Jorge Russek

Jorge Antonio Russek Martínez (4 January 1932 – 30 July 1998) was a prolific Mexican actor whose career spanned nearly five decades, encompassing over three hundred film appearances and numerous television roles. Born in Guaymas, Sonora, he grew up in a family with military and governmental ties—his great‑grandfather served under President Benito Juárez—and later attended a military academy in North Hollywood, California, an experience that contributed to his disciplined work ethic. Russek entered the film industry as an extra in 1950, quickly moving from stage work—where he felt cramped in dressing rooms—to become a recognizable face in both Mexican and American Westerns of the 1960s and 1970s. He appeared in iconic Hollywood productions such as The Wild Bunch (1969), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Soldier Blue (1970), Big Jake (1971), and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), often portraying tough, villainous characters that earned him the reputation of a quintessential norteño.*

Beyond the silver screen, Russek achieved critical acclaim in Mexico, securing the Ariel Award for Best Actor in 1976 for De todos modos Juan te llamas and the Ariel Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1989 for Los camaroneros. His versatility extended to television, where he transitioned to leading roles in telenovelas such as La gloria y el infierno (1986), Días sin luna (1990), and Cañaveral de Pasiones (1996), winning three TVyNovelas Awards for Best Leading Actor. A passionate photographer, he captured the natural landscapes of Durango with his Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex, later contributing his extensive archive to the Cineteca Nacional. Russek also served as an advisor to Durango’s Directorate of Tourism and Cinematography, reflecting his deep commitment to promoting Mexican cultural heritage. He passed away from a heart attack in Mexico City at age 66, and per his wishes, his ashes were scattered in Durango, where his legacy continues to be celebrated through cultural events and a school bearing his name.