Santiago Segura Silva (born 17 July 1965) is a Spanish filmmaker and actor. He also worked to a lesser extent as a television presenter, voice actor and comic book writer, as well as being a collector of original comic books. At 12, he began making films with a Super-8 camera, and, after a recommendation from

Fernando Trueba Fernando Rodríguez Trueba (born 18 January 1955), known as Fernando Trueba, is a Spanish book editor, screenwriter, film director and producer. Between 1974 and 1979, he worked as a film critic for Spain's leading daily newspaper ''El País''. ...

, began to make films in 35 mm, funded by his appearances in TV game shows. He earned early recognition for his performance as a metalhead in 1995 film '' The Day of the Beast'' (billed as a "satanic comedy"), which won him the

Goya Award for Best New Actor The Goya Award for Best New Actor ( es, Premio Goya al mejor actor revelación, links=no) is one of the Goya Awards, Spain's principal national film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (s ...

. Great success would come with his directorial feature debut, 1998 dark action comedy and box-office hit ''

Torrente, the Dumb Arm of the Law ''Torrente, the Dumb Arm of the Law'' ( es, Torrente, el brazo tonto de la ley, links=no) is a 1998 Spanish dark comedy film written and directed by Santiago Segura, who stars as José Luis Torrente, a racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, and ...

'', in which he stars as

José Luis Torrente José Luis Torrente is a fictional character created by Spanish actor and director Santiago Segura and the main character in the ''Torrente'' scatological and dark comedy-action film series. The series so far includes five films; '' Torrente: El ...

, a racist, homophobic, xenophobic, and fascist former police cop. The film, that won Segura the

Goya Award for Best New Director The Goya Award for Best New Director ( es, Premio Goya a la Mejor Dirección Novel, links=no) is the Goya awarded yearly to the best debuting director. The award was first presented at the fourth edition of the Goya Awards with Ana Díez being th ...

, was followed by four sequels ('' Torrente 2: Mission in Marbella'', '' Torrente 3: El protector'', '' Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis'' and '' Torrente 5: Operación Eurovegas'') that made the highest-grossing Spanish film series. He then went on to direct films with a lighter tone, likewise churning domestic box-office hits with children comedies such as '' Father There Is Only One'' (and its two sequels) and '' The Kids Are Alright''.

Life and career

Santiago Segura Silva was born in

Madrid Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), and ...

on 17 July 1965. He was raised in the city's district of

Carabanchel Carabanchel is a district of Madrid, Spain. It lies on the southern (right) bank of the Manzanares, spanning southward down to the M-40 ring road. The district is made up of the neighbourhoods of Abrantes, Comillas, Opañel, Puerta Bonita, San ...

. After studying Arts at the

Complutense University of Madrid The Complutense University of Madrid ( es, Universidad Complutense de Madrid; UCM, links=no, ''Universidad de Madrid'', ''Universidad Central de Madrid''; la, Universitas Complutensis Matritensis, links=no) is a public research university loc ...

, he decided to pursue a career as a filmmaker and in 1989 he directed the short ''Relatos de medianoche'' with a budget of 7000 pesetas (around US$50). In 1992 he went on to direct his first professional short ''Evilio'', followed with ''Perturbado'' in 1993. Segura is a recurring actor in the works of directors Alex de la Iglesia and

Guillermo del Toro Guillermo del Toro Gómez (; born October 9, 1964) is a Mexican filmmaker, author, and actor. He directed the Academy Award–winning fantasy films ''Pan's Labyrinth'' (2006) and '' The Shape of Water'' (2017), winning the Academy Awards for ...

. In 1993, he had a small role in Alex de la Iglesia's film ''

Acción mutante ''Acción mutante'' is a 1993 science fiction black comedy film co-written and directed by Álex de la Iglesia. Plot A future post-apocalyptic world is ruled by the good-looking people. A terrorist group of disabled people, who see themselves as ...

''. Two years later, he starred in ''

El día de la Bestia ''The Day of the Beast'' ( es, El día de la bestia, links=no) is a 1995 Spanish-Italian black comedy film with horror elements co-written and directed by Álex de la Iglesia and starring Álex Angulo, Armando De Razza and Santiago Segura. The p ...

