NERDBOT
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Nerd Culture
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»Nerd Culture»Puerto Rican Actor Raúl Juliá Celebrated in a New Documentary
    Nerd Culture

    Puerto Rican Actor Raúl Juliá Celebrated in a New Documentary

    Kaylah VargasBy Kaylah VargasOctober 3, 2019Updated:January 7, 20234 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Raúl Juliá’s is best known for his role as Gomez Addams in the film adaptations of The Addams Family. However he had a wide array of performances that got recognition. Juliá received an Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG awards, along with four Tony nominations for “Best Actor.”  

    A new PBS documentary titled- Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage, focuses on the career and life of the beloved late Puerto Rican actor.

    The documentary boasts that Juliá wasn’t just a pioneering Latinx actor, but one of the greatest of his time. The actor’s life was cut short in 1994 when he died of a stroke at the young age of 54. Juliá’s work ranges from Shakespeare to video games. His particular talent was being able to capture the duality of comedy and drama. 

    The documentary interviews the many Latinx actors he knew and influenced. Including Rita Moreno, Benicio del Toro, Andy García, Edward James Olmos, Esai Morales, Jimmy Smits, Ruben Blades, and John Leguizamo, along with friends and family. An impressive array of folk from all over the entertainment industry as well as his personal life.

    The documentary "Raúl Juliá: The World's a Stage," airing on PBS on Sept. 13, reprises the life and career of the award-winning Puerto Rican actor, who died at 54. https://t.co/9HzyNUZSal

    — NBC Latino (@NBCLatino) September 12, 2019

    The talented actor was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 9, 1940. Juliá was raised bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish.
    While at Colegio Espíritu Santo, in first grade, he played the devil in the Catholic school’s play. This triggered his interest in theater. However, it was only after watching Errol Flynn perform in The Adventures of Robin Hood, that Juliá was inspired to pursue acting. By seventh grade, Juliá could speak fluent English and began his interest in Shakespeare. After college, he found that becoming a lawyer no longer suited him. Instead, decided that acting was his passion.

    It was when Julia sang at a nightclub in Puerto Rico, that he was discovered by Broadway actor Orson Bean. Who was absolutely taken by his performance. Bean convinced him to come to New York City where he made ends meet acting in the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater. 

    This #HispanicHeritageMonth, we must remember the contributions of Hispanics to our country. Raúl Juliá, a Puerto Rican actor, dedicated his life to creative expression, performance, and the arts. Learn more about his incredible accomplishments ⬇️
    pic.twitter.com/xz8cTgbOA9

    — Congressional Hispanic Caucus (@HispanicCaucus) September 12, 2019

    During a time when Latinxs were overlooked even for Latinx roles, Juliá never hid his Puerto Rican accent. He loved who he was and who he represented.
    ”He loved his Puerto Rican roots ferociously,” his dear friend and actor Edward James Olmos said, and the islanders adored him “beyond the wildest understanding.”

    Joseph Papp, the founder of the New York Shakespeare Festival (NYSF), saw Juliá reading patriotic Puerto Rican poetry in a performance in ’67. The impressed Papp offered Juliá the role of Demetrius in Titus Andronicus, where Juliá’s accent was fully embraced.
    When Papp died, Juliá credited him for helping obtain roles beyond the “Latin lover” stereotype. The prestige allowed Juliá to snag his first role in a Broadway play, The Cuban Thing. 

    Watch Raúl Juliá go toe-to-toe with Meryl Streep in the 1978 Shakespeare in the Park production of "The Taming of the Shrew." #AmericanMastersPBS #RaulJuliaPBS #ShakespeareInThePark pic.twitter.com/rFqhBU9iNA

    — American Masters (@PBSAmerMasters) September 10, 2019
    Juliá performed alongside Meryl Streep in Shakespeare in the Park’s rendition of Taming of the Shrew, accent and all.

    The actor’s award-winning theater career allowed him to break into Hollywood. In 1991, he nabbed his most celebrated role as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family film. Juliá loved the irreverent character and became a recognizable face in Hollywood.

