Antonia Rey
Antonia Rey (born Maria Antonia Francesch, 1926 or 1927 – February 21, 2019)[1] was a Cuban-born American actress.
Antonia Rey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Maria Antonia Francesch 1926 or 1927 Havana, Cuba |
| Died | February 21, 2019 (aged 92) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1954–2019 |
| Spouse | Andres Castro (m. 1958) |
Life and career
Rey was born in Havana, Cuba, the daughter of Emilia (née Rangel), a nurse, and Antonio Francesch, a dentist. She married theatre director Andres Castro in 1958 – during the intermission of a play. Despite offers of prominence in their fields, they chose to flee communist Cuba in 1961.[1]
Rey's Broadway credits include The Rose Tattoo (1995), The Ritz (1975), A Streetcar Named Desire (1973), 42 Seconds from Broadway (1973), The Engagement Baby (1970), Camino Real (1970), Mike Downstairs (1968), and Bajour (1964).[2]
Rey is better known for her cameos in various movies like Kiss Me, Guido (1997),[3] Jacob's Ladder and King of the Gypsies, as well as the TV-movie pilot for Kojak entitled The Marcus-Nelson Murders. She has also appeared in shows such as Who's the Boss?, Third Watch, Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Rey's final role was Assunta Bianchi, in the television series Happy!; her character dies in the second to last episode of the series, which aired three months after Rey's death, and featured a closing “In Memory” credit dedicated to Rey.
In 2003, she received the HOLA Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA).
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Coogan's Bluff | Mrs. Amador | |
| 1969 | Popi | Mrs. Cruz | |
| 1971 | Klute | Mrs. Vasek | |
| 1971 | 'Doc' | Concha | |
| 1971 | Who Killed Mary Whats 'ername? | Waitress | |
| 1971 | Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow! | ||
| 1972 | To Find a Man | Modesta | |
| 1974 | The Lords of Flatbush | Mrs. Rosiello | |
| 1976 | The Money | Pearl | |
| 1978 | King of the Gypsies | Danitza Giorgio | |
| 1979 | Hair | Mrs. Berger, George's Mother | |
| 1979 | Boardwalk | Carmelita | |
| 1980 | The Changeling | Estancia | |
| 1981 | Time Bandits | Daisy | |
| 1982 | The Clairvoyant | Spanish Woman | |
| 1984 | Moscow on the Hudson | Counter Woman at McDonald's | |
| 1984 | Beat Street | Flora | |
| 1984 | Garbo Talks | Esmeralda | |
| 1986 | Wise Guys | Aunt Sadie | |
| 1987 | Forever, Lulu | Clara | |
| 1987 | Spaceballs | Clarie | |
| 1988 | White Hot | Market Woman | |
| 1988 | Spike of Bensonhurst | Bandanas Mother | |
| 1989 | Simple Justice | Mrs. Maria Pajarro | |
| 1990 | Jacob's Ladder | Woman on Subway | |
| 1991 | True Colors | Soledad | |
| 1991 | I Was On Mars | La Mama | |
| 1992 | Chain of Desire | Jesus' Mother | |
| 1994 | Only You | Fortune Teller | |
| 1994 | It Runs in the Family | Gypsy Woman | |
| 1995 | Die Hard with a Vengeance | Mrs. Stella | |
| 1995 | Tarantella | Grandmother | |
| 1997 | Kiss Me, Guido | Josephia Zito | |
| 1997 | The Full Monty | Emmy | |
| 1998 | The Object of My Affection | Mrs. Ochoa | |
| 1999 | Gloria | Tenant | |
| 2001 | Piñero | Senora | |
| 2005 | The Reality Trap | Consuela | |
| 2014 | Match | Mrs. Trujillo | |
| 2015 | Alto | Nonna Del Vecchio” |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2010 | Dora the Explorer | Abuela, Wizzles (voice) | 11 episodes |
| 2001–2002 | Courage the Cowardly Dog | Maria Ladrones, Space Chicken's Wife (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2017–2019 | Happy! | Assunta Bianchi |
References
- Seelye, Katharine Q. (March 22, 2019). "Antonia Rey, Latin Actress of Stage and Screen, Dies at 92". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
- "Antonia Rey". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
- "Kiss Me, Guido, TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved November 11, 2018.