Mario Montez

René Rivera (July 20, 1935 – September 26, 2013), known professionally as Mario Montez, was one of the Warhol superstars, appearing in thirteen of Andy Warhol's underground films from 1964 to 1966. He took his name as a male homage to the actress Maria Montez, an important gay icon in the 1950s and 1960s. Before appearing in Warhol's films, he appeared in Jack Smith's underground films Flaming Creatures and Normal Love. Montez also stars in the Ron Rice film Chumlum, made in 1964. Mario Montez, was "a staple in the New York underground scene of the 1960s and '70s."

Early years Montez was born René Rivera in Ponce, Puerto Rico, in 1935. When he was 8, the family moved to East Harlem where he grew up. In New York, he studied print and graphic arts but worked in clerical jobs.

Filmography

Directed by Jack Smith Flaming Creatures, 1962-63 (as Dolores Flores) Normal Love, 1963–65 The Borrowed Tambourine, 1967 Reefers of Technicolor Island/Jungle Island, 1967 No President, 1967-1970s

Directed by Ron Rice Chumlum, 1963

Directed by Andy Warhol Mario Banana No. 1, 1964 Mario Banana No. 2, 1964 Batman Dracula, 1964 (unfinished) Mario Montez Dances, 1964 Harlot, 1964 Screen Test No. 2, 1965 Mario Montez [Screen Tests Portrait], 1965 Camp, 1965 More Milk, Yvette, 1965 Mario Montez and Boy, 1965 Hedy, 1966 Ari and Mario, 1966 Bufferin Commercial, 1966 The Chelsea Girls, 1966

Directed by Piero Heliczer Dirt, 1965 Satisfaction

Directed by Bill Vehr Avocada, 1965 Brothel, 1966 Waiting for Sugar The Mystery of the Spanish Lady M. M. for M. M., 1967 (unfinished, lost)

Directed by José Rodriguez-Soltero Life, Death and Assumption of Lupe Vélez, 1966

Directed by Frank Simon The Queen, 1968 (cameo)

Directed by Avery Willard Flaming Twenties, 1968 The Gypsy's Ball, 1969

Directed by Takahiko Iimura

Face, 1969

Directed by Roberts Blossom Movie, 196?

Directed by Alfredo Leonardi Occhio privato sul nuovo mondo, 1970

Directed by Helio Oiticica Agripina é Roma-Manhattan, 1972 (unfinished)

Directed by Leandro Katz Reel Six, Charles Ludlam's Grand Tarot, 1987

Directed by Mary Jordan Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis, 2006

Directed by Conrad Ventur Mario Banana, 2010 Mario Montez [Screen Test Portrait], 2010 Atlantis, 2011 Boca Chica, 2013

Directed by John Edward Heys A Lazy Summer Afternoon with Mario Montez, 2011

Plays Conquest of the Universe or When Queens Collide, 1967 Bluebeard, 1970 Vain Victory, 1971

Awards 2012: Special Teddy