Miguel Angel Suarez
Encyclopedia
Miguel Ángel Suárez was a Puerto Rican
soap opera
and movie actor.
family and raised in the Santurce
section of San Juan, Puerto Rico
. His father worked at a local supermarket and his mother was a housewife. When Suárez was a child, he went with his mother to see a play. This was his first experience with the theater and Suárez was so impressed that after the curtains rose and the actors did their show, he knew that he wanted to become an actor. Suárez went to school and received his primary and secondary education in his hometown. When Suárez and his sister returned from school, their mother would read stories or prepare little plays which helped to develop their imagination.
The supermarket where the elder Suárez worked was located next to the radio station "Radio El Mundo". Manuel Méndez Ballester
, a well known playwright, who worked as a writer for the radio station, would frequently visit the supermarket and Suárez's father soon became friends with Ballester. In 1947, Ballester told the elder Suárez that he was in need of an 8-year-old for the protagonist role in a play that he wrote, because the person he had in mind didn't pass the audition. When the elder Suárez realized that the "part" paid more than what he was making working in the supermarket, he took his son to the audition and that was the beginning of Suárez's acting career. In 1956, when Suárez was 17 years old, he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the submarine
division. He traveled the world and learned about different customs and cultures.
where he was given a role in the soap opera Amor Gitano (Gypsy Love). He later went to Venezuela
where he became a renowned actor after participating in the soap opera's Corazon de Diamante (Heart of Diamonds) and Laura Benson. In Puerto Rico he participated in many locally produced soap operas, among which was Vivir Para Ti (I live for You). In 1994 he was cast in Señora Tentacion (Mrs. Temptation) with Mexican
movie star Lucía Méndez
. This soap opera was a hit in the Caribbean, Central and South America and in Europe.
movie Bananas
with Jacobo Morales
. He then went to Hollywood and in 1981 landed a role in the movie Stir Crazy
, directed by Sidney Poitier
starring Richard Pryor
and Gene Wilder
. He was sometimes credited under the names Miguelángel Suárez and Miguel Suárez http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0840822/.
Other movies in which Suárez participated are: La Gran Fiesta (1985); Isabel la Negra (1990) with Míriam Colón and Raúl Juliá
; Havana (1990) produced by Sidney Pollack and Under Suspicion
(2000) with Gene Hackman
, Morgan Freeman
, and Nydia Caro
. In 2007, Suárez performed one of the main roles in Jacobo Morales' new film, Ángel
.
, he was 69 years old. He is survived by his widow, the actress Amneris Morales, his daughter Alondra Suárez and his stepdaughter Belange Rodríguez. Suárez's remains were cremated on April 5 in accordance to his wishes. On 4 April 2010, his cremated remains where interred in a family plot located in Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
in Old San Juan
.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
and movie actor.
Early years
Suárez and his sister were born into a middle classMiddle class
The middle class is any class of people in the middle of a societal hierarchy. In Weberian socio-economic terms, the middle class is the broad group of people in contemporary society who fall socio-economically between the working class and upper class....
family and raised in the Santurce
Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Santurce is a district of San Juan, Puerto Rico.-Summary:Santurce is one of the top ten most populated areas of the island holding Miramar, Loíza, Isla Grande, Barrio Obrero, and Condado as main cultural hot spots for art, music, cuisine, fashion, hotels, technology, multimedia, film, textile and...
section of San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. His father worked at a local supermarket and his mother was a housewife. When Suárez was a child, he went with his mother to see a play. This was his first experience with the theater and Suárez was so impressed that after the curtains rose and the actors did their show, he knew that he wanted to become an actor. Suárez went to school and received his primary and secondary education in his hometown. When Suárez and his sister returned from school, their mother would read stories or prepare little plays which helped to develop their imagination.
The supermarket where the elder Suárez worked was located next to the radio station "Radio El Mundo". Manuel Méndez Ballester
Manuel Méndez Ballester
Manuel Méndez Ballester , born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was a well-known writer who worked in journalism, radio broadcasting, television and teaching.- Life and career :...
, a well known playwright, who worked as a writer for the radio station, would frequently visit the supermarket and Suárez's father soon became friends with Ballester. In 1947, Ballester told the elder Suárez that he was in need of an 8-year-old for the protagonist role in a play that he wrote, because the person he had in mind didn't pass the audition. When the elder Suárez realized that the "part" paid more than what he was making working in the supermarket, he took his son to the audition and that was the beginning of Suárez's acting career. In 1956, when Suárez was 17 years old, he enlisted in the Navy and was assigned to the submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
division. He traveled the world and learned about different customs and cultures.
Television
When Suárez was discharged from the Navy, he returned to Puerto Rico, but found that the artistic class in the island was going through a crisis. Since he was unable to get an acting job, Suarez decided to try his luck elsewhere. He went to ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
where he was given a role in the soap opera Amor Gitano (Gypsy Love). He later went to Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
where he became a renowned actor after participating in the soap opera's Corazon de Diamante (Heart of Diamonds) and Laura Benson. In Puerto Rico he participated in many locally produced soap operas, among which was Vivir Para Ti (I live for You). In 1994 he was cast in Señora Tentacion (Mrs. Temptation) with Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
movie star Lucía Méndez
Lucía Méndez
Lucía Leticia Méndez Pérez is a Mexican telenovela and film actress, top model and singer that has sold over 10 million records world wide.- Early success :...
. This soap opera was a hit in the Caribbean, Central and South America and in Europe.
