Actor. Born Tomas Quintin Rodriguez, he was a versatile actor who was known for bringing intensity to the roles he played in both television and film during a career that spanned seven decades. He left his birthplace of Havana, Cuba and went to the United States to study method acting under Lee Strasburg at the Actors Studio in New York. After a couple of acting performances on both television and the Broadway stage, he went to Italy and stayed after being offered a part in Mauro Bolognini's film "The Big Night" in 1959. After he landed more supporting roles in other Bolognini films and in dramas by other Italian directors, he broke out as a Spaghetti Western star in such films as Sergio Sollima’s "The Big Gundown" (1966) and Giulio Petroni’s "Tepepa" (1969), in which Orson Welles also starred. During the mid-1970s, he transitioned to so-called "poliziottesco" films (police action films), most notably playing Roman police Inspector Nico Giraldi, a former thief, in the Bruno Corbucci-directed "Nico Giraldi" series of films. Later, he landed his first role in Umberto Lenzi’s hit series of "Er Monnezza" action comedies, which ran from 1976 to 1980 and made his popularity soar in Italy. In 1985 he came back to the United States and appeared in such television series and films as "Miami Vice", "The Equalizer", "L.A. Law", "Murder, She Wrote", "Oz", "Fools Rush In" (1997), "Amistad" (1997), and "Traffic" (2000). He earned several awards for his performances during his career.
Actor. Born Tomas Quintin Rodriguez, he was a versatile actor who was known for bringing intensity to the roles he played in both television and film during a career that spanned seven decades. He left his birthplace of Havana, Cuba and went to the United States to study method acting under Lee Strasburg at the Actors Studio in New York. After a couple of acting performances on both television and the Broadway stage, he went to Italy and stayed after being offered a part in Mauro Bolognini's film "The Big Night" in 1959. After he landed more supporting roles in other Bolognini films and in dramas by other Italian directors, he broke out as a Spaghetti Western star in such films as Sergio Sollima’s "The Big Gundown" (1966) and Giulio Petroni’s "Tepepa" (1969), in which Orson Welles also starred. During the mid-1970s, he transitioned to so-called "poliziottesco" films (police action films), most notably playing Roman police Inspector Nico Giraldi, a former thief, in the Bruno Corbucci-directed "Nico Giraldi" series of films. Later, he landed his first role in Umberto Lenzi’s hit series of "Er Monnezza" action comedies, which ran from 1976 to 1980 and made his popularity soar in Italy. In 1985 he came back to the United States and appeared in such television series and films as "Miami Vice", "The Equalizer", "L.A. Law", "Murder, She Wrote", "Oz", "Fools Rush In" (1997), "Amistad" (1997), and "Traffic" (2000). He earned several awards for his performances during his career.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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