Nicolás Jaime Fernández Reyes (6 December 1927 - 15 April 2005) was a Mexican actor and film director. He was a star during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema, winning three Ariel Awards, and served as the general secretary of the National Association of Actors (ANDA) for 11 years.
Life and career
Fernández was born in Monterrey in 1927, the son of Fernando Fernández and Eloísa Reyes. His first cousin was actor/director Emilio Fernández, and his half-brother was actor Fernando Fernández. After working as a film sound technician, he got his first acting roles at the behest of his cousin.
Over his career, he won 3 Silver Ariel awards — the Mexican equivalent of the Oscar — including one for what is arguably his best-known role, playing Friday, the protagonist's associate in Luis Buñuel's Robinson Crusoe. He appeared in over 200 films and served as the general secretary of the National Association of Actors (ANDA) for 11 years. His tenure proved controversial, and lead to the splintering of the union into the rival Independent Actors Union (SAI).
Fernández died in Mexico City on April 15, 2005.