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Engraved portrait of Anthony Quinn
Film & Screen · 1950s

Anthony Quinn

In memoriam 1915–2001

“A towering character actor whose passionate roles crossed every border of nationality and temperament.”

Antonio Quinn, Chihuahua, Mexico, 1915Born
June 3, 2001 (age 86), BostonDied
2 Best Supporting Actor (1952, 1956)Oscars
1936-2001Years active
Painter and sculptorOther arts
The Turning Point

After years of supporting roles, Quinn won the 1952 Best Supporting Actor Oscar for 'Viva Zapata!' as Emiliano Zapata's brother, making him a major star. He won a second Oscar for 'Lust for Life' (1956), then defined his legend as the exuberant peasant in 'Zorba the Greek' (1964). His earthy vitality made him an international icon.

Anthony Quinn at Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport, 1959
Anthony Quinn at Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport, 1959

Early Life

Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1915 during the Mexican Revolution, Quinn grew up poor in East Los Angeles. He worked odd jobs before turning to acting in the mid-1930s.

Anthony Quinn publicity portrait, circa 1950s
Anthony Quinn publicity portrait, circa 1950s

Rise to Stardom

Marriage into the DeMille family and steady character work led to his Oscar-winning 'Viva Zapata!' (1952). A second Oscar for 'Lust for Life' confirmed his stature as a powerhouse actor.

Legacy

'Zorba the Greek' (1964) cemented his image as an embodiment of robust, life-affirming humanity. Across some 150 films he played every nationality and remained a working star into the 1990s.

Career Timeline

  1. 1915Born Antonio Quinn in Chihuahua, Mexico
  2. 1936Begins Hollywood film career
  3. 1937Marries Katherine DeMille, daughter of Cecil B. DeMille
  4. 1947Wins Tony Award on Broadway in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'
  5. 1952Wins Supporting Oscar for 'Viva Zapata!'
  6. 1956Second Oscar for 'Lust for Life' as Gauguin
  7. 1964Stars as 'Zorba the Greek,' earning lead Oscar nod
  8. 1962Featured in 'Lawrence of Arabia'
  9. 2001Dies at 86 in Boston, Massachusetts

Biggest Hits

1952
Viva Zapata!Won his first Supporting Actor Oscar
1956
Lust for LifeSecond Oscar for his Paul Gauguin
1954
La StradaFellini classic; brutal, tender strongman Zampanò
1964
Zorba the GreekCareer-defining role; joyous life-force performance
1962
Lawrence of ArabiaEpic supporting turn as Auda abu Tayi
1961
The Guns of NavaroneHit WWII adventure ensemble
Did You Know
  • He was the first Mexican-American actor to win an Academy Award.
  • Quinn was an accomplished painter and sculptor whose artwork was exhibited and sold internationally.

The Moment You Remember

As Zorba, dancing the slow, building sirtaki on a Cretan beach, Quinn turned a moment of ruin into a defiant celebration of life. The image of his outstretched arms and stamping feet became one of the most enduring in postwar cinema, fixing him forever in the popular memory.

Portrait: Unknown author · Public domain (PD-US, no copyright notice) · via Wikimedia Commons

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