Angélica Aragón
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Angélica Espinoza Stransky (born 11 July 1953), known as Angélica Aragón (), is a Mexican film, television and stage actress and singer. She is daughter of the Mexican composer José Ángel Espinoza "Ferrusquilla". She is recognized for her performances in various Mexican film productions such as ''Cilantro y perejil'' (1997), ''
Sexo, pudor y lágrimas ''Sexo, pudor y lágrimas'' (''Sex, Shame, and Tears'') is a Mexican Romantic comedy, romantic Comedy film, comedy drama film, the second of the so-called New Era of the Cinema of Mexico (after ''Like Water for Chocolate (film), Like Water for C ...
'' (1999) and ''
El crimen del Padre Amaro ''The Crime of Padre Amaro'' (, known by its literal translation ''The Crime of Father Amaro'' in Australia) is a 2002 Mexican- Spanish drama film directed by Carlos Carrera. It is very loosely based on the novel '' O Crime do Padre Amaro'' (18 ...
'' (2002) and in diverse American productions like ''
A Walk in the Clouds ''A Walk in the Clouds'' is a 1995 period romantic drama film directed by Alfonso Arau and starring Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Giancarlo Giannini, Angélica Aragón, Evangelina Elizondo, Debra Messing and Anthony Quinn. An in ...
'' (1995) and '' Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights'' (2002) among others. She is also famous for having starred in two famous Mexican telenovelas: '' Vivir un poco'' (1985) and '' Mirada de mujer'' (1997).


Biography


Early life

Angelica Espinoza Stransky is the elder daughter of the Mexican actor and composer José Ángel Espinoza "Ferrusquilla" and Sonia Stransky. She had a younger sister named Vindia (deceased in 2008). On her mother's side, she has two half-siblings, Jacqueline and John. Her maternal grandfather, of Czech origin, was a soldier in the service of Emperor
Franz Joseph Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I ( ; ; 18 August 1830 – 21 November 1916) was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and the ruler of the Grand title of the emperor of Austria, other states of the Habsburg monarchy from 1848 until his death ...
of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military and diplomatic alliance, it consist ...
and fought in the
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
. Her mother Sonia was the secretary of the musician
Carlos Chávez Carlos Antonio de Padua Chávez y Ramírez (13 June 1899 – 2 August 1978) was a Mexican composer, conducting, conductor, music theorist, educator, journalist, and founder and director of the Mexican Symphonic Orchestra. He was influence ...
. Her parents divorced when Angelica was three years old. She spent her childhood accompanying her father between television and film forums. Angelica lived with her mother and sister in a house in the
Colonia del Valle Colonia Del Valle ( Spanish: ''Del Valle neighborhood'') is a Colonia in the Benito Juarez borough of Mexico City. Founded as an aristocratic recreational neighborhood during the Porfiriato era, it has witnessed the various transformations ...
of
Mexico City Mexico City is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Mexico, largest city of Mexico, as well as the List of North American cities by population, most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and finan ...
, while also often living with her father.


