Jorge Antonio Russek Martínez (4 January 1932 – 30 July 1998) was a Mexican actor, whose career in film and television spanned over 40 years. A native of Guaymas, Sonora, he became one of the most prominent actors in Mexican cinema and appeared in more than 300 films in his career.
Russek appeared in Western films throughout the 1960s and 1970s, both in Mexican and American cinema, and won Ariel Awards for Best Actor in 1976 and Best Supporting Actor in 1989. He became known for playing norteños, or villainous characters such as gangsters, while simultaneously being recognized for his humility and pleasant personality off-set. Later in his career, Russek starred in several telenovelas and was a three-time winner of the TVyNovelas Award for Best Leading Actor.
Early life Russek was born on 4 January 1932 in Guaymas, Sonora, to Marcos Russek Ramírez and Luisa Lily Martínez Bustamante and had three older brothers. His mother's side of the family hailed from Durango, where his great-grandfather served as a local government official during the presidency of Benito Juárez. His father's family was of Polish Jewish origin with roots in Bolesławiec, Poland. His grandfather Marcus (or Marcos) Russek emigrated to Chihuahua from Poland in the late 1800s.Marcos Russek en entrada por Marcos Russek y Lilly Martinez, "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952"Marcos Russek en el registro de David S Russek, "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976" Russek was raised partly in the United States, and studied at the Harvard School for Boys (now Harvard-Westlake School) in North Hollywood, California.
Career
Film Russek entered the film industry as an extra in 1950. He also acted on stage early in his career, but quit because he felt asphyxiated in the dressing rooms. In 1954, Russek appeared in the Mexican-American film Sitting Bull. His first notable role was in the film La vida de Agustín Lara. Russek acted in films of many different genres, but became known for his roles in Western films in the late 1960s and early 1970s, both in Mexican and American cinema. He appeared in American television series such as I Spy and The High Chaparral, but he also landed roles in films such as The Wild Bunch (1969), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Soldier Blue (1970), Big Jake (1971), The Wrath of God (1972), and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), all while remaining active in Mexico.
Russek won the Diosa de Plata for Best Actor in 1973 for his role in the film . At the 18th Ariel Awards held in 1976, he won Best Actor for his role in . Russek also won the Ariel Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 31st Ariel Awards in 1989 for his role in Los camaroneros.
Telenovelas Russek earned his first main role in a telenovela in 1986 when he played the role of a Michoacán landowner named Don Fernando Vallarta in La gloria y el infierno, which aired on Televisa. His next main role on television was in the 1990 telenovela, Días sin luna, where he played the role of Rogelio Santamaría. For his performance, he won the TVyNovelas Award for Best Leading Actor at the 9th TVyNovelas Awards. Russek joined the cast of La fuerza del amor as Gustavo soon afterwards. He won his second TVyNovelas Award for Best Leading Actor for his performance as Samuel Aldapa in the 1996 hit telenovela, Cañaveral de Pasiones.
His final role was in Huracán, where he played the main antagonist, Néstor Villarreal, a wealthy businessman whose practices polluted the ocean. For his performance, he received the Award for Best Leading Actor at the 16th TVyNovelas Awards in May 1998.
Other work
Russek was a professional photographer whose pictures were shown at various exhibitions. He often brought his Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex camera to sets he worked on. Russek was known for his pictures of natural landscapes in Durango. He also served as an advisor to the Durango Directorate of Tourism and Cinematography from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1992 to 1998. In his final years, he worked on an autobiography, which was tentatively titled Una vida de película.
Personal life Russek was married to July Elvira Sánchez. He had two children and five grandchildren.
Death Russek died of a heart attack aged 66 on 30 July 1998 at a hospital in Mexico City. He was visited by friends such as Ernesto Alonso, Silvia Pinal, Norma Herrera, Raúl Araiza, and José Ángel Espinoza. Per his wishes, Russek was cremated and his ashes were spread in Durango, where he filmed many of his movies.
