José Pascual Antonio Aguilar Márquez Barraza (17 May 191919 June 2007), known as Antonio Aguilar, was a Mexican singer and actor. He recorded over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and acted in more than 120 films. He was given the honorific nickname "El Charro de México" (Mexico's Horseman) because he is credited with popularizing the Mexican equestrian sport la charrería to international audiences. He made his acting debut with Pedro Infante in the drama Un rincón cerca del cielo (1952). He also portrayed Pancho Villa twice in film. In 1997, Aguilar was awarded the Golden Ariel for his "invaluable contribution and spreading of Mexican cinema".

His second wife was famous singer and actress Flor Silvestre. They had two sons, Antonio Aguilar Hijo, and Pepe Aguilar, who also became singers and actors. His family is known as "la dinastía Aguilar" (the Aguilar dynasty).

Early life

Aguilar was born in Villanueva, Zacatecas, the son of Jesús Aguilar Aguilar

Career

thumb|left|From left to right: Aguilar, [[Toshiro Mifune, and Flor Silvestre in Animas Trujano (1964)]]

Aguilar began his recording career in 1950, eventually making over 150 albums and selling more than 25 million records. He was known for his corridos, with some of his best known songs including "Gabino Barrera", "Caballo prieto azabache", "Albur de amor", and "Un puño de tierra".

He began his acting career in 1952 during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. In the 1950s, Aguilar was cast in a series of films centered on rural hero "Mauricio Rosales" in El rayo justiciero (1955), La barranca de muerte (1955), La sierra del terror (1956), La huella del chacal (1956), La pantera negra (1957), La guarida del buitre (1958), and Los muertos no hablan (1958). Seven low-budget ranchera films produced by Rosas Films S.A. Aguilar gained cinematic notice when cast in Ismael Rodríguez's Tierra de hombres in 1956. His other collaborations with Rodríguez include La Cucaracha (1959) and Ánimas Trujano (1962), in which he received starring roles. Among his best ranchera films are Yo... el aventurero (1959), Caballo prieto azabache (1968), El ojo de vidrio (1969), and Valente Quintero (1973). Aguilar appeared in American Western films including 1969's The Undefeated starring John Wayne. In the same year, he was the recipient of the Excellence Award at the 2000 Lo Nuestro Awards and the ASCAP Latin Heritage Award. In 2004, he was the presented with the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was similarly honored with his handprints and star on the Paseo de las Luminarias in Mexico City for his work in movies and in the recording industry.

See also

  • Antonio Aguilar filmography
  • List of best-selling Latin music artists

References

  • Antonio Aguilar's movies at TKcine
  • Pepe Aguilar's website - Antonio Aguilar's son
  • Obituary in the Houston Chronicle
  • Val de la O interviews Antonio Aguilar