Artistic training

Aragón wanted to study medicine. She studied at the Liceo Franco-Mexicano in Mexico City, where she met the Spanish actor Juan Ribó. Aragón joined the theatrical company led by Ribó, who was working on
Federico García Lorca Federico del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús García Lorca (5 June 1898 – 19 August 1936) was a Spanish poet, playwright, and theatre director. García Lorca achieved international recognition as an emblematic member of the Generation of '27, a g ...
's works at the Teatro de la Alianza Francesa in Mexico City. In 1970, she also participated in a play by the director Antonio Pasi within the Festival Cervantino, in
Guanajuato Guanajuato, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Guanajuato, is one of the 32 states that make up the Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into Municipalities of Guanajuato, 46 municipalities and its cap ...
. With the support of her father, she played a small character in the
telenovela A telenovela is a type of a television serial drama or soap opera produced primarily in Latin America. The word combines ''tele'' (for "television") and ''novela'' (meaning "novel"). Similar Drama (film and television), drama genres around the w ...
'' El amor tiene cara de mujer'' in 1971, produced by
Televisa Grupo Televisa, S.A.B., simply known as Televisa, is a Mexican telecommunications and broadcasting company. A major Latin American mass media corporation, it often presents itself as the largest producer of Spanish-language content. In April ...
and directed by German director Fernando Wagner. It was through Juan Ribó that Aragón met the actor, director and playwright
Alejandro Jodorowsky Alejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky (; born 17 February 1929) is a Chilean and French Experimental film, avant-garde filmmaker. Known for his films ''El Topo'' (1970), ''The Holy Mountain (1973 film), The Holy Mountain'' (1973) and ''Santa Sangre'' ...
, participating as an extra in the film '' La montaña sagrada'' (1973). Aragón took her artistic surname in tribute to her paternal grandmother, Fredesvinda Aragón, who died in childbirth at the age of 19. A strike at the
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México The National Autonomous University of Mexico (, UNAM) is a public university, public research university in Mexico. It has several campuses in Mexico City, and many others in various locations across Mexico, as well as a presence in nine countri ...
led Aragón to emigrate to the United Kingdom. She studied theater, dance, and pantomime for seven years at the
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is a drama school located in Hammersmith, London. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest specialist drama school in the British Isles and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools. In ...
(LAMDA). Eventually, she also took courses at the London School of Contemporary Dance. Parallel to her theatrical training, Aragón also did other activities in London. She worked as a cook, performed in a hospital, and sold children's clothing at
Harrods Harrods is a Listed building, Grade II listed luxury department store on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London, England. It was designed by C. W. Stephens for Charles Digby Harrod, and opened in 1905; it replaced the first store on the ground ...
. She also enrolled at the
University of London The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a collegiate university, federal Public university, public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The ...
, where she studied the philosophy of India, history, and languages. Aragón speaks seven languages: Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Bengali, and Japanese. As a theater student, Aragón also worked for five years as a room dresser at the National Theatre in London. Aragón went to
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
with her then-husband Shajid. On the recommendation of a professor at the School of Contemporary Dance in London, Aragón was accepted into Kerala Kalamandalam, one of the most important ritual dance schools in South India. Although this institution accepted only male students, Aragón was able to receive training outside the institution's classrooms. In India, Aragón witnessed many works of the
Kathakali ''Kathakali'' (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: Kathakaḷi ) is a traditional form of Indian Classical Dance, and one of the most complex forms of Theatre of India, Indian theatre. It is a play of verses. These vers ...
theater and participated in some plays.