Legacy For years to follow after his death, cultural events were held every August in his honor in Durango. Additionally, a telesecundaria in Durango was named after Russek.
In 2007, a collection of almost 2,000 pictures taken by Russek was entered into the archives of the .
In a 2013 interview, Mario Almada stated that Russek was one of the actors he most admired.
Filmography
Film
Sitting Bull (1954) La odalisca No. 13 (1958) Villa!! (1958) – Rurale Lieutenant La vida de Agustín Lara (1959) – Rodolfo, coronel La última lucha (1959) – Amante de Delia (uncredited) Dos locos en escena (1960) The Dalton That Got Away (1960) ¡Mis abuelitas... nomás! (1961) Amor a balazo limpio (1961) – Marco Reyes Espiritismo (1962) – Eduardo Aguirre La máscara roja (1962) – Ramiro Los amigos Maravilla (1962) Los pistoleros (1962) – Martín García ¡En peligro de muerte! (1962) – Smith El monstruo de los volcanes (1963) – Valdés Cuando los hijos se pierden (1963) – Asaltante Los amigos Maravilla en el mundo de la aventura (1963) Las vengadoras enmascaradas (1963) Entre bala y bala (1963) La garra del leopardo (1963) – René Agente XU 777 (1963) – Espía Nos dicen las intocables (1964) El revólver sangriento (1964) – Secuaz de El Toro The Black Ghost (1964) El rostro de la muerte (1964) – Esbirro del rostro El padrecito (1964) – Matías El texano (1965) – Gustavo Nos lleva la tristeza (1965) El último cartucho (1965) – Cascabel El pueblo fantasma (1965) – El rápido El padre Diablo (1965) – Hermano de Lucinda She-Wolves of the Ring (1965) – Bronco La loba (1965) – Comisario Aquella Rosita Alvírez (1965) – Hipólito Ceija El tigre de Guanajuato: Leyenda de venganza (1965) ¡Ay Jalisco, no te rajes! (1965) – Silva Nolasco La maldición del oro (1965) – El Texano Los sheriffs de la frontera (1965) El hijo de Gabino Barrera (1965) El jinete justiciero en retando a la muerte (1966) – Hipólito El fugitivo (1966) – Lucas Alma grande (1966) – Bill Render La frontera sin ley (1966) – Julián Canales Los cuatro Juanes (1966) – Capitán Los malditos (1966) El comandante Furia (1966) El hijo del diablo (1966) – José Mancilla (Pepe) Sólo para tí (1966) – Sebastián Ramírez Vuelve el Texano (1966) El mexicano (1966) Rage (1966) – Himself 2nd La mano de Dios (1966) – Don Carlos Fuentes Jinetes de la llanura (1966) – José Menchaca Pedro Páramo (1967) – El Tilcuate La vuelta del Mexicano (1967) Alma Grande en el desierto (1967) El asesino se embarca (1967) – Villagrán Hour of the Gun (1967) – Deputy Latigo (uncredited) (1968) – Don Agustín La ley del gavilán (1968) – Comisario Caballo prieto azabache (1968) – El Coyote Guns for San Sebastian (1968) – Pedro Lucio Vázquez (1968) – Coronel Guajardo Valentín de la Sierra (1968) – Coronel Aldape Pax? (1968) Lauro Puñales (1969) – Coronel Villegas El hombre de negro (1969) – Jim Williams The Wild Bunch (1969) – Major Zamorra (1969) – Allen Lucero Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) – Bolivian Army Officer (uncredited) Soldier Blue (1970) – Running Fox Su precio... unos dólares (1970) – El Indio Alguien nos quiere matar (1970) – Cristóbal Big Jake (1971) – Saloon Bully in Escondero (uncredited) Siete muertes para el texano (1971) Dead Aim (1971) – District Commissioner (1971) – Sargento Jim (1972) – Licenciado The Wrath of God (1972) – Cordona La noche de los mil gatos (1972) – Husband Manuel