'', from the same director and that role made him famous in Spain. In 1998 he directed the film that brought him to stardom, ''Torrente: El brazo tonto de la ley'' (

1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently s ...

), in which he also acted as the lead character

, a sleazy crime-fighter. Its popularity led to a sequel ('' Torrente 2: Misión en Marbella'') and a

computer game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This feedback ...

(''Torrente: El juego''). ''Torrente 2: Misión en Marbella'' made €22,838,500 at the Spanish

box office A box office or ticket office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through a hole in a wall or window, or at a wicket. By extension, the term is fre ...

, becoming the highest grossing Spanish film of all time. '' Torrente 3: El protector'', the third film in the series, was released in September 2005. Its advertising campaign parodied ''

Batman Begins ''Batman Begins'' is a 2005 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan and written by Nolan and David S. Goyer. The film is based on the DC Comics character Batman, it stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne / Batman, with Michael Caine, ...

'', using the phrase "Torrente Acabado" ("Torrente Finished"). Although he declared ''Torrente 3: El protector'' would be the last of the Torrente series, '' Torrente 4'' was released in 2011. In 2010, he played the title role in ''

El gran Vázquez ''The Great Vazquez'' ( es, El gran Vázquez, links=no) is a 2010 Spanish biographical comedy-drama film directed and written by Óscar Aibar which stars Santiago Segura as the title character alongside Álex Angulo, Mercè Llorens and Enrique Vi ...

'', based on the life of the legendary cartoonist/wastrel

Manuel Vázquez Gallego Manuel Vázquez Gallego (1930 in Madrid – 1995 in Barcelona), was a Spanish cartoonist. He was one of the most important artists of Editorial Bruguera. His family were friends with comedians Wenceslao Fernández Flórez and Enrique Jardiel ...

. In 2014 he released '' Torrente 5: Operación Eurovegas'' with

Alec Baldwin Alexander Rae Baldwin III (born April 3, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, and producer. In his early career, Baldwin played both leading and supporting roles in a variety of films such as Tim Burton's '' Beetlejuice'' (1988), Mike Nic ...

as guest star, and was the top release of 2014 in Spain. He has since made his way into American culture by making appearances in movies such as ''

Pacific Rim The Pacific Rim comprises the lands around the rim of the Pacific Ocean. The '' Pacific Basin'' includes the Pacific Rim and the islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Rim roughly overlaps with the geologic Pacific Ring of Fire. List of ...

'', ''

Hellboy Hellboy is a fictional superhero created by writer-artist Mike Mignola. The character first appeared in ''San Diego Comic-Con Comics'' #2 (August 1993), and has since appeared in various eponymous miniseries, one-shots and intercompany crossover ...

'', '' Hellboy II: The Golden Army'' and ''

Blade II ''Blade II'' is a 2002 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Blade, directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by David S. Goyer. A sequel to '' Blade'' (1998), it is the second installment in the ''Blade'' franchise, f ...

'' (all of them by Del Toro), ''

Perdita Durango ''Perdita Durango'', released as ''Dance with the Devil'' in the United States, is a 1997 action- crime- horror film directed by Álex de la Iglesia, based on Barry Gifford's 1992 novel ''59° and Raining: The Story of Perdita Durango''. It stars ...

'' (by De la Iglesia),

Jack and Jill "Jack and Jill" (sometimes "Jack and Gill", particularly in earlier versions) is a traditional English nursery rhyme. The Roud Folk Song Index classifies the commonest tune and its variations as number 10266, although it has been set to severa ...

and '' Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London''. He has also dubbed video games to Spanish, like

Jack Black Thomas Jacob Black (born August 28, 1969) is an American actor, comedian, and musician. He is known for his acting roles in the films '' High Fidelity'' (2000), '' Shallow Hal'' (2001), '' Orange County'' (2002), '' School of Rock'' (2003), ' ...

's role in ''

Brütal Legend ''Brütal Legend'' is an action-adventure video game with real-time strategy game elements created by Double Fine and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was released during October 2009 in North America, ...

''. Because of his success, Santiago Segura has become a producer. He owns Amiguetes Entertainment company, he is associated with the theater in Estación del Norte in Madrid, and has produced ''Promedio rojo'' (2004) (featuring Nicolás López) and ''Aquí mando yo... y punto com''. In 2018 he appeared in the third season of '' MasterChef Celebrity''. He was the 10th contestant to be eliminated.