Television

Returning to Mexico in 1980, Aragón joined the Mexican telenovelas of Televisa with the producer
Valentín Pimstein Valentín Pimstein Weiner (9 August 1925 – 27 June 2017) was a Chilean Television producer, producer of telenovelas. Biography Pimstein was the seventh child of nine in a Belarusian Jewish family (from Minsk), which owns a glass shop in Bar ...
, whom she met through the Greek director Dimitrio Sarrás. She started with a small role in the telenovela '' Sandra y Paulina'' (1980), starring Jacqueline Andere. In 1981 she acted in the telenovela ''
El hogar que yo robé ''El hogar que yo robé'' (English title: ''The Home I Robbed'') is a Mexican telenovela produced by Valentín Pimstein for Canal de las Estrellas in 1981. Angélica María starred has dual role as protagonist/antagonist, Juan Ferrara starred as ...
'', with Angélica María. In 1982, she played the female antagonist role in the telenovela '' Vanessa'', alongside
Lucía Méndez Lucía Leticia Méndez Pérez (born January 26, 1955) is a Mexican telenovela and film actress, top model and singer. Méndez was born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. Career Her first work in television was in the telenovela “Muchacha itali ...
. In 1983, she co-starred with Lucero in the popular children's telenovela '' Chispita''. In 1984, she made two more telenovelas: ''
La fiera Arturo Casco Hernández (March 17, 1961 – September 12, 2010) was a Mexican '' luchador'', or professional wrestler, best known under the ring name La Fiera, which is Spanish for "The Wild Beast". Hernández was a second-generation wrestler, ...
'', alongside
Victoria Ruffo María Victoria Eugenia Guadalupe Martínez del Río Moreno-Ruffo (born May 31, 1962) better known as Victoria Ruffo is a Mexican actress notable for her roles in telenovelas. Biography 1980s Ruffo began her acting career in 1980, starrin ...
, and '' Principessa'', a telenovela that ended shortly after she was offered her first leading role. In 1985, Valentín Pimstein gave Aragón the starring role of the telenovela '' Vivir un poco'', the first Mexican version of the Chilean telenovela ''La madrastra'', by writer Arturo Moya Grau. In that telenovela, Aragón gave life to the persona of ''Andrea'', a woman unjustly accused of murder and imprisoned for twenty years in
Argentina Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...
. The telenovela gained a large following and it gave Aragón one of the most outstanding successes of her career. In 1986, the producer and director Carlos Téllez offered Aragón the starring role in the hit telenovela '' Cuna de lobos'', but she rejected it, being replaced by
Diana Bracho Diana Bracho (born Diana Guadalupe Bracho y Bordes Mangel; 12 December 1944) is a Mexican actress. Early life Diana Bracho is the daughter of actor/director Julio Bracho, the niece of actress Andrea Palma and the aunt of actor Julio Bracho (n ...
. Aragón's increasing presence in movies caused her not to return to television until 1989, in '' La casa al final de la calle'', a suspense and mystery telenovela co-starred by Héctor Bonilla and Leticia Calderón. The telenovela was produced by Juan Osorio and directed by
Jorge Fons Jorge Fons Pérez (23 April 1939 – 22 September 2022) was a Mexican film director. He belonged to the first generation of film directors of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). His short film, ''Caridad'' (1973), is still con ...
. In 1990, Aragón starred in the telenovela '' Días sin luna'' alongside Sergio Goyri, where she interpreted a painter with a terminal illness. She also made a special appearance in the telenovela '' En carne propia'', produced by Carlos Téllez, starring alongside
Edith González Edith González Fuentes (; 10 December 1964 – 13 June 2019) was a Mexican actress, regarded as a blonde bombshell and one of the most beautiful actresses in Mexican cinema. She is best remembered for working on multiple telenovelas produced by ...
and Gonzalo Vega. In 1992, Aragón was invited to act as director of dialogue in the telenovela '' Madres egoístas'', produced by Juan Osorio. In that same year, she played "Chole", an indigenous Zapotec woman in the telenovela '' De frente al sol'', produced by Carla Estrada, costarring with the actress
María Sorté María Sorté (born María Harfuch Hidalgo
. The telenovela was so successful, that in 1993 a sequel titled '' Más allá del puente'' was produced. In 1996, Aragón appeared in the telenovela '' Cañaveral de pasiones'', produced by
Humberto Zurita Humberto Zurita Moreno (, born September 2, 1954) is a Mexican actor, director and producer. Zurita, one of 10 siblings from Torreón, Coahuila, is best known as actor, director and producer of telenovelas. Acting career He made his first stage ...
and
Christian Bach Adela Christian Bach Bottino (May 9, 1959 – February 26, 2019), known as Christian Bach, was an Argentine-born Mexican actress and producer of telenovelas produced by companies such as Televisa, TV Azteca and Telemundo. Her most famous wor ...
, and starring Daniela Castro and Juan Soler. In this telenovela, Aragón had her first opportunity to direct in television as a guest scene director. This would be the last telenovela performed to date by Aragón on Televisa. In 1997, the company Argos Comunicación offered Aragón the starring role in the telenovela ''Mirada de mujer'', a Mexican adaptation of the Colombian novel '' Señora Isabel'' by Bernardo Romero Pereiro. The telenovela was produced by
TV Azteca Televisión Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V., commonly known as TV Azteca, is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate owned by Grupo Salinas. It is the second-largest mass media company in Mexico after Televisa. It primarily competes with Televisa as well as so ...
. The story of ''María Inés Domínguez'', a mature woman in love with a younger man, brought Aragón the greatest success of her television career in a telenovela that breaks contemporary stereotypes in Mexico. Aragón starred alongside Ari Telch, Fernando Luján, Margarita Gralia,
Evangelina Elizondo Gloria Evangelina Elizondo López-Llera (28 April 1929 – 2 October 2017) was a Mexican actress and singer from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. She starred in movies, television and theater. She was an accomplished artist having studied at ...
, and an important cast of supporting actors. After the success of ''Mirada de mujer'', Aragón made only sporadic appearances on television, returning with a starring role in 2000 in the telenovela ''Todo por amor'', a Mexican version of the Colombian telenovela ''La madre''. In 2003, she returned to television for the sequel to ''Mirada de mujer'': '' Mirada de mujer, el regreso''. Although the telenovela had a good audience, it did not overtake the success of the first part. In 2005, Aragón appeared in her last significant television role in the miniseries ''Ni una vez más'', about violence against women. She also directed some episodes of the TV Azteca program ''
Lo que callamos las mujeres ''Lo que callamos las mujeres'' (English: ''What We Women Keep Silent''), is a Mexican anthology television series which deals with the social problems of Mexican society. The show started airing on the Mexican television network Azteca 13 as a w ...
''. It was not until 2011 that Aragón returned to television with a small role in the television series '' A corazón abierto'', the Mexican version of the American series ''
Gray's Anatomy ''Gray's Anatomy'' is a reference book of human anatomy written by Henry Gray, illustrated by Henry Vandyke Carter and first published in London in 1858. It has had multiple revised editions, and the current edition, the 42nd (October 2020 ...
''.


