José Bódalo

José Bódalo Zúffoli (24 March 1916 – 24 July 1985) was a prolific Spanish film and television actor whose career spanned over five decades, from the early sound era of Spanish cinema in the 1930s until his death in the mid‑1980s. Born in Córdoba, Argentina, he was the son of Rome‑born actress Eugenia Zúffoli and Spanish actor‑singer José Bódalo Sr., a lineage that gave him a bicultural upbringing and a natural affinity for the performing arts. Although his family was on an artistic tour at the time of his birth, the young José moved to Madrid shortly thereafter, where he initially enrolled in medical studies before turning fully to acting, a decision that would define his legacy. Bódalo made his screen debut in 1930 and went on to appear in more than 120 films and television productions, ranging from dramatic period pieces such as Agustina of Aragon (1950) to light‑hearted comedies and popular TV anthology series like Novela (1969‑1977) and Estudio 1 in the early 1980s. During the mid‑ to late‑1960s he became a recognizable face in the European Spaghetti Western boom, often cast as authoritative figures; his most notable role in the genre was General Hugo Rodriguez in Django (1966) opposite Franco Nero. In addition to genre work, Bódalo contributed to critically acclaimed cinema, playing Roxiu in Begin the Beguine (1982), the film that won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1982. His versatility allowed him to seamlessly shift between heroic military officers, religious clergy, and everyday townspeople, earning him respect among peers and audiences alike. José Bódalo married actress Alicia Fernández Tomás, and the couple had two children who continued the family's artistic tradition. He remained active in the industry up to his final years, working on projects such as La colmena (1982) and The Cheerful Colsada Girls (1984) before passing away in Madrid at the age of 69. His extensive body of work continues to be celebrated for its breadth, depth, and the distinctive presence he brought to Spanish‑language cinema.