Imanol Arias

Manuel María Arias Domínguez (born 26 April 1956), better known as Imanol Arias, is a Spanish actor.

In his career beginnings, Arias was a recurring face of Basque cinema. His career in the 21st-century is marked by his portrayal of Antonio Alcántara in television series Cuéntame cómo pasó from 2001 to 2023. In addition to his credits in Spanish film and television titles, Arias has also worked in the Argentine film industry.

Life and career Manuel María Arias Domínguez was born in Riaño, province of León, on 26 April 1956 but soon moved to Ermua, Biscay, where he was raised.

Imanol Arias began his career with a travelling theatre group performing in the Basque Country of northern Spain. He debuted on television in 1976. He made his big screen debut in La Corea. In 1987 he won the prize at the San Sebastian Film Festival for the role of Eleuterio Sánchez in El Lute: Run for Your Life (1987).

Since 1976 he has appeared in some seventy different films and television series. In 1996 he made his directorial film debut in Un asunto privado. He had previously directed a television show in 1989.

From 1984 to 2009, he was in a non-marital relationship with actress Pastora Vega, whom with he had two children.

Between 2001 and 2023, he starred in the Televisión Española prime-time series Cuéntame cómo pasó as Antonio Alcántara, the father of a Spanish middle-class family during the years of the rule of Francisco Franco, the transition to democracy, and the current democracy.

In 2013 Arias worked on the Spanish dubbing of the video game Battlefield 4 as Captain Roland Garrison.

At Gijón International Film Festival in 2014, he received the Nacho Martinez Award.

Imanol Arias is Ambassador for UNICEF.

On 7 April 2016, Imanol Arias was accused of tax evasion and money laundering in the Panama Papers scandal as the owner of an offshore company, Trekel Trading Limited, based on the island nation of Niue that held a bank account under his complete control at the Swiss bank Banque Franck SA.

In June 2024, Arias paid €275,000 in order to settle his debts with the tax office and avoid going to trial on tax evasion charges.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes Feature film debut Elisita Cecilia Laberinto de pasiones (Labyrinth of Passion) Riza Niro Demonios en el jardín (Demons in the Garden) Juan La colmena (The Beehive) El Tísico Don Juan Mayol Camila Ladislao Gutiérrez La muerte de Mikel Mikel Miranda Fuego eterno (Eternal Fire) Pierre Lulú de noche (Lulu by Night) Bandera negra Tiempo de silencio (Time of Silence) Pedro Martín El Lute: camina o revienta (El Lute: Run for Your Life) Eleuterio Divinas palabras (Divine Words) Séptimo Miau El Lute II: mañana seré libre (El Lute II: Tomorrow I'll be Free) Eleuterio A solas contigo (Alone Together) Javier Artabe Paco Una mujer bajo la lluvia (A Woman in the Rain) Ramón El amante bilingüe (The Bilingual Lover) Juan Doria Intruso (Intruder) Angel Todos los hombres sois iguales (All Men Are the Same) Juan Luis Un asunto privado Director Roberto La leyenda de Balthasar el castrado Duque de Arcos La flor de mi secreto (The Flower of My Secret) Paco A tres bandas Territorio comanche (Comanche Territory) Mikel Uriarte Ilona Arrives with the Rain África Arturo Asesino En brazos de la mujer madura (In Praise of Older Women) Dávalos Buenos Aires me mata Esperando al mesías (Waiting for the Messiah) Baltasar La voz de su amo (His Master's Voice) Sacristán A House with a View of the Sea Salvajes (Savages) Eduardo Besos de gato Los reyes magos (The 3 Wise Men) Baltasar Voice Teo Morales Lo que tiene el otro Nocturna Pastor de gatos Voice Pájaros de papel (Paper Birds) Jorge del Pino Mi primera boda (My First Wedding) Miguel Ángel Bernardo Anacleto: agente secreto (Spy Time) Anacleto Sordo (The Silent War) Sargento Castillo Legado en los huesos (The Legacy of the Bones) Padre Sarasola Ofrenda a la tormenta (Offering to the Storm) Padre Sarasola Retrato de mujer blanca con pelo cano y arrugas La bandera Tomás El molino Nueva tierra Gregorio

Television Arnau, els dies secrets (1993) as Yazid (TVE, 1981) (TVE, 1982) (TVE, 1983) Brigada Central (TVE, 1989–1992) (Telecinco, 1997) Camino de Santiago (1999) (Antena 3, 2001) (TVE, 2001) Cuéntame cómo pasó (TVE, 2001–2023) Atrapados (2003) Mentiras (2005) (TVE, 2010) Velvet Colección (Movistar+, 2017) La última palabra, (2020) The Best Heart Attack of My Life, (2025)

Accolades

Year Award Category Work Result 35th San Sebastián International Film Festival Silver Shell for Best Actor El Lute: Run for Your Life Best Actor Best Actor El Lute II: Tomorrow I'll be Free