Valentin Trujillo

Rafael Valentín Trujillo Gazcón (28 March 1951 – 4 May 2006) was a Mexican actor, writer and director. His career spanned 48 years, where he appeared in over 140 films and directed 20 films.

Trujillo was born on 28 March 1951, in a show business family as his grandfather was film producer Valentín Gazcón and his uncle was actor Gilberto Gazcón. He made his film debut as an infant.

Trujillo studied law at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), but chose to become an actor instead after obtaining his degree.

Trujillo made his acting debut at the age of seven in the film El Gran Pillo (1958). As a teen he acted in the Columbia Pictures release Rage (1966) alongside Glenn Ford and Stella Stevens.

Beginning in the early 1970s, Trujillo was cast often as the male lead. The film Las figuras de arena (1970) directed by Roberto Gavaldón established him as a leading man. He worked steadily as the leading man in action films over the next decade, completing over 30 films between 1970 and 1979.

In addition to action films, Trujillo expanded his range in a number of films that incorporated commentary about modern social issues and politics in Mexico. The film Perro Callejero (1980) won a Silver Goddess for Best Picture and Trujillo, who portrayed the lead drunken character, was awarded Best Actor by Premios ACE.

Trujillo met actress Lucía Méndez on the set of a film in 1972 and they dated for three years, though he ended the relationship after she refused to marry him. Trujillo married another actress, Patricia María, and they had three children: Valentín Jr., Patricia and Rodrigo. He later married Scarlett Alvarado, with whom he had a son. Valentín Jr. went on to become a film director and producer.

Beginning in the 1980s, Trujillo began writing and directing his films. He made his directorial debut with the 1986 release of Ratas de la ciudad [es] . He released several popular action films and was soon the top box office draw in Mexico.

Trujillo was nominated for several Ariel Awards in the 1980s, including Best Supporting Actor for El Ansia de Matar (1987) and Best Story and Screenplay for Violación (1989). The latter also was the first film to co-star his son, Valentin Trujillo Jr. Together they co-starred in close to 20 films together before Trujillo's untimely death.

Trujillo died in his sleep from a heart attack on 4 May 2006; he was 55 years old.