Alberto de Mendoza

Alberto de Mendoza (born Alberto Manuel Rodríguez‑Gallego González de Mendoza on 21 January 1923 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) was a prolific Argentine actor whose career spanned eight decades and more than one hundred fourteen films. He began appearing on screen as a child in the early 1930s, with his first credited role in Alma de Gaucho (1930), and quickly became a familiar face in the golden age of Argentine cinema. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s he worked alongside leading stars such as Olga Zubarry, delivering memorable performances in titles like Adán y la serpiente (1946) and A hierro muere (1962). His versatility allowed him to transition effortlessly from drama to genre fare, and by the late 1960s he entered the European market, starring in several spaghetti westerns, including The Forgotten Pistolero (1969) and A Bullet for Rommel (1969). He frequently collaborated with director Gérard Oury, appearing as Charles II, King of Spain, in La Folie des grandeurs (1971). A highlight of his international work came with the cult horror film Horror Express (1973), where he shared the screen with legends Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas, cementing his reputation as a reliable character actor.

In addition to his film work, de Mendoza became a household name on Argentine television, most notably thanks to his role in the popular series El Rafa (1980‑1982) and the short‑lived El Oriental (1982‑1983). He continued to act well into his eighties, with his final screen appearance in La mala verdad (2011) released shortly before his death in Madrid, Spain on 12 December 2011. Married to Mabel Taboas, he also served as stepfather to journalist Daniel Ruiz, who adopted the Mendoza surname. His extensive filmography reflects a remarkable adaptability, ranging from melodramas to action‑packed thrillers, and his long‑lasting contributions to both Argentine and international cinema have left an indelible mark on the industry.