Arnaldo Santana
Arnaldo Santana | |
|---|---|
 Santana in 1972 | |
| Born | Luis Arnaldo Santana September 1, 1950 El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 8, 1987 (aged 37) New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin |
| Occupation(s) | Film, stage and television actor |
Luis Arnaldo Santana (September 1, 1950[1] – October 8, 1987) was an American film, stage and television actor. He was best known for playing Tony Montana's henchman Ernie in the 1983 film Scarface.[2]
Life and career
Santana was born in El Paso, Texas, the son of Mariano Santana[3] and Lilia Zuniga. He attended and graduated from Burges High School.[4] After graduating, he attended the University of Texas at Austin, studying drama. He acted in numerous stage productions at the Upstairs Downtown Theater, and at Festival Theater in Montana.[5] He began his screen career in 1977, appearing in the film The Boys from Riverside Drive. The next year, he appeared in the films A Night at Aldonis and Dune Buddies.[6]
Later in his career, Santana guest-starred in television programs including The Doctors and Nurse,[7] and also in films such as Scarface (as Tony Montana's henchman Ernie),[2] Cruising and Rage of Angels. In 1984, he starred as Pablo Rivera's brother-in-law Hector Del Gato in the ABC sitcom television series a.k.a. Pablo,[8] starring along with Paul Rodriguez, Héctor Elizondo, Joe Santos, Alma Cuervo, Martha Veléz, Maria Richwine, Bert Rosario and Katy Jurado.[9]
Santana retired from acting in 1984, last appearing in the stage play Short Eyes.[10]
Death
Santana died in New York on October 8, 1987, at age 37.[3][4]
References
- ^ "Arnaldo Santana". AllMovie. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "Scarface (1983)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b "Santana". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. October 11, 1987. p. 33. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Rites scheduled for El Paso-born TV, movie actor". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. October 11, 1987. p. 5. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Two Players Guest Star In New Spanish Comedy". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. February 6, 1972. p. 95. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Arnaldo Santana". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ "Singers needed our support". El Paso Herald-Post. El Paso, Texas. January 15, 1982. p. 54. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lear gives 'Pablo' potential". The Evening Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. March 6, 1984. p. 24. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Leszczak, Bob (May 31, 2016). Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980s: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 4. ISBN 9780786499588 – via Google Books.
- ^ Watt, Douglas (November 28, 1984). "'Short Eyes' still forceful". Daily News. New York, New York. p. 49. Retrieved July 18, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.