Film

In 1984, Aragón made her debut in films in '' The Evil That Men Do'' with
Charles Bronson Charles Bronson (born Charles Dennis Buchinsky; November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) was an American actor. He was known for his roles in action films and his "granite features and brawny physique". Bronson was born into extreme poverty in ...
, produced by Pancho Kohner (son of Mexican actress Lupita Tovar) and J. Lee Thompson. This was followed by three other Hollywood productions: ''
Toy Soldiers A toy soldier is a miniature figurine that represents a soldier. The term applies to depictions of uniformed military personnel from all eras, and includes knights, cowboys, American Indians, pirates, samurai, and other subjects that involve c ...
'' (1984), by David Fisher, alongside Jason Miller and
Tim Robbins Timothy Francis Robbins (born October 16, 1958) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Andy Dufresne in the film '' The Shawshank Redemption ''(1994), and Jacob Singer in '' Jacob's Ladder'' (1990), as well as winning an Academy ...
; '' Samson and Delilah'' (1984), made for television, alongside
Max von Sydow Max von Sydow (; born Carl Adolf von Sydow; 10 April 1929 – 8 March 2020) was a Swedish and French actor. He had a 70-year career in European and American cinema, television, and theatre, appearing in more than 150 films and several television ...
and
Victor Mature Victor John Mature (January 29, 1913 – August 4, 1999) was an American stage, film, and television actor who was a leading man in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. His best known film roles include '' One Million B.C.'' (1940), '' My Darli ...
, and ''
Dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...
'' (1984), by
David Lynch David Keith Lynch (January 20, 1946 – January 16, 2025) was an American filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and actor. Widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Lynch was often called a "visionary" and received acclaim f ...
, alongside
Silvana Mangano Silvana Mangano (; 21 April 1930 – 16 December 1989) was an Italian film actress. She was one of a generation of thespians who arose from the neorealist movement, and went on to become a major female star, regarded as a sex symbol for the 19 ...
,
Jose Ferrer Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. Given name Mishnaic and Talmudic periods * Jose ben Abin * Jose ben Akabya *Jose the Galilean * Jose ben Halafta ...
, and singer Sting, among others. Due to her participation in a Mexican telenovela, Aragón had to decline the actor and director
Robert Redford Charles Robert Redford Jr. (born August 18, 1936) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received numerous accolades such as an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, as well as the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1994, the ...
's invitation to co-star with him in the film ''
The Milagro Beanfield War ''The Milagro Beanfield War'' is a 1988 American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Redford, based on a novel by John Nichols. The movie features an ensemble cast including Ruben Blades, Richard Bradford, Sônia Braga, Julie Carmen, James G ...
''. Her role was taken by the Brazilian actress Sonia Braga. In the Mexican cinema Aragón debuted in 1986 in the film ''Los dos frailes'', next to the brothers Fernando and Mario Almada. She then appeared in other Mexican productions like ''Lamberto Quintero'' (1987) alongside the folk singer Antonio Aguilar; ''Sabor a mí'' (1988) with the singer Jose Jose, inspired by the life of the Mexican composer Alvaro Carrillo; ''La furia de un dios'' (1988), by Felipe Cazals, alongside Humberto Zurita and Assumpta Serna, and ''Goitia: un dios para si mismo'' (1989), by Diego López Rivera, inspired by the life of the painter Francisco Goitia, among other films. At the beginning of the following decade, Aragón appeared in films like ''Pueblo de madera'' (1990), by Juan Antonio de la Riva, with Mario Almada and Gabriela Roel; '' Gertrudis'' (1992), based on the life of the Mexican political activist
Gertrudis Bocanegra María Gertrudis Teodora Bocanegra Mendoza (11 April 1765 – 11 October 1817) was a woman who fought in the Mexican War of Independence. She was arrested, tortured and executed in 1817. Life Gertrudis Bocanegra was born in Pátzcuaro in what is ...
, with Ofelia Medina; the American production '' The Harvest'' with
