Victor Argo

Victor Argo (born Victor Jiménez; November 5, 1934 – April 7, 2004) was an American actor and musician. Known for his "jowly, lived-in face and a deep voice that suggested danger ahead," he was a regular in the films of directors Martin Scorsese and Abel Ferrara, often playing tough or intimidating characters.

Early life Argo was born Victor Jiménez in The Bronx, New York to Puerto Rican parents from Quebradillas. Prior to his acting career, he worked variously as a jewelry seller, a printer and a taxi driver. In 1977, Argo became a founding member of the Riverside Shakespeare Company on New York City's Upper West Side. As a member, he toured the parks of Manhattan playing Lord Montague.

Shortly before his death, Argo realized a lifelong dream of performing on Broadway when he was cast as Santiago, the owner of a cigar factory, in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Anna in the Tropics.

Screen Argo lent his talents to nearly 70 theatrical films and 40 television films and series.

Argo made his film debut in February of 1972 in Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues. Argo appeared later that same year in June in Boxcar Bertha, directed by Martin Scorsese, as a railroad detective. Also that year, he had a small role in Unholy Rollers (November 1972). Often playing the part of the New York City 'heavy' or mobster on film, Argo was a favorite of such directors as Scorsese, Abel Ferrara and Woody Allen.

His film credits include Taxi Driver (1976), King of New York (1990), The Rose (1979), New York Stories (1989), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Bad Lieutenant (1992), True Romance (1993), and Coyote Ugly (2000). He played the father of Jennifer Lopez's character in the 2001 romantic drama Angel Eyes.

On television in February of 1973 Argo appeared on The Waltons, followed by All in the Family in September that same year, and Kojak afterwards. In 1974, he appeared in the made-for-TV film Smile Jenny, You're Dead. Also in the 1970s, Argo's television guest appearances include Starsky & Hutch (1975), The Rockford Files and Wonder Woman both in 1977, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979)

In 1985, Argo appeared on The Equalizer episode "The Defector" as O'Hare, who poses as a police officer and puts Melissa Leo's character, Russian ballerina Irina Dzershinsky, into "protective" custody by order of the KGB. Other appearances in the 1980s include, Spenser: For Hire (1985), Miami Vice (1988), and episodes of Law & Order (1992, 1997) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2003). In one of his final roles, Argo played Chuck Manetta, a tough-talking soccer grandpa, in the independent feature, Personal Sergeant, released in 2004.

In his last screen role, in the independent film Lustre by director Art Jones, Argo portrayed a New York City loan shark who retreats from his everyday, hard-nosed rants to a deeply spiritual retreat from the world. The film was released in 2005. In a review, Jeannette Catsoulis at The New York Times writes that Argo's "fireplug body and throaty growl -- emanating from a face resembling a rather sad bulldog -- added texture and memorability to characters who might easily have disappeared in a fog of stereotype."

Music Outside of acting on the screen and stage, another deep passion for Argo was country music, the actor at one time having traveled to Nashville to cut several song demos.

Death Argo died in New York City at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center on April 7, 2004, from complications of lung cancer at age 69. His body was donated to Manhattan College for medical science. In 2005, Electronic music group Bodega System released a 12" vinyl LP which includes the track "Victor Argo". as Chuck Manetta Lustre (2005, filmed in 2003) as Hugo (final film role)

Television

+ Year Title Role Notes 1973 The Waltons Zvelei Episode: "The Gypsies" 1973 All in the Family Mr. Estrada Episode: "We're Having a Heat Wave" 1974 Smile Jenny, You're Dead Sgt. Richard Marum TV movie 1974 Kojak Joseph Crespi Episode: "The Chinatown Murders" 1975 Force Five Frankie Hatcher TV movie 1975 Starsky & Hutch Rudy Solenko Episode: "Lady Blue" 1977 Wonder Woman Jason Episode: "Last of the Two Dollar Bills" 1977 The Rockford Files Jud Brown 1 episode 1979 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Raphael Argus 2 episodes 1981 Dream House Ramirez TV movie 1985 Spenser: For Hire Hitman 1 episode 1985 The Equalizer O'Hare Episode: "The Defector" 1986 Florida Straits Pablo Cheruka TV movie 1988 Miami Vice Commandante Salazar 2 episodes 1990 Johnny Ryan Frank Costello TV movie 1990 Vendetta: Secrets of the Mafia Persico TV miniseries 1992 Law & Order Jose Tirado Episode: "Cradel to Grave" 1995 Dark Eyes Rray Cedeno 1 episode 1996 Sins of Silence Nick DiMatteo TV movie 1997 Law & Order Enrique Flores Episode: "Barter" 2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Mr. Garcia Episode: "See Me"