof. Vitaliano Xantos |
| 1970 | Trinity Sees Red | Don Antonio |
| 1970 | Aoom | Unknown |
| 1970 | Chicas de club | Padrino Elisa |
| 1970 | The Adventurers | Jaime Xenos |
| 1970 | Tristana | Don Lope |
| 1970 | Cuentos y leyendas (TV Series) | Timoteo |
| 1969 | The Price of Power | Pinkerton |
| 1969 | Land Raiders | Priest |
| 1969 | A Candidate for a Killing | Marco Augusto |
| 1969 | Guns of the Magnificent Seven | Quintero |
| 1968 | El príncipe y la huerfanita (Short) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1968 | Los preparativos (Short) | Unknown |
| 1968 | Conozca usted España (TV Series) | (voice) |
| 1968 | Villa Rides | Fuentes |
| 1968 | The Immortal Story (TV Movie) | Merchant telling Clay's history (uncredited) |
| 1968 | Fábulas (TV Series) | Antonio | Diego Valdés |
| 1966–1968 | La pequeña comedia (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1967 | Amor en el aire | Carlos Mª Saldiez |
| 1967 | The Young Rebel | Filipe II |
| 1967 | Run Like a Thief | Col. Romero |
| 1967 | Estudio 1 (TV Series) | Boris Trigorin |
| 1967 | The Viscount | Marco Demoygne |
| 1967 | Beyond the Mountains | Ibram |
| 1967 | Historia de la frivolidad (TV Movie) | Caballero |
| 1967 | Novela (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1966 | Navajo Joe | Rev. Rattigan |
| 1965–1966 | Tiempo y hora (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1966 | Return of the Seven | Priest |
| 1966 | Zampo y yo | Luis 'Zampo' |
| 1966 | El Greco | Felipe II |
| 1966 | Cartes sur table | Sir Percy |
| 1965 | La isla del tesoro (Short) | Unknown |
| 1965 | Treasure Island (Short) | Unknown |
| 1965 | Chimes at Midnight | Worcester |
| 1965 | El marqués | Publisher Ramos |
| 1965 | Espionage in Lisbon | Agent of the New World Organization |
| 1965 | Don Quijote von der Mancha (TV Mini Series) | Der Herzog | Herzog |
| 1965 | The Amazing Doctor G | Goldginger |
| 1965 | I grandi condottieri | Lo straniero |
| 1965 | Legacy of the Incas | President Castillo |
| 1965 | Son of a Gunfighter | Don Pedro Fortuna |
| 1964–1965 | Primera fila (TV Series) | Sisson | Siegfried | Andrew Crocker-Harris |
| 1965 | Tras la puerta cerrada (TV Series) | Burgess |
| 1965 | Confidencias (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1965 | Pobre Diablo (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1964 | Dulcinea del Toboso | Unknown |
| 1964 | El señor de La Salle | Luis XIV |
| 1964 | La hora incógnita | Sacerdote |
| 1964 | La nueva Cenicienta | Juan Echarre |
| 1964 | Fin de semana | Entrevistador |
| 1964 | Los Palomos | Don Alberto |
| 1964 | Escuela de maridos (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1964 | Backfire | Commissioner of Beirut harbor |
| 1964 | El espontáneo | El Rico Pintor |
| 1964 | Gran teatro (TV Series) | Coronel Wealey |
| 1964 | La noche al hablar (TV Series) | Robert |
| 1963 | Platea (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1963 | Wounds of Hunger | Don Paco |
| 1963 | The Ceremony | Sanchez |
| 1963 | El diablo también llora | Ramòn Quiroga |
| 1963 | The Running Man | Police Official |
| 1963 | Scorching Sands | Al Fakid |
| 1963 | The Castilian | Ramiro II, rey de León |
| 1962 | Rogelia | Máximo García |
| 1962 | Face of Terror | Dr. Charles Taylor |
| 1962 | My Son, the Hero | Sumo Sacerdote | High Priest |
| 1961 | The Savage Guns | Don Hernán |
| 1961 | Siempre es domingo | Juez Andonelli |
| 1961 | El pobre García | Narrador (uncredited) |