Miguel Ferrer Miguel José Ferrer (February 7, 1955 – January 19, 2017) was an American actor. His breakthrough role was as Bob Morton in the 1987 film ''RoboCop''. Other film roles include Harbinger in '' Hot Shots! Part Deux'' (1993), Quigley in '' Blank ...
and
George Clooney George Timothy Clooney (born May 6, 1961) is an American actor, filmmaker, and philanthropist. Known for his leading man roles on screen in both blockbuster and independent films, Clooney has received numerous accolades, including two Ac ...
; ''La señorita'' (1994), by Mario Hernández, with Jacqueline Andere and
María Rojo María de Lourdes Rojo e Incháustegui, commonly known as María Rojo (; born August 15, 1943), is a Mexican actress and politician. She was Senator of the Republic in the upper house of Mexican Congress. She debuted during the Golden Age of M ...
, and ''Novia que te vea'' (1994), by Guita Schyfter, for which she received her first
Silver Ariel The Ariel Award () is an award that recognizes the best of Mexican cinema. Given annually, since 1946, by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AMACC), the award recognizes artistical and technical excellence in the Mexic ...
Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 1995, Aragón appeared in the successful film production ''
A Walk in the Clouds ''A Walk in the Clouds'' is a 1995 period romantic drama film directed by Alfonso Arau and starring Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Giancarlo Giannini, Angélica Aragón, Evangelina Elizondo, Debra Messing and Anthony Quinn. An in ...
'', by Alfonso Aráu, with
Keanu Reeves Keanu Charles Reeves ( ; born September 2, 1964) is a Canadian actor and musician. The recipient of numerous accolades in a career on screen spanning four decades, he is known for his leading roles in action films, his amiable public imag ...
and
Anthony Quinn Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca (April 21, 1915 – June 3, 2001), known as Anthony Quinn, was an American actor. He was known for his portrayal of earthy, passionate characters "marked by a brutal and elemental virility" in over 100 ...
. In that same year she won her second Silver Ariel Award as best supporting actress for her role in the film ''Cilantro y perejil'', alongside Demián Bichir and
Arcelia Ramírez Arcelia Ramírez (born 7 December 1967) is a Mexican actress. She has appeared in more than 50 films and television shows since 1985. She starred in the film '' Such Is Life'', which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2000 Can ...
and directed by Rafael Montero. In 1999, she appeared in the films ''Crónica de un desayuno'' by Benjamin Cann, and in the successful ''
Sexo, pudor y lágrimas ''Sexo, pudor y lágrimas'' (''Sex, Shame, and Tears'') is a Mexican Romantic comedy, romantic Comedy film, comedy drama film, the second of the so-called New Era of the Cinema of Mexico (after ''Like Water for Chocolate (film), Like Water for C ...
'' by Antonio Serrano. In 2000, Aragón worked with Alfonso Arau in the film '' Picking Up the Pieces''. In this production, Aragón also served as an assistant director, having the opportunity to work with stars such as
Woody Allen Heywood Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; November 30, 1935) is an American filmmaker, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades. Allen has received many List of awards and nominations received by Woody Allen, accolade ...
,
Kiefer Sutherland Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland (born 21 December 1966) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his starring role as Jack Bauer in the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox drama series ''24 (TV series), 24'' (2001–2010, 20 ...
, and
Sharon Stone Sharon Vonne Stone (born March 10, 1958) is an American actress and film producer. Known for primarily playing femmes fatales and women of mystery on film and television, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1990s. She is the ...
. In 2002, she appeared in the controversial and successful film by
Carlos Carrera Carlos Carrera (born 18 August 1962) is a Mexican film director and screenwriter. He directed '' El crimen del Padre Amaro'' (2002), which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In 2009, he directed ''Backyard'' abou ...
''
El crimen del Padre Amaro ''The Crime of Padre Amaro'' (, known by its literal translation ''The Crime of Father Amaro'' in Australia) is a 2002 Mexican- Spanish drama film directed by Carlos Carrera. It is very loosely based on the novel '' O Crime do Padre Amaro'' (18 ...
