Víctor Manuel Mendoza

Virile Mexican actor In great demand as a leading man during the "golden era of Mexican films" and also featured in Hollywood and European films. According to a story that has been repeated through the years, young Victor Manuel left his native Tala, Jalisco, in order to study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City, and was supporting himself as a door to door vacuum cleaner salesman. That part of the tale is probably true, but what is told next has all the characteristics of an urban legend. On one occasion, Victor Manuel was peddling his wares to a most attentive housewife who wa more impressed by his personality than by his vacuum cleaner. The housewife was none other than actress Lina Boytler, who proceeded to refer the twenty-four year old traveling salesman to her husband Arcady Boytler, the noted Russian film producer and director. Not much is known about the initial meeting of the student with the movie technician, but it must have been quite positive since that same year, Victor Manuel Mendoza made his screen debut in the cast of "Almas rebeldes" (1937). In spite of his inexperience, the film industry saw in him the unmistakably gifts of a born actor, and in 1938 he was featured in five movies that confirmed his photogenic good looks and his ability to play different characters. After this auspicious beginning, Victor Manuel fell in love with acting, and worked hard to polish his craft. His efforts payed off and he became a favorite of film-goers, casting directors, and the media. He went on to receive every major acting award in the film industry, including the much coveted Ariel (Mexico's equivalent to the Hollywood Oscar) as best supporting actor for "Cuando lloran los valientes" (1945), and best actor for "Talpa" (1956). As he grew older, Victor Manuel continued working non-stop making a successful transition from leading man to character roles. However in 1990 he could no longer ignore a deteriorating health that forced him to turn down several film offers. He retired that same year to his beautiful estate in Cuautla, Morelos, and initially the change of pace proved helpful. However in 1995, the beloved actor contracted a serious cold which developed into pneumonia, and was interned at a hospital in Mexico City. He passed away at that medical facility on July 19th, leaving for posterity his unforgettable performances in over sixty films.