The Argentine actor Héctor Alterio died this Saturday morning at the age of 96. The news was confirmed via the Spanish theater producer’s Instagram account Jesus Cimarrowho worked with the actor in his recent shows.
“I am sorry to announce this morning the death of our great actor Héctor Alterio“Wrote Cimarro. In the same message he added: “A great person from the Spanish and Argentine scene is leaving us. My condolences go out to the lovely family Tita, Malena, Ernesto. Have a good trip, dear Hector. We will miss you very, very much.”
The death of Alterio, protagonist of films such as “The official story“(Winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Film 1986)”Rebel Patagonia“,”The ceasefire“,”Wild horses” And “The bride’s son“, created an immediate impact in the media in Spain, Argentina and South America, where His character is considered one of the most influential in cinema, theater and television. in the Spanish language for more than seven decades.
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Based in Madrid since the mid-seventies, Alterio developed an artistic career that traversed complex political contextsa forced exile and an international consolidation that made it a cultural reference on both sides of the Atlantic.
From Buenos Aires to the center of the scene: the early years and theater training
Héctor Benjamin Alterio Onorato He was born on September 21, 1929 in the Chacarita district of the city of Buenos Aires. son of Italian immigrants, He trained as an actor at a time when independent theater was gaining importance. compared to conventional circuits.
In the 1950s he began intensive theater activity, which led him to join experimental groups already join in a process of aesthetic renewal of Argentine theater. In this context he was one of the founders of the group “New Theater”a central space for the dissemination of new dramaturgies and production forms.
His theater work was not limited to acting: Alterio also participated in directing and producing duties.which gave him a comprehensive view of artistic events. This training would have a decisive influence on his later appearances in film and television.
At the same time he started building an interpretive profile associated with complex characters and with a strong psychological densitya trait that would remain constant throughout his career.
Already in the 1960s, Alterio was considered one of the most solid actors in Argentine theater.with a constant presence in independent and official venues and with recognition from both critics and audiences.
Argentine cinema before exile: recognition and artistic engagement
Héctor Alterio made his film debut in 1965 with “All sun is bitter“led by Alfredo Mathe. From then on, his career in Argentine cinema developed steadily and steadily a remarkable variety of records.
In the following years he appeared in key national cinema titles such as ““Rebellious Patagonia”““The Saint of the Sword”““The Mafia”““Don Segundo Sombra”““The Seven Fools” And ““Argentinian until death”among other things. Several of these productions addressed historical, social and political themes in keeping with the cultural climate of the time..
“Rebellious Patagonia”Directed by Héctor Olivera, the film became one of the highlights of his filmography before exile. The film received international awards and was associated with a period of strong politicization of Argentine cinema.
During these years, Alterio combined his film work with intensive theater work consolidated the profile of an actor who feels committed to the content of the works in which he took part.
This commitment, in addition to its public visibility, put him on the radar of right-wing extremist parapolice groups who operated in Argentina in the mid-seventies.
Threats from Triple A and forced exile in 1975
When Héctor Alterio was on tour in Spain in 1975, received death threats from the Argentine Anti-Communist Alliance (Triple A)the parapolice organization that initially persecuted artists, intellectuals and activists associated with left-wing positions or criticism of the government of Juan Domingo Perón and later Isabel Martínez de Perón.
According to biographical notes and statements from the actor himself, The threats were related to his participation in films and plays that were considered “subversive.” from the sectors that made up the Triple A, especially those with political or social content.
Faced with this scenario, Alterio made the decision not to return to Argentina. Exile, initially presented as a temporary protective measure, became a permanent settlement in Spain.
The forced departure from the country marked a personal and professional breakbut he also opened a new stage in his career, this time at European level.
In these years Alterio joins the extensive list of Argentine artists who have had to leave the country as a result of the political violence before the last civil-military dictatorship.
Consolidation in Spain and international projection
Already installed in Madrid, Héctor Alterio He quickly managed to integrate into the Spanish theater and film scene.. His previous career and his prestige as an actor made it easier for him to be involved in high-profile productions.
In 1977 he played the lead role in “To an unknown god”led by Jaime Chavarrian achievement that earned him the prize Best Actor at the San Sebastián Film Festival. This recognition marked its final consolidation in Europe.
In the following decades he appeared in numerous Spanish films and international co-productions, including “The Cuenca Crime““The nest““Raise crows” And “The atmosphere of a crime“.
His work also extended to televisionwhere he took part in serial and unit projects that strengthened his presence in front of the mass public.
Parallel to that maintained an intensive theater activity in Spainwith works that toured theaters across the country and kept him on stage well into old age.
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