'' next to
Gael García Bernal Gael García Bernal (; born 30 November 1978) is a Mexican actor and filmmaker. He is known for his performances in the films ''Amores perros'' (2000), ''Y tu mamá también'' (2001), ''Bad Education (2004 film), Bad Education'' (2004), ''The Mot ...
, for which she won the third Silver Ariel Award of her cinematographic career. In 2004 she appeared in '' Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights'', starring
Diego Luna Diego Dionisio Luna Alexander (; born 29 December 1979) is a Mexican actor, director, and producer, best known for his portrayal of Cassian Andor in ''Rogue One, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'' (2016) and the Disney+ series ''Andor (TV series), ...
. In 2005 Aragón was part of the cast of the film ''
La mujer de mi hermano ''My Brother's Wife'' () is a 2005 Mexican film directed by Ricardo de Montreuil, based on the novel of the same name by the Peruvian writer, journalist and TV host Jaime Bayly. It starred Bárbara Mori, Manolo Cardona, Christian Meier, and ...
'', by Ricardo de Montreuil, alongside Barbara Mori. In 2006, she appeared in the film ''
Bella Bella is a feminine given name. It is a diminutive form of names ending in -bella. ''Bella'' is related to the Italian, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese and Latin words for beautiful, and to the name Belle (given name), Belle, meaning ''beautiful'' in F ...
'' by
Alejandro Gómez Monteverde José Alejandro Gómez Monteverde (born 13 July 1977) is a Mexican filmmaker. His first film, ''Bella'', took top prize at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival by winning the "People's Choice Award". He also directed the films '' Sound ...
. In 2009 she appeared in the American production '' From Mexico with Love'' with Kuno Becker, in the Mexican production ''Recién cazado'' starring
Jaime Camil Jaime Federico Said Camil de Saldanha da Gama (born 22 July 1973) is a Mexican actor, singer and television personality. He is best known for his roles as Fernando Mendiola in '' La Fea Más Bella'' and Rogelio de la Vega in '' Jane the Virgin' ...
, and in the American production ''Looking for Palladin'' by the filmmaker
Andrzej Krakowski Andrzej Krakowski (born 1946) is a Polish-American film producer, screenwriter, and film director, director. His production of a 10-episode dramatic TV series ''We Are New York'', funded by and produced for the Mayor's Office of New York, won tw ...
, with
Ben Gazzara Biagio Anthony "Ben" Gazzara (August 28, 1930 – February 3, 2012) was an American actor and director of film, stage, and television. He received numerous accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Drama Desk Award, in addition to nomina ...
. In the 2010s, Aragón acted in films like ''Cinco de mayo: La batalla'' (2013), again with actor Kuno Becker; the Spanish-Mexican co-production ''Todos están muertos'' (2014), by the filmmaker Beatriz Sanchiz, sharing a scene with
Elena Anaya Elena Anaya Gutiérrez (born 17 July 1975) is a Spanish actress. She garnered public recognition in Spain for her performance in ''Sex and Lucia'' (2001), which also earned her a nomination to the Goya Award for Best Supporting Actress. She st ...
and
Patricia Reyes Spíndola Patricia Verónica Núñez Reyes Spíndola (born 11 July 1953) is a Mexican actress, director, and producer. She has received four Ariel Awards, two for Best Actress ('' Los Motivos de Luz'' in 1985 and '' The Queen of the Night'' in 1994), an ...
, and ''Treintona, soltera y fantástica'' (2016), starring Barbara Mori. In 2016 Aragón also lent her voice to a character in the Latin American dubbing of the animated
Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly referred to as simply Disney, is an American multinational mass media and entertainment industry, entertainment conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios (Burbank), Walt Di ...
film '' Moana''. In that same year, she also appeared in the film '' Mr. Pig'', directed by Diego Luna and starring the American actor
Danny Glover Danny Glover ( ; born July 22, 1946) is an American actor, producer, and political activist. Over his career he has received List of awards and nominations received by Danny Glover, numerous accolades including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian A ...
. For this performance Aragón received a nomination for a Silver Ariel Award in the category of Best Actress in a Minor Role.


