Carlos Arruza
Encyclopedia
Carlos Arruza born Carlos Ruiz Camino, was one of the most prominent bullfighters of the 20th century. He was known as "El Ciclón" ("the cyclone").
Arruza was born in Mexico
to Spanish parents. He began fighting bulls at age 14 in Mexico City, and moved to Spain
in 1944. He and Manolete
were Spain's top matadors of the 1940s.
Arruza retired to a ranch outside Mexico City in 1953, but made a comeback as a rejoneador
, fighting bulls from horseback. He appeared in two Mexican films about bullfighting, and had a part in the 1960 John Wayne
film The Alamo
. He was the subject of the 1971 documentary Arruza, directed by Budd Boetticher
. Arruza's sons, Manolo and Carlos Jr., also became prominent toreros.
Carlos Arruza died on May 20, 1966 in an automobile accident while on the road from Toluca
, State of Mexico to Mexico City.
Arruza was born in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to Spanish parents. He began fighting bulls at age 14 in Mexico City, and moved to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1944. He and Manolete
Manolete
Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez , better known as Manolete, was a Spanish bullfighter.He rose to prominence shortly after the Spanish Civil War and is considered by some to be the greatest bullfighter of all time. His style was sober and serious, with few concessions to the gallery, and he...
were Spain's top matadors of the 1940s.
Arruza retired to a ranch outside Mexico City in 1953, but made a comeback as a rejoneador
Rejoneador
Rejoneador is the name given to a bullfighter who fights the bull on horseback. The rejoneador shouldn't be confused with the picador, who is just an assistant of the matador...
, fighting bulls from horseback. He appeared in two Mexican films about bullfighting, and had a part in the 1960 John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
film The Alamo
The Alamo (1960 film)
The Alamo is a 1960 American historical epic released by United Artists. The film was directed by John Wayne, who also starred as Davy Crockett. The cast also includes Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie and Laurence Harvey as William B...
. He was the subject of the 1971 documentary Arruza, directed by Budd Boetticher
Budd Boetticher
Oscar "Budd" Boetticher, Jr. was a film director during the classical period in Hollywood most famous for the series of low-budget Westerns he made in the late 1950s starring Randolph Scott.Known for their sparse style, dramatic rocky locations near Lone Pine, California, and recurring stories of...
. Arruza's sons, Manolo and Carlos Jr., also became prominent toreros.
Carlos Arruza died on May 20, 1966 in an automobile accident while on the road from Toluca
Toluca
Toluca, formally known as Toluca de Lerdo, is the state capital of Mexico State as well as the seat of the Municipality of Toluca. It is the center of a rapidly growing urban area, now the fifth largest in Mexico. It is located west-southwest of Mexico City and only about 40 minutes by car to the...
, State of Mexico to Mexico City.
External links
- Encyclopedia Britannica entry
- Lyn Sherwood, Reflections on the Last ‘Golden Age’ And a Lament For The Current “Bronze Age”", La Prensa San Diego, Apr. 30, 2004
- Carlos Arruza at ToroPedia.com, the English language online encyclopedia of bullfighting.