Roger C. Cudney (June 22, 1936 – July 5, 2021) was an American actor and singer, long based in Mexico.
Life and career Cudney was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1936. He first arrived in Mexico City in the 1960s in the cast of the touring musical Show Boat. He worked for CBS as a radio announcer covering the 1968 Summer Olympics, and later the Acapulco Film Festival.
Cudney was known for starring in numerous Mexican films and telenovelas in which he often portrayed authoritarian characters or other villains. In 2003, The Wall Street Journal described his career playing 'unpopular gringos', writing:Some Mexicans know him as a plunderer of ancient archaeological treasures. Others remember him as the union-busting manager of a sweatshop. Still others recognize Mr. Cudney as a pathologically nasty Texas ranger or a meddling diplomat.... "Roger Cudney is the epitome of the bad gringo, a blending of all the worst American stereotypes," says David Wilt, who compiled the Biographical Dictionary of Mexican Film Performers. Cudney also had parts in mainstream Hollywood films shot in Mexico, including a co-starring role opposite Charles Bronson in The Evil That Men Do, Total Recall, Rambo: First Blood Part II, the James Bond film Licence to Kill, Julia, Perdita Durango and Original Sin. He portrayed the part of the United States Ambassador to Mexico in La dictadura perfecta.
Personal life Cudney was married to Eloisa Bueno, with three sons and one daughter. He was a longtime resident of Interlomas.
Death Cudney died in Mexico City on July 5, 2021, of a heart attack following a car accident. His final film, The Containment, was released three years after his death in 2024.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1971 Eye for an Eye Original title: El sabor de la venganza1972 Ni solteros, ni casados Spanish-language comedy 1972 The Revengers Sheriff Uncredited1972 Slaughter Gio blaxploitation film starring Jim Brown1975 Mary, Mary, Bloody Mary Howard Miller 1975 Lucky Lady Hotel clerk 1976 Swashbuckler Guard Uncredited1976 El karateca azteca Calvin Spanish-language comedy1977 Mina, Wind of Freedom Colonel Young Original title: "Mina, viento de libertad"; biography of Martín Javier Mina y Larrea1977 Los hermanos del viento Conductor 1978 Roots of Blood Factory Foreman Original title: "Raíces de sangre"1978 The Recourse to the Method Army captain Original title: "El recurso del método"1978 Cananea Ted Nolan cinematic account of the Cananea strike of 19061978 The Bees Blankeley 1979 Border Cop Slaughterhouse foreman 1980 Cattle Annie and Little Britches Capps 1980 El hombre sin miedo Mr. Brown 1981 357 Magnum Mario Frasca 1981 Priest of Love British biographical film about D. H. Lawrence1982 Red Bells Soviet Union-Italy-Mexico co-production1982 Amityville II: The Possession Prosecutor Uncredited1982 Quell and Co. Ames Original title: "Showdown at Eagle Gap"1983 Triumphs of a Man Called Horse Durand 1984The Evil That Men Do Cannell 1984 Escuela de placer 1984 El mexicano feo 1984 Toy Soldiers Mr. Green 1984 Hombres de acción 1984 El traficante II 1984 El carro de la muerte 1984 Perros salvajes Alternate title: "Wild Dogs"1985 The Falcon and the Snowman FBI agent Uncredited1985 Rambo: First Blood Part II Chief Radio Operator Uncredited1985 La fuga del rojo Callahan 1985 Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins Captain Young 1986 Miracles Captain Irvine 1986 La venganza del rojo Callahan 1986 Ghost Fever TV announcer US-Mexico co-production1986 Murieron a la mitad del rio Mr. Smith 1987 A Walk on the Moon 1987 Hot Pursuit Bartender 1987 Ratas de la frontera 1988 Con el odio en la piel 1988 Deathstalker and the Warriors from Hell Inaros Alternate title: "Deathstalker III: The Warriors from Hell"1988 Con el niño atravesado Banker 1988 Licence to Kill Wavekrest Captain 16th film in the James Bond series 1990 Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back Hofrax Direct-to-video1990 Total Recall Agent 6th highest-grossing film of 19901990 El fiscal de hierro 2: La venganza de Ramona 1990 Demons of the Desert Original title: "Los demonios del desierto"1992 Muerte infernal Dr. Emmanuel Richter Alternate title: "Hell doll"1994 Juana la Cubana biography of Juana Bacallao1994 Immortal Combat Stan Alternate title: "Resort to Kill"1995 Una papa sin catsup 1996 The Arrival JPL Official 1997 Perdita Durango Herbert 1997 Henequen Ranch foreman depiction of Korean henequen field laborers in Mexico circa 19051999 Santitos Scott Haines 1999 One Man's Hero Col. William S. Harney Dramatization of John Riley and the Saint Patrick's Battalion: Irish Catholic immigrants who deserted the mostly Protestant U.S. Army to join the mostly Catholic Mexican side during Mexican–American War.2000 Baño de sangre El General Direct-to-video2001 Blind Heat Bautista US-Mexico co-production2001 Original