Stage

Aragón began her acting career in various student theater projects at the Festival Cervantino in Guanajuato and at the Teatro de la Alianza Francesa. After meeting Alejandro Jodorowsky, Aragón had a small role in the play ''Zaratustra'' (1970), also featuring Héctor Bonilla, Carlos Ancira and Isela Vega. She also had a small role in the work ''The Lady of the Camellias'' (1970), directed by Jose Solé Nájera and produced by
Dolores del Río María de los Dolores Asúnsolo y López Negrete (3 August 1904 – 11 April 1983), known professionally as Dolores del Río (), was a Mexican actress. With a career spanning more than 50 years, she is regarded as the first major female Latin Am ...
. Some of Aragón's more significant roles on stage include ''El día que pisamos la luna'' (1981), of Nancy Cárdenas; '' Fool for Love'' (1986), by
Sam Shepard Samuel Shepard Rogers III (November 5, 1943 – July 27, 2017) was an American playwright, actor, director, screenwriter, and author whose career spanned half a century. He wrote 58 plays as well as several books of short stories, essays, ...
, with Ari Telch; ''Los derechos de la mujer'' (1988), with
Rafael Banquells Rafael Banquells Garafulla (born Rafael Banquells Garafulla; 25 June 1917 – 27 October 1990) was a Cuban-born Mexican actor, director and TV producer known in Mexico as Rafael Banquells (I). Biography Banquells was born on 25 June 1917 in ...
; ''Contrabando'' (1991), of Víctor Hugo Rascón, with Héctor Bonilla; ''Águila Real'' (1992), by Hugo Arguelles, about the life of Isabel Moctezuma; ''Las dos camelias'' (1993), directed by Susana Alexander; ''Poker de reinas'' (1993) by Víctor Hugo Rascón Banda, alongside Ofelia Medina and the singers Betsy Pecanins and Margie Bermejo; ''Cartas de amor'', directed again by Alexander, first with Héctor Bonilla (1994), and years later with
César Évora César Évora Díaz (; born November 4, 1959) is a Cuban- Mexican actor. Biography Évora started his career in Cuba appearing in more than ten movies before moving to Mexico in the early 1990s. He became known for playing minor roles in the ...
(2006); and ''El juego de la pasión'' (1995), directed by Mario Espinoza, with
Fernando Balzaretti Fernando Balzaretti (June 10, 1946 – September 5, 1998) was a Mexican actor. Career Balzaretti began his acting career in the 1960s and by the time of his death in 1998 had acted in at least 40 films, 21 telenovelas and 136 plays. He was a ...
. In 1996, Aragón starred in the Hellenic Theater of Mexico City's monologue ''Maquillaje (Kesho)'', by the Japanese author Hisashi Inoue, which commemorated 100 years of Japanese emigration to Mexico. For this piece, the actress received special permission from one of the main Japanese actors of the Kabuki theater, Nakamura Kankurō V. In the performance, Aragón interpreted an actress who represents all the masculine characters on stage, in reverse fashion to conventional Kabuki theater. The editing was directed by Wendell Cordz and was an outstanding theatrical successes for Aragón. Other successful plays featuring Aragón include ''El verdadero oeste'' (2008), directed by José Caballero, with
Plutarco Haza Plutarco Haza (; born 22 June 1972) is a Mexican actor raised in Mazatlán Mazatlán () is a city in the Mexican list of states of Mexico, state of Sinaloa. The city serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding , known as the Mazatlá ...
and Fabián Corres; ''Pequeños crímenes conyugales'' (2008), directed by Luis de Tavira, with Ricardo Blume; ''El juicio de Hidalgo'' (2010), directed by and starring Jorge Ortiz de Pinedo and ''Relaciones peligrosas'' (2013), with Jacqueline and
Chantal Andere Jacqueline Chantal Fernández Andere (, born January 25, 1972) is a Mexican actress and singer, best known for her portrayal of antagonistic roles in multiple telenovelas. Early life and career Andere was born to Mexican actress Jacqueline ...
and directed by Aragón herself. As director, Aragón also directed the films ''Tengamos el sexo en paz'', starring Margarita Gralia (2000); Sueña (2007), with Irma Lozano and Aarón Hernán; ''Por razones oscuras'' (2008), starring Esteban Soberanes and Roberto D'Amico, and ''La última palabra'' (2016), starring D'Amico and Pablo Perroni. In 2013 she also starred in the musical show ''Su Majestad, El Bolero'' with D'Amico. In 2014 Aragón was invited by the director Patrick Swanson to participate in ''The Christmas Revels'', at the Sanders Theater at
Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...
.