Film
In 1971, Suárez was cast in the locally produced Woody AllenWoody Allen
Woody Allen is an American screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, jazz musician, author, and playwright. Allen's films draw heavily on literature, sexuality, philosophy, psychology, Jewish identity, and the history of cinema...
movie Bananas
Bananas (film)
Bananas is a 1971 comedy film written by Mickey Rose and Woody Allen, directed by Allen, and starring himself and Louise Lasser. Parts of the plot were based on the book Don Quixote, U.S.A. by Richard P. Powell. It was filmed on location in New York City, Lima , and various locations in Puerto...
with Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales is an auteur, whom many consider to be the most influential film director in Puerto Rico's history.-Life and career:...
. He then went to Hollywood and in 1981 landed a role in the movie Stir Crazy
Stir Crazy (film)
Stir Crazy is a 1980 American comedy film starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor as down-on-their-luck friends who are given 125-year prison sentences after being framed for a bank robbery; while in prison they befriend other inmates and ultimately escape. In 2000, Total Film magazine voted it the...
, directed by Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
starring Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
and Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder is an American stage and screen actor, director, screenwriter, and author.Wilder began his career on stage, making his screen debut in the film Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. His first major role was as Leopold Bloom in the 1968 film The Producers...
. He was sometimes credited under the names Miguelángel Suárez and Miguel Suárez http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0840822/.
Other movies in which Suárez participated are: La Gran Fiesta (1985); Isabel la Negra (1990) with Míriam Colón and Raúl Juliá
Raúl Juliá
Raúl Rafael Juliá y Arcelay was a Puerto Rican actor.Born in San Juan, he gained interest in acting while still in school. Upon completing his studies, Juliá decided to pursue a career in acting. After performing in the local scene for some time, he was convinced by entertainment personality Orson...
; Havana (1990) produced by Sidney Pollack and Under Suspicion
Under Suspicion (2000 film)
Under Suspicion is a 2000 American film directed by Stephen Hopkins. It stars Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Monica Bellucci and Thomas Jane. The film is based on the 1981 French film Garde à vue and the 1970s British novel Brainwash, written by John Wainwright...
(2000) with Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen "Gene" Hackman is an American actor and novelist.Nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two, Hackman has also won three Golden Globes and two BAFTAs in a career that spanned five decades. He first came to fame in 1967 with his performance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde...
, Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is an American actor, film director, aviator and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice. Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won...
, and Nydia Caro
Nydia Caro
Nydia Caro is an American & Puerto Rican actress and singer. Born in New York City to parents from Rincón, Puerto Rico, she initiated her career in the arts at a very young age while living in New York...
. In 2007, Suárez performed one of the main roles in Jacobo Morales' new film, Ángel
Angel (2007 Puerto Rican film)
Ángel is a 2007 Puerto Rican film written and directed by Jacobo Morales. Morales also performs one of the lead roles in the film. The film was released on August 16, 2007 in Puerto Rico. It was produced by Cinesí Productions.-Plot:...
.
Death
Suárez died on April 1, 2009 losing his battle with esophageal cancerEsophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus...
, he was 69 years old. He is survived by his widow, the actress Amneris Morales, his daughter Alondra Suárez and his stepdaughter Belange Rodríguez. Suárez's remains were cremated on April 5 in accordance to his wishes. On 4 April 2010, his cremated remains where interred in a family plot located in Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a colonial-era cemetery located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is the final resting place of many of Puerto Rico's most prominent natives and residents. Construction began in 1863 under the auspices of Ignacio Mascaro. The cemetery is located outside...
in Old San Juan
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Old San Juan is the oldest settlement within Puerto Rico and it is the historic colonial section of San Juan, Puerto Rico.-Location:...
.
Filmography
Among the films in which he participated are::- Che: Part One (2008)
- Abuelo, El (2008/II)
- Angel (2007)
- Illegal Tender (2007)
- Cuerpo del delito, El (2005) (TV)
- Revolución en el infierno (2004) (TV)
- Dios los cría 2 (2004)
- Más allá del límite (2002)
- Cuento inolvidable de la abuela, El (2002) TV
- Padre Astro (2001) (TV)
- Tosca, la verdadera historia (2001)
- Under Suspicion (2000)
- Cundeamor (2000) (TV)
- Jara (2000)
- Punto final: De como Tito Mangual aprendio a bregar (1999) (TV)
- Paradise Lost (1999/I)
- The Survivor (1998)
- Señora Tentacion (1995) (TV)
- Al son del amor" (1995) (TV)
- Los Ladrones van a la oficina (1 episode, 1993)
- El Rescate del talismán (1991) (TV)
- Havana (1990/I)
- Ni se te ocurra (1990)
- "Misión cumplida" (1990) (TV)
- Isabel la Negra (1990)
- Gran fiesta, La (1985)
- Prohibido amar en Nueva York (1984)
- Entre el amor y el poder (1984) (TV)
- Amor gitano (1983) (TV)
- Vivir para tí (1982) (TV)
- Yo Se que Mentia (1982) (TV)
- Stir Crazy (1980)
- Escape (1980) (TV)
- Dios los cría...And God Created Them...And God Created Them is a 1979 Puerto Rican comedy film directed by Jacobo Morales. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival.- Synopsis :The film actually consists of five vignettes:...
(1979) - El Hijo de Angela Maria (1974)
- Bananas (1971)
Novelas (Soap operas)
- Amor Gitano (in Argentina).
- Corazón De Diamante and Laura Benson (in Venezuela).
- Yo Se que MentiaYo Se que MentiaYo se que mentia was the theme song from WAPA-TV's 1982 soap opera "Yo se que Mentia". It is sung by Iris chacon, star of this soap opera....
, Vivir Para Ti and Señora Tentación (in Puerto Rico)