    Image result for the addams family gomez raul julia

    The actor was a huge humanitarian (who worked with the Hunger Project to end world hunger) and loved to tell stories that mattered.

    Among his famous roles, he was particularly honored to play the leading role of Archbishop Óscar Romero in a biopic. The El Salvadoran Archbishop was assassinated during a mass for being an outspoken advocate for human rights in Central America. A perfect role for a fellow humanitarian.

    He won a Golden Globe for his role as a Brazilian political prisoner in Manuel Puig’s Kiss of the Spider Woman. Later he portrayed Chico Mendes in HBO’s The Burning Season.

    Juliá was known to not be in the best of health but all there were were rumors. It was rumored that he suffered from stomach cancer, and his poor health became apparent in his gaunt appearance. In 1994, he suffered two strokes, the latter causing his death. 

    “I put him in the hearse with my arm draped across the casket,” said Olmos. “I looked out the window and there were tens of thousands of people — even in balconies — people applauding him all the way through to the end.”

    Raúl Juliá: The World’s a Stage brings to light the experiences of a fantastic and brilliant actor to American audiences.

    Author

    Kaylah Vargas
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleGame of Thrones Returns in Comic Book Form
    Next Article A TV Adaptation of the ‘House of Night’ Vampire Book Series is Coming
    Kaylah Vargas

    I've been critically reviewing fandoms and geek culture for eight years. After spending four years of college focusing on literary analysis, I now apply that passion to my hobbies and love for the geekdom.

    Related Posts

    Edited (and Non) Versions of Roald Dahl Classics Will be Available

    February 26, 2023

    Florida Man Calls Wrong Police Trying to Threaten Hollywood Sign

    February 26, 2023

    Mysterious ‘Iron Balloon’ Washes Up on Japanese Beach

    February 26, 2023

    Comic Strip “Dilbert” Cancelled, Creator Scott Adams Still Very Racist

    February 26, 2023

    Dr. Suess’ “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” Getting a Sequel??

    February 25, 2023

    Florence Welch Adapting “The Great Gatsby” as a Musical

    February 24, 2023
    • Trending
    • Latest
    • Movies
    • TV

    Christian Activist Suing The NFL For $867 Trillion Over Half-Time Show

    February 5, 2020

    Marvel Eyeing GOT Star Nathalie Emmanuel To Play The MCU’s Storm

    June 27, 2019

    Rumor: Charlie Hunnam In Talks For New Wolverine Movie

    May 20, 2019

    Scientists Are Actually Trying to Open a Portal to a Mirror Universe(Yes Really)

    December 28, 2019

    What to Look for in a Crypto Poker Room

    February 27, 2023
    CSGORoll Homepage with CSGORoll affiliate code

    Is CSGORoll.Com Safe and Legit? – Full Review

    February 27, 2023

    Is Online Casino Bonus No Deposit Available to All Players?

    February 27, 2023

    Spring Break FIJI – Combining Wallet Power

    February 27, 2023
    "Attack of the Meth Gator" Poster

    The Asylum Confirms “Attack of the Meth Gator” Film Coming

    February 27, 2023
    “The Pope's Exorcist”

    Russell Crowe Plays Real Life Priest in “The Pope’s Exorcist”

    February 26, 2023

    Ryan Reynolds Developing “Boy Band” Comedy for Paramount

    February 25, 2023

    “Smoking Causes Coughing” Looks Ridiculous and Awesome

    February 25, 2023

    Eric Stonestreet to Play Mad Santa in “The Santa Clauses” S2

    February 27, 2023

    Woes and More for AFC Richmond in “Ted Lasso” Season 3 Trailer

    February 27, 2023

    “The Goldbergs” Cast Reacts Show Ending After 10 Seasons

    February 27, 2023

    Stop-Motion Pokémon Project Announced by Netflix

    February 27, 2023
    Related Posts

    None found

    San Diego Comic-Con
      • auction
      • carnivorous plant
      • dinosaur
      • pennyworth
      • San Diego Comic-Con
    NERDBOT
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    © 2023 NERDBOT Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.