Filmography

As filmmaker

Film

Producer only

Short film

As an actor

* ''Relatos de medianoche'' (1989, Short) * ''Eduardo'' (1990, Short) * ''Evilio'' (1992, Short) * ''El cobrador del gas sólo llama una vez'' (1992, Short) * ''

'' (1993) .... Ezequiel * '' Everyone Off to Jail'' (1993) .... Ecologista * ''Perturbado'' (1993, Short) * ''

Todo es mentira ''Todo es mentira'' (''Everything's a Lie'') is a 1994 Spanish comedy film written and directed by Álvaro Fernández Armero and starring Penélope Cruz, Coque Malla and Jordi Mollà Jordi Mollà i Perales (; born 1 July 1968) is a Spanish ...

'' (1994) .... Vendedor * ''Evilio vuelve'' (1994, Short) .... Evilio * ''Cuernos de mujer'' (1995) .... Ciego * ''

'' (1995) .... José María * ''

Two Much ''Two Much'' is a 1995 romantic screwball comedy film based on Donald Westlake's novel of the same name, and is also a remake of the 1984 French comedy film '' Le Jumeau'', which was also based on Westlake's novel. Directed by Fernando Trueba, ' ...

'' (1996) .... Paparazzi * ''Matías, juez de línea'' (1996) .... Antidisturbios 1 * ''

Killer Barbys A killer is someone or something that kills, such as a murderer or a serial killer. Killer may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters * Killer (''Home and Away''), a character from ''Home and Away'' * Killer Kan ...

'' (1996) .... Baltasar * ''Tengo una casa'' (1996) .... Guardia 1 * ''La buena vida'' (1996) * ''Sólo se muere dos veces'' (1997) .... Amilibia * ''

Airbag An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system using a bag designed to inflate extremely quickly, then quickly deflate during a collision. It consists of the airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation module, and an impact sensor. T ...

'' (1997) .... Candidato Paiño * ''

'' (1997) .... Shorty Dee * '' Torrente: El brazo tonto de la ley'' (1998, actor, writer and director) .... Torrente * '' La niña de tus ojos'' (1998) .... Castillo * '' Muertos de risa'' (1999) .... Nino * '' París-Tombuctú'' (1999) .... El Cura * ''Pídele cuentas al rey'' (1999) .... Vagabundo * ''La mujer más fea del mundo'' (1999) .... El presidente de la República (uncredited) * '' El corazón del guerrero'' (1999) .... Netheril / Carlos José * ''Sabotage!'' (2000) .... Cyrille Léotard * '' Obra maestra'' (2000) .... Benito Cañaveras * '' Torrente 2: Misión en Marbella'' (2001, actor, writer, director and producer) .... Torrente * '' Girl from Rio'' (2001) .... Paulo * ''Manolito Gafotas en ¡Mola ser jefe!'' (2001) .... Himself (uncredited) * ''

'' (2002) .... Rush * '' Asesino en serio'' (2002, co-producer) .... Padre Gorkisolo * ''Zero/infinito'' (2002) .... (voice) * '' El oro de Moscú'' (2003) .... Íñigo Fuentes * ''

Beyond Re-Animator ''Beyond Re-Animator'' is a 2003 horror film directed by Brian Yuzna and starring Jeffrey Combs, Jason Barry, Elsa Pataky, Simón Andreu and Santiago Segura. It is the third and final installment in the ''Re-Animator'' film series. An intern ...

'' (2003) .... Speedball * ''

Tiptoes ''Tiptoes'' is a 2003 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Matthew Bright, in what is, as of 2022, his last film. The film stars Gary Oldman, Kate Beckinsale, Patricia Arquette and Matthew McConaughey. The film's plot revolves aro ...

