Jake Canuso (born 1970) is a Swiss-British actor, best known for his role in the ITV comedy series Benidorm, in which he played the Solana barman Mateo Castellanos from 2007 until 2018. Canuso was a professional dancer for eighteen years, working with artists Kylie Minogue, Rozalla, Spice Girls, Annie Lennox and Elton John.
Early life Canuso was born near Zurich, Switzerland, to immigrants from southern Italy. He moved to the United Kingdom as a young boy.
Career Previously a dancer, Canuso appeared dressed as a ballet dancer in the music video for "No More I Love You's" by Annie Lennox. He also appeared in the video of Kakko's 1990 song "We Should Be Dancing", JX's "Son of a Gun", Alex Party's "Don't Give Me Your Life", Carter USM's "Let's Get Tattoos", 2 unlimited's "Here I Go", and Emma Bunton's "Crickets Sing for Anamaria". Canuso also toured as a dancer for acts including the Spice Girls, Elton John and Annie Lennox. He also appeared as a dancer on Top of the Pops.
Between 2007-2018, Canuso featured in the ITV comedy series Benidorm as flirtatious barman Mateo Castellanos and is the sitcom's longest-serving actor, appearing in all 74 episodes. Canuso was chosen along with several other members of the cast to star in Benidorm Live, a touring stage adaptation of the show.
In January 2013, Canuso participated in ITV diving show Splash!, hosted by Gabby Logan and Vernon Kay.
Canuso has performed in numerous pantomimes. In 2022, he appeared as Abanazar in Aladdin, which was staged at the Rhyl Pavilion Theatre.
Personal life Canuso was married to Benidorm creator Derren Litten but they separated in late 2022 and divorced in August 2024.
He survived the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004, whilst on holiday in Ko Phra Thong, Thailand. He climbed a tree after seeing the first waves, and was trapped underwater after the tree snapped. He developed aquaphobia and did not swim for several years.
Credits Film Year Title Role Notes 2004 School for Seduction Giovanni Piccadilly Jim Marcel 2005 Kinky Boots Waiter Russian Dolls Miguel 2006 In A Day Italian Waiter Flyboys French Infantryman Flirting with Flamenco Pablo 2007 Tick Tock Lullaby Laurence 2008 Journal of a Contract Killer Alessandro 2009 City Rats Marco Harper Nine Reporter 4 2011 Naachle London Alan 2012 The Dark Knight Rises Waiter in Florence café 2019 Fork Robert Medlow Wisteria Cottage Carl Short film 2024 Fyre Rises Alejandro
Television Year Title Role Notes 2004 Hustle Barman Series 1 episode 5: A Touch of Class Keen Eddie Michael Hoffman Series 1 episode 13: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité 2005 Heartbeat Giovanni Viora Series 14 episode 15: Icon Casualty Matt Franks Series 19 episode 40: Swallowers 2006 Doctors Andy Clark Series 7 episode 155: Ignorance is Bliss 2007 Suburban Shootout Yuri 1 episode 2007–2018 Benidorm Mateo Castellanos 74 episodes 2009 Shameless Damien di Soto Series 6 episode 4: Loving Wife 2012 The Hour Peter Grey Series 2 episode 3: Vice 2013 The Bible Daniel 9 episodes Bad Education Javier Series 2 episode 7 2014 Cardinal Burns Priest Series 2 episode 5: The Priest 2017 Snatch Petru 1 episode Drunk History Various characters 5 episodes; series 3 2018 The Royals Javier 1 episode 2019 Scarborough Tony Peroni 6 episodes MyBad! Stewie Television film 2024 Grace Pierre Series 4, episode 4
Music videos Year Artist Title 1991 Kylie Minogue Give Me Just A Little More Time 1994 Carter USM Let's Get Tattoos JX Son of a Gun 1995 2 Unlimited Here I Go Alex Party Don't Give Me Your Life Annie Lennox No More I Love You's 1997 Spice Girls Too Much 2004 Emma Bunton Crickets Sing for Anamaria
Theatre Year Title Role Location 2014–2015 Aladdin Abanazar The Forum, Billingham 2015–2016 Jack & the Beanstalk Jack Alhambra Theatre, Bradford 2017–2018 Mother Goose Demon Vanity Sheffield Lyceum, Sheffield 2018–2019 Benidorm Live Mateo Castellanos UK tour with 250 shows 2019–2020 Aladdin The Genie New Theatre, Hull 2022 Abanazar Rhyl Pavilion Theatre
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2004 Driver 3 Didier Dubois, additional voices 2012 Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney Additional voices
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