Argentine actor Héctor Alterio dies at 96

Madrid.- Actor Héctor Alterio (Buenos Aires, 1929), father of performers Malena and Ernesto Alterio, has passed away this Saturday at the age of 96, according to information provided by his family in a statement distributed by Pentación Espectáculos.

"With deep sorrow we want to inform you that today, December 13th in the morning, Héctor Alterio has left us. He passed away peacefully after a long and full life dedicated to his family and art, being professionally active until today. Rest in peace," the statement assures.

Héctor Alterio, who received the Goya de Honor in 2004 from his children, rose to the stage at a very young age and continued there until the end of his life, with a tour with the text 'Una pequeña historia' (A small story), of autobiographical tints.

Migrant Family

He settled in Spain in 1975, when he had to leave Argentina – he had been born into a family of Neapolitan emigrants – due to death threats, where he started again until he won the affection and applause of the public.

He was one of the most outstanding performers of his generation, both in his native Argentina and in Spain, where he prolifically developed his career and where he was recognized with the Goya de Honor 2004 from the Film Academy, of which he was a member. Alterio debuted as an actor in 1948, with the play 'Prohibido suicidarse en primavera' (Forbidden to Commit Suicide in Spring), by Alejandro Casona. After finishing his Dramatic Arts studies, he created the Nuevo Teatro company, with which he worked for the renewal of the Argentine scene during the 60s.

Although his fame as an actor would come through cinema, where he debuted alongside Alfredo Mathé in 'Todo sol es amargo' (Every Sun is Bitter) and where he participated in some of the best films of the new generation of Argentine filmmakers, such as Leopoldo Torre Nilsson.

Threatened by the Triple A

It was in 1975 when he settled in Spain, after being threatened with death by the Triple A, beginning his enormous bond with Spanish cinema, collaborating with important figures of our cinema such as Jaime Chávarri, in 'To an Unknown God', with which he obtained the Silver Shell of the San Sebastián Festival; 'The Crime of Cuenca', by Pilar Miró; or 'El nido', the story of Jaime de Armiñán nominated for an Oscar in 1980. Despite establishing his residence in Spain, he did not stop participating in numerous films in his native country, starring in four of the first Argentine films to be nominated for the Hollywood Academy Awards: 'La tregua' (1974), 'Camila' (1984), 'La historia oficial' (1985), which won the Oscar and 'El hijo de la novia' (2001). His last work on the big screen was in 2015, 'Due uomini, quattro donne e una mucca depressa', by the Italian Anna di Francisca and released in 2015 although, he could also be seen in 2014 in 'Kamikaze', by Álex Pina.

Recognitions for His/Her Career

In 2004, he received the honorary Goya from his children Ernesto and Malena Alterio, also recognized performers in film, theater, and television in our country and across the Atlantic.

In 2008, his native Argentina recognized him with the Silver Condor for his cinematographic career, and in 2023, the Kirchner Cultural Center of Buenos Aires gave him a tribute that was attended by a large group of film professionals from Argentina, such as Ricardo Darín.

Pentación Espectáculos, producer of his last show, has regretted "with deep sorrow and grief" the death of Alterio, a figure notably highlighted in the cultural sphere of both Argentina and Spain.

Jesús Cimarro, producer of his last show, 'Una pequeña historia', has stated: "One of our great performers of the Spanish and Argentine scene is leaving us. I had the honor of being his producer in numerous productions. Bon voyage, dear Héctor."

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