'' (2003) .... Motel Manager * '' Una de zombis'' (2003, actor and producer) .... Padre Pelayo / Entrecot / Himself * ''Noin'' (2003) .... Himself * '' Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London'' (2004) .... Santiago * ''

'' (2004) .... Train Driver * '' Isi Disi'' (2004) .... Isi * '' Promedio rojo'' (2004, producer) .... Doctor * '' Di que sí'' (2004) .... Oscar Vázquez * '' El asombroso mundo de Borjamari y Pocholo'' (2004, actor and producer) .... Borjamari * '' Torrente 3: El protector'' (2005, actor, writer, director and producer) .... Torrente * ''Bienvenido a casa'' (2006) * ''La máquina de bailar'' (2006) .... Johnny * '' Isi & Disi, alto voltaje'' (2006) .... Isi * ''Ekipo Ja'' (2007) .... Santiago Segura * '' Asterix at the Olympic Games'' (2008) .... Docteurmabus * '' Hellboy II: The Golden Army'' (2008) .... Distinguished Buyer * '' Manolete'' (2008) .... Guillermo * '' King Shot'' (2009) * ''Tensión sexual no resuelta'' (2010) .... Hacker (uncredited) * ''

The Last Circus ''The Last Circus'' ( es, Balada triste de trompeta, links=no; ) is a 2010 Spanish-French dark comedy- drama film written and directed by Álex de la Iglesia, which stars Carlos Areces, Antonio de la Torre and Carolina Bang. It premiered at the 2 ...

'' (2010) .... Padre-Payaso tonto * ''

'' (2010) .... Vázquez * '' Torrente 4: Lethal Crisis'' (2011) .... Torrente * ''Koma'' (2011) .... Vendedor * ''

'' (2011) .... Eduardo (uncredited) * ''

As Luck Would Have It ''As Luck Would Have It'' ( es, La chispa de la vida, links=no) is a 2011 Spanish drama film directed by Álex de la Iglesia. It stars José Sánchez Mota and Salma Hayek. Mota plays an unemployed advertising executive who has a potentially life ...

'' (2011) .... David Solar * '' Pa' Habbo'' (2011) * '' El Chef'' (2012) .... Juan * ''

'' (2013) .... Wizened Man * ''Gente en sitios'' (2013) * ''

Witching & Bitching ''Witching & Bitching'' ( es, Las brujas de Zugarramurdi, links=no; ) is a 2013 Spanish comedy horror film co-written and directed by Álex de la Iglesia. It stars Hugo Silva, Mario Casas, and Carmen Maura. It won the most awards at the 28th Go ...

'' (2013) .... Miren * '' Torrente V: Operación Eurovegas'' (2014) .... Torrente * ''Pos eso'' (2014) .... Damián / Obispo / Satán (voice) * '' Rey Gitano'' (2015) .... Conde de Segura * ''

The Strain ''The Strain'' is a 2009 vampire horror novel by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. It is the first installment in ''The Strain Trilogy'', and was followed by '' The Fall'' (2010) and ''The Night Eternal'' (2011). Plot synopsis A Boeing 777 ...

'' (2015, TV Series) .... Evil Boxing Coach * ''

My Big Night ''My Big Night'' ( es, Mi gran noche, links=no) is a 2015 Spanish comedy film directed by Álex de la Iglesia, who also co-wrote it with Jorge Guerricaechevarría. Plot José has been sent by the employment agency as an extra for the taping of ...

'' (2015) .... Benítez * '' Wild Oats'' (2016) .... Carlos * ''

The Queen of Spain ''The Queen of Spain'' ( es, La reina de España, links=no) is a 2016 Spanish comedy-drama film written and directed by Fernando Trueba. Starring Penélope Cruz, Antonio Resines, Neus Asensi, Ana Belén, Javier Cámara, Chino Darín, Loles León ...

'' (2016) .... Castillo * '' Herederos de la bestia'' (2016) * ''Casi leyendas'' (2017) .... Axel * '' You Only Live Once'' (2017) .... Tobías López * ''Los resucitados'' (2017) .... Don Lorenzo, Conde de Evilio * '' Sin rodeos'' (2018) * '' Padre no hay más que uno'' (2019) .... Javier

Accolades

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Segura, Santiago 1965 births Male actors from Madrid Complutense University of Madrid alumni Living people Spanish male film actors Spanish male comedians Spanish stand-up comedians Spanish film directors 20th-century Spanish male actors 21st-century Spanish male actors 20th-century Spanish screenwriters 20th-century Spanish male writers 21st-century Spanish screenwriters