Sin Ship's Captain 2004 Puerto Vallarta Squeeze Bill the Bartender Adaptation of novel by Robert James Waller2004 The Pearl based on novella by John Steinbeck2006 The Champion Minuteman Original title: "Los pajarracos"2006 Fast Food Nation Terry loosely based on Eric Schlosser's bestselling 2001 non-fiction book of the same name2007 Propiedad Ajena Roger Cassey 2007 The Wailer 2 Professor Tomas McBride Original title: "La Llorona 2"2008 Julia Frank US/France/Mexico/Belgium co-production2011 La Noche del Pirata Paddy O'Brien 2012 Soul Walker Donato 2012 Z-Baw Great Chancellor English version, Voice2012 For Greater Glory US Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg alternate titles: "Cristiada" and "Outlaws"2012 Portion Art 2012 The Fantastic World of Juan Orol Don Guillermo 2013 Instructions Not Included Abogado de Julie Original title: "No se aceptan devoluciones"2014 Cesar Chavez Grower 2014 The Perfect Dictatorship Embajador USA Original title: "La dictadura perfecta"2014 Cantinflas John film biography of popular Mexican actor/icon Cantinflas2014 Happy Times Dr. Guillermo Murray Original title: "Tiempos Felices"2016 Hysteria Stephen 2017 Diario de un Mirrey Don Steven Rice 2018 Más sabe el Diablo por viejo Stuart Young 2019 Mentada de padre Williams
Television Year Title Role Notes1971 The Virginian Cowboy Episode: "Flight from Memory"1975 McCloud Drake Episode: "Lady on the Run"1975 Nevada Smith Perkins TV Movie1975 A Home of Our Own Oil executive TV movie biography of Father William Wasson1977 The Rhinemann Exchange party guest 3-part miniseries1980 Mein Freund Winnetou Episode: "Duels"1980 Secreto de confesión Burton 3 episodes1981 Computercide Robbins TV Movie1982 Falcon's Gold Hathaway TV Movie1986 On Wings of Eagles General Jerome O'Malley 2-part miniseries1986 Oceans of Fire Tool pusher TV Movie1987 Auf Achse Theo Moll Episode: "Kampfstiere nach Santa Maria"1987 Rosa salvaje Botones en el hotel de Nueva York 1 episode1988 The Aeronauts Original title: "Les nouveaux chevaliers du ciel"1988 Crime Story Jenkins 2 episodes1988 The Second Voyage of the Mimi Harvey Westerman PBS-broadcast educational series; 12 episodes1989 Trying Times Persival Episode: "The Hit List"1991 Tropical Heat Ezra Episode: "Tara, Tara, Tara"1994 The Cisco Kid Alcott TV Movie1994 The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story Reporter TV Movie1997 La chacala Professor Von Derek 5 episodes1998 Soñadoras Doctor 1 episode1999 Acapulco H.E.A.T. Arthur Cox Episode: "Code Name: Death of a Friendship"1999 Por tu amor Doctor 1 episode2000 Carita de ángel Ryan 1 episode2000 Por un beso Dr. Newman 1 episode2001 Warden of Red Rock Prisoner TV Movie2001 In the Time of the Butterflies Dominican Ambassador Manuel de Moya TV film about lives of the activist Mirabal sisters2001 Mujer, Casos de la Vida Real 1 episode2001 Blameless Love/Sin pecado concebido Dr. Reyes 4 episodes2001 Amigas y rivales Hombre con rifle 1 episode2002 Fidel Ambassador Butler TV Movie, David Attwood's film about the Cuban revolution and political career of Fidel Castro2002 King of Texas Smithwick William Shakespeare's King Lear placed in 19th century Republic of Texas2004 Rubí Stephen Howard 6 episodes2004 American Family Desert Driver 2 episodes2004 Wooden Woman/Mujer de madera Dr. Wilson 2 episodes2005 La ley del silencio Meyer 11 episodes2006 La fea más bella Manager 1 episode2006 Vecinos Director Canadiense Episode: "Los Rivers en Canadá: Parte 1"2007 Species: The Awakening Leland TV Movie2007–2008 Palabra de mujer Doctor Wilkins 5 episodes2008–2009 Mañana es para siempre U.S. Ambassador 7 episodes2009 Juro Que Te Amo Empresario 1 episode2009 Hasta que el dinero nos separe Doctor 2 episodes2009 Los simuladores Empresario 3 episodes2009 El Pantera Rich man 1 episode2010 Llena de amor Airport security guard 1 episode2010 El octavo mandamiento Doctor 1 episode2011 La fuerza del destino Mark 35 episodes2011 Double Life/Dos hogares Mister Daivis 15 episodes2011 El encanto del águila Paul Von Hintze 1 episode2011 La que no podía amar Vaquero texano 3 episodes2012 Por ella soy Eva Mr. Keaton 2 episodes2012 Un refugio para el amor 3 episodes2010–2012 Capadocia James Medina 14 episodes2014 Camelia la Texana Dr. Fragger 4 episodes2015 Hasta el fin del mundo Mike Stone (Mister Sam)Hasta el fin del mundo 5 episodes2016 Sueño de amor Andrew 12 episodes2016 Por siempre Joan Sebastian Doctor miniseries - 1 episode2016 40 y 20 Arnold Episode: "Se renta departamento"2017 Su nombre era Dolores, la Jenn que yo conocí Mr. Perkins Episode: "Sufriendo a solas"2017 La doble vida de Estela Carrillo Jonas Logan 20 episodes2017 Run Coyote Run Jefe de Migracion Episode: "Un Lindo Gatito"2018 Descontrol Morrison Episode: "Call Center"2018 Hijas de la luna 3 episodes2019 El corazón nunca se equivoca 2 episodes2019 Swipe Night Stranger 1 episode
References
External links