| 1961 | Fantasmas en la casa | Raimundo Rodríguez de Toledo |
| 1961 | Viridiana | Don Jaime |
| 1961 | Goliath Against the Giants | Bokan, i usurpario |
| 1961 | Teresa | Prof. Héctor de la Barrera |
| 1960 | Pensión de mujeres (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1960 | The Revolt of the Slaves | Valerio |
| 1960 | Don Lucio y el hermano Pío | Señor Aguilar |
| 1960 | Vida sin risas | Unknown |
| 1960 | Culpables | Mario |
| 1960 | La rana verde | Narrator (voice) |
| 1959 | Mission in Morocco | Princ Achmed |
| 1959 | Las dos y media y... veneno | Ramón |
| 1959 | The Last Days of Pompeii | Arbaces, High Priest of Isis |
| 1959 | Sonatas | Capitán Casares |
| 1959 | Parque de Madrid | Don Luis |
| 1958 | ¡Viva lo imposible! | Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1958 | Vengeance | Escritor |
| 1958 | The Night Heaven Fell | Tío (alternate version) |
| 1957 | El andén | Don Enrique |
| 1957 | Las últimas banderas | Unknown |
| 1957 | Un marido de ida y vuelta | Paco |
| 1957 | Madrugada | Mauricio (voice, uncredited) |
| 1957 | Day of Fear | Inspector Alfonso Martínez |
| 1957 | Faustina | Valentín |
| 1956 | Le chanteur de Mexico | Cartoni - l'impresario (uncredited) |
| 1956 | Main Street | Federico Rivas (voice, uncredited) |
| 1956 | Don Juan | Don Iñigo |
| 1956 | Playa prohibida | Unknown |
| 1956 | The Adventures of Gil Blas | Capitaine Rolando |
| 1956 | La vida en un bloc | (voice, uncredited) |
| 1955 | Billete para Tánger | Inspector |
| 1955 | The Miracle of Marcelino | Narrator Monk |
| 1954 | Rebeldía | Capellán |
| 1954 | Cómicos | Miguel Solís |
| 1954 | El alcalde de Zalamea | El Rey |
| 1954 | Crimen en el entreacto | Unknown |
| 1953 | Aeropuerto | Fernando |
| 1953 | Welcome Mr. Marshall! | Narrador (voice) |
| 1953 | Cabaret | Carlos Jiménez |
| 1953 | The Lovers of Toledo | (voice) |
| 1952 | La laguna negra | Miguel |
| 1952 | El cerco del diablo | Atracador |
| 1951 | Séptima página | Narrator (uncredited) |
| 1951 | La señora de Fátima | Lorenzo Duarte |
| 1951 | La trinca del aire | Narrador (voice) |
| 1951 | Cielo Negro | Ángel López Veiga |
| 1950 | The Siege | General Palafox | Lorenzo el pastor |
| 1950 | Si te hubieses casado conmigo | Enrique Marín Rubio |
| 1949 | Aventuras de Juan Lucas | Juan Lucas |
| 1949 | Noche de Reyes | Unknown |
| 1949 | Estaba escrito | Unknown |
| 1949 | Sabela de Cambados | Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1948 | Mare nostrum | Ulises | Capitán Ferragut |
| 1948 | Locura de amor | Felipe el Hermoso |
| 1948 | La próxima vez que vivamos | Óscar Mulden |
| 1947 | Don Quijote de la Mancha | Sansón Carrasco |
| 1947 | Fuenteovejuna | Frondoso |
| 1947 | Princess of the Ursinos | Felipe V |
| 1947 | The Holy Queen | Infante Alfonso |
| 1946 | The Prodigal Woman | José |
| 1946 | Misión blanca | Carlos |
| 1945 | Los últimos de Filipinas | Juan Chamizo |
| 1945 | Tierra sedienta | Carlos |
| 1944 | Eugenia de Montijo | Duque de Alba |
| 1941 | Escuadrilla | Extra (uncredited) |
| 1941 | ¡A mí no me mire usted! | Viajero (uncredited) |
| 1940 | La gitanilla | Extra (uncredited) |
| 1940 | La Dolores | Extra (uncredited) |
| 1940 | El rey que rabió | Extra (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Leyenda rota | Extra (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Los cuatro robinsones | Unknown |
| 1936 | Nuestra Natacha | Unknown |
| 1935 | Fazendo Fitas | Unknown |