Music

Having received artistic training in the United Kingdom that included music, Aragón released a record titled ''Silencio corazón''in 1997, born with the intention of preserving the compositions of her father, José Ángel Espinoza or "Ferrusquilla". The album was independently recorded. In 2009 she released the album ''Échame a mi culpa: vida y canciones de "Ferrusquilla"'', a musical of her father's life. This was supported by a theatrical project featuring the actor Roberto D'Amico. In 2010, on the occasion of the bicentennial of Mexican independence, Aragón released a third album titled ''México: mi palabra más bella'', produced by her father. In 2013, Aragón released an album titled ''Su Majestad, El Bolero'', a tribute to the
bolero Bolero is a genre of song which originated in eastern Cuba in the late 19th century as part of the trova tradition. Unrelated to the older Spanish dance of the same name, bolero is characterized by sophisticated lyrics dealing with love. It h ...
genre. The disc was released at the Lunario del
National Auditorium National Auditorium () is an entertainment center at Paseo de la Reforma #50, Chapultepec in Mexico City. The National Auditorium is considered among the world's best venues by specialized media. It was designed by Mexican architects Pedro Ram ...
.


Social and political activism

Aragón has given theater workshops in various parts of Mexico. For several years, she has been part of the campaign known as ''Lectura en voz alta'', responsible for promoting reading with children and adults in rural regions of Mexico. Aragón has been an intelligent and persistent political activist both outside and within her country. She has advocated against the sexual abuse of women, and for obtaining and promoting better working and socio-economic conditions for women. she has signed a large number of manifestos, alongside many other figures from literature, film, and both Mexican and international culture.


Personal life

When Aragón was 19 years old, she married Shajid, an Indian musician from
Calcutta Kolkata, also known as Calcutta (List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern ba ...
whom she met at a music festival in Mexico not long before. Shajid is currently in charge of the music department at the National Theatre in London. She lived in India for a year; the marriage ended soon after. In 1989, when Aragón was filming ''Goitia: un dios para si mismo'' in
Zacatecas Zacatecas, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Zacatecas, is one of the Political divisions of Mexico, 31 states of Mexico. It is divided into Municipalities of Zacatecas, 58 municipalities and its capital city is Zacatecas City, Zacatec ...
, she had an affair with an old friend from her youth, the historian Rodrigo Martinez. As a result of this relationship, her only daughter, María, was born.


Filmography


Film


Television


Directing credits


References


External links


Angélica Aragón
Official Mini-site * {{DEFAULTSORT:Aragon, Angelica 1953 births Actresses from Mexico City Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Ariel Award winners Best Supporting Actress Ariel Award winners Living people Mexican film actresses Mexican telenovela actresses Mexican voice actresses Mexican stage actresses Mexican people of Czech descent