Saldivar, el texano (1972) – Roy Vega Indio (1972) – Vargas Los indomables (1972) Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) – Silva Carne de horca (1973) – El mudo Adios, amor... (1973) ¡Quiero vivir mi vida! (1973) – Doctor Lugo Los doce malditos (1974) – Hawk Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) – Cueto Santo y Blue Demon contra el doctor Frankenstein (1974) – Dr. Irving Frankestein El pistolero del diablo (1974) El valle de los miserables (1975) – Pancracio El pequeño Robin Hood (1975) – Comisario Sangre derramada (1975) – Coronel Páez México, México, ra, ra, ra (1976) La gran aventura del Zorro (1976) – Capitán Santo contra las lobas (1976) El buscabullas (1976) – Ronald McCree The Return of a Man Called Horse (1976) – Blacksmith Juan Armenta, el repatriado (1976) – Mr. Clayton El hombre del puente (1976) – El Presidente Longitud de guerra (1976) – Gob. y Cor. Lauro Carrillo (1976) – Gerardo Guajardo Hot Snake (1976) – Sheriff The Mound Builders (1976) Dinastía de la muerte (1977) – Daniel del Fierro Sr. / Luis del Fierro Los temibles (1977) El diabólico (1977) – Arnold Weatherbee Carroña (1978) – Don Lupe Zanabria Convoy (1978) – Tiny Alvarez El niño y el tiburón (1978) – Don Ramón Tempestad (1978) Tigre (1979) Bloody Marlene (1979) – Viejo McCutchen Pasión por el peligro (1979) Eagle's Wing (1979) – Gonzalo Amor a la mexicana (1979) En la cuerda del hambre (1979) Caboblanco (1980) – Minister Ilegales y mojados (1980) – Sr. Donoghan El rey de los tahures (1980) – Pedro Mírame con ojos pornográficos (1980) – Jorge Coro Emilio Varela vs Camelia la Texana (1980) El robo imposible (1981) – Don Teófilo Juan el enterrador (1981) Zorro, The Gay Blade (1981) – Don Fernando La Chèvre (1981) – Fernando (uncredited) Missing (1982) – Espinoza The Honorary Consul (1983) – Señor Escobar El vengador del 30-06 (1983) – El chueco Robespierre Encuentro con la muerte (1984) La hija del general (1984) Lázaro Cárdenas (1985) Pleasures (1986, TV Movie) – Ritherman Miracles (1986) – The Judge El río de oro (1986) – Armando Oceans of Fire (1986, TV Movie) – Cox Motín en la cárcel (1986) (1986) (1987) – Rastreador Los plomeros y las ficheras (1988) Domingo corrales (1988) El solitario indomable (1988) – Don Carlos Los camaroneros (1988) (1988) – Abuelo Licence to Kill (1989) – Pit Boss Rosa de dos aromas (1989) El jinete de la divina providencia (1989) (1990) – Capo La zona del silencio (1990) Funerales del terror (1990) – Comandante Escuadrón salvaje (1990, Video) – Comandante Nacidos para morir (1991) (1991) – Fat Man Pure Luck (1991) – Inspector Segura Pecado original (1991) Highway Patrolman (1991) – Sr. Mateos Retén (1991, Video) Gertrudis (1992) – Sr. Bocanegra La tumba del Atlántico (1992) – Anthony Arndold Policía de homicidios (1992, Video) – Comandante de Soto Ramiro Sierra (1992) Asesinos de la frontera (1992, Video) Reto a la ley (1992) Odio, amor y muerte (1993) En medio de la nada (1993) La última batalla (1993) – El Viejo Halcones de la muerte – Espias mortales (1993) – Romo Contrabando de esmeraldas (1993) Memoria del cine mexicano (1993) – Himself Una maestra con ángel (1994) Ámbar (1994) – Corbett La Chilindrina en apuros (1994) – Padre Casimiro El alimento del miedo (1994) Muerte a la mafia (1994, Video) El chacal del puerto (1996, Video) Pensamientos (1996) – Comandante
Television