- Born
- Died
- Birth nameVictor Jiménez
- Height5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
- Víctor Jiménez was born in Manhattan on November 5, 1934, to Maria L. Jimenez Rosario and Victor Jimenez, both originally from Quebradillas, Puerto Rico. Raised in the South Bronx, Victor's Latin upbringing and proximity to Jewish and Irish cultures gave him the multicultural preparation for a 50 year career as a character actor on stage, on television and in films.
Since his early twenties, he was a favorite of stage productions and on and off-Broadway plays. While appearing in plays in Greenwich Village in the 1960s, Victor made the acquaintance of Yoko Ono, with whom he participated in so-called "happenings" and fledgling actor Harvey Keitel, who remained his close friend for nearly forty years.
Bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles and New York City, Victor racked up an impressive roster of film credits. He made his major film debut in the early 70s in a small part in The Unholy Rollers (1972) and a year later made his television debut in the made for TV film Smile Jenny, You're Dead (1974) an ABC pilot for the series _Harry-O_. Argo became a durable movie tough guy and favorite of such directors including Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen and usually played rugged supporting roles, particularly cops, gangsters and criminals. His film credits include Taxi Driver (1976), The Rose_, New York Stories (1989), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Shadows and Fog (1991), True Romance (1993) and Coyote Ugly (2000). Argo also had recurring roles on such TV series ranging from Miami Vice (1984) to Law & Order (1990). In 2001, he played Jennifer Lopez's father in the film Angel Eyes (2001).
Between stage and film assignments, Victor volunteered his presence and name for a number of DIY and independent filmmakers. He died of complications from lung cancer in New York City at the age of 69. Shortly before his death , Victor realized a lifelong dream of acting on Broadway when he was cast in the Pulitzer Prize winning drama 'Anna in the Tropics'. He will be missed forever.
- IMDb mini biography by: Richard Harland Smith and Blythe379@cs.com
- ParentsVictor JimenezMaria L. Jimenez Rosario
- Frequently cast in Martin Scorsese's films.
- Often appeared in Abel Ferrara films
- Almost always played menacing Italian New Yorkers (though he was himself of Spanish heritage). However, one of his most memorable roles was as a good guy: the weary but righteous Detective Bishop in King of New York (1990).
- He was frequently cast as Italian and Irish Americans even though his real-life heritage was entirely Puerto Rican.
- He died from lung cancer at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center in Manhattan. His body was donated to Manhattan College for medical science.
- He appeared in six films directed by Martin Scorsese: Boxcar Bertha (1972), Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), After Hours (1985), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and New York Stories (1989).
- Appeared in 12 films with Harvey Keitel: Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), Falling in Love (1984), Off Beat (1986), The Pick-up Artist (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Bad Lieutenant (1992), Monkey Trouble (1994), Somebody to Love (1994), Smoke (1995), Blue in the Face (1995), and Lulu on the Bridge (1998).
- I'm embarrassed by walking in front of cameras, people taking pictures of me. But I like acting, and I like to see myself do good work. I really, really like it.
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