Victor Argo
Victor Argo was an American actor of Puerto Rican descent who usually played the part of a tough bad guy in his movies. He is best known for Mean Streets, Taxi Driver , Hot Tomorrows, Raw Deal, The Last Temptation of Christ, King of New York, and McBain.
Early years
Argo was born Victor Jimenez in The Bronx, New York. Both of his parents were born in the town of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico.Career
Stage
Argo began his career as a stage actor. Attempting to break into show business at a time when there was much prejudice against Latino performers, Victor professionally adopted the surname "Argo" to better his casting chances, stating in an interview that he "felt the prejudice was against the name, not even against me." While performing in an Off-Broadway play during the 1960s, Argo met Yoko Ono, with whom he participated in the so-called "Happening" movement. He met Harvey Keitel during the early stages of his career; the two actors remained close friends for nearly forty years and worked together on several films, including Bad Lieutenant which Argo helped persuade Keitel to accept the lead role for. In 1977, Argo became a founding member of the Riverside Shakespeare Company on New York City's Upper West Side. As a member, he toured the parks of Manhattan playing Lord Montague.Screen
Argo lent his talents to nearly seventy theatrical films and forty television films and series.Argo made his film debut in February of 1972 in Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues as the 2nd Cuban. Argo appeared later that same year in June in Boxcar Bertha credited as one of "The McIvers" in the opening credits. Argo as "McIver #1" along with David Osterhout as McIver #2, are railroad detectives charged with keeping hobo stowaways from riding in the boxcars. Also that year, he had a small role in Unholy Rollers. Often playing the part of the New York City 'heavy' or mobster on film, Argo was a favorite of such directors as Martin Scorsese, Abel Ferrara and Woody Allen. His film credits include Taxi Driver, King of New York, The Rose, New York Stories, The Last Temptation of Christ, Bad Lieutenant, True Romance, and Coyote Ugly. He played the father of Jennifer Lopez's character in the 2001 romantic drama Angel Eyes.
On television in February of 1973 Argo appeared on The Waltons, followed by All in the Family in September that same year, and Kojak afterwards. In 1974, he appeared in the made-for-TV film Smile Jenny, You're Dead. Also in the 1970s, Argo's television guest appearances include Starsky & Hutch, The Rockford Files and Wonder Woman both in 1977, and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
In 1985, Argo appeared on The Equalizer episode "The Defector" as O'Hare, who poses as a police officer and puts Melissa Leo's character, Russian ballerina Irina Dzershinsky, into "protective" custody by order of the KGB. Other appearances in the 1980s include, Spenser: For Hire, Miami Vice, and episodes of Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.
Music
Outside of acting on the screen and stage, another deep passion for Argo was country music, the actor at one time having traveled to Nashville to cut several song demos.Later years and death
Shortly before his death, Argo realized a lifelong dream of performing on Broadway when he was cast as Santiago, the owner of a cigar factory, in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Anna in the Tropics. In his last screen role, in the independent film Lustre by director Art Jones, Argo portrayed a New York City loan shark who retreats from his everyday, hard-nosed rants to a deeply spiritual retreat from the world. The film was released in 2005. Argo died in New York City at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center on April 7, 2004, from complications of lung cancer at age 69. His body was donated to Manhattan College for medical science. In 2005, Electronic music group Bodega System released a 12" vinyl LP which includes the track "Victor Argo".Filmography
Film
Theatrical films in which Argo had a role follow.Dealing as 2nd CubanBoxcar Bertha as McIver #1Unholy Rollers as Vinnie The Trainer Mean Streets as MarioThe Don Is Dead as Augie 'The Horse'The Terminal Man as OrderlyTaxi Driver as Melio, Bodega ClerkHot Tomorrows as TonyWhich Way Is Up? as AngelThe Rose as LockermanHanky Panky as PallbearerRomando as Don PiriFalling in Love as Victor RawlinsThe Electric Chair as ComicDesperately Seeking Susan as Sergeant TaskalAfter Hours as Diner CashierOff Beat as LeonRaw Deal as Dangerous ManThe Pick-up Artist as HarrisThe Last Temptation of Christ as Peter, ApostleHer Alibi as AvramNew York Stories as Cop Crimes and Misdemeanors as DetectiveKing of New York as Lieutenant Roy BishopQuick Change as Mike SkeltonMcBain as El PresidenteShadows and Fog as Hacker's Vigilante #2Bad Lieutenant as Beat CopTrue Romance as LennyDangerous Game as Director of PhotographyHousehold Saints as Lino FalconettiMen Lie as Scott's DadMonkey Trouble as CharlieSomebody to Love as Santa ClausSmoke as VinnieBlue in the Face as VinnieCondition Red as Victor KleinThe Funeral as JuliusNext Stop Wonderland as FrankGoing Nomad as SpiroLulu on the Bridge as PierreSide Streets as Albani KrugNew Rose Hotel as Portuguese Business ManFast Horses as ZackOn the Run as Man ShavingComing Soon as Mr. NeiprisGhost Dog: The Way of the Samurai as VinnyBlue Moon as TonyThe Yards as Paul LazaridesFast Food Fast Women as SeymourLove = ^3 as Mr. CarreraCoyote Ugly as PeteDouble Whammy as Lieutenant Spigot'R Xmas as LouieAngel Eyes as Carl PogueQueenie in Love as HoraceThe Man Who Knew Belle Starr as Diner OwnerDon't Say a Word as Syd SimonBridget as GrantAnything But Love as SalDirt as El Gringo NestorPersonal Sergeant as Chuck ManettaLustre as HugoTelevision
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
| 1973 | The Waltons | Zvelei | Episode: "The Gypsies" | |
| 1973 | All in the Family | Mr. Estrada | Episode: "We're Having a Heat Wave" | |
| 1974 | Smile Jenny, You're Dead | Sgt. Richard Marum | TV movie | |
| 1974 | Kojak | Joseph Crespi | Episode: "The Chinatown Murders" | |
| 1975 | Force Five | Frankie Hatcher | TV movie | |
| 1975 | Starsky & Hutch | Rudy Solenko | Episode: "Lady Blue" | |
| 1977 | Wonder Woman | Jason | Episode: "Last of the Two Dollar Bills" | |
| 1977 | The Rockford Files | Jud Brown | 1 episode | |
| 1979 | Buck Rogers in the 25th Century | Raphael Argus | 2 episodes | |
| 1981 | Dream House | Ramirez | TV movie | |
| 1985 | Spenser: For Hire | Hitman | 1 episode | |
| 1985 | The Equalizer | O'Hare | Episode: "The Defector" | |
| 1986 | Florida Straits | Pablo Cheruka | TV movie | |
| 1988 | Miami Vice | Commandante Salazar | 2 episodes | |
| 1990 | Johnny Ryan | Frank Costello | TV movie | |
| 1990 | Vendetta: Secrets of the Mafia | Persico | TV miniseries | |
| 1992 | Law & Order | Jose Tirado | Episode: "Cradel to Grave" | |
| 1995 | Dark Eyes | Rray Cedeno | 1 episode | |
| 1996 | Sins of Silence | Nick DiMatteo | TV movie | |
| 1997 | Law & Order | Enrique Flores | Episode: "Barter" | |
| 2003 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Mr. Garcia | Episode: "See Me" |