Immigrant of the Day: Anthony Quinn

Anthony Quinn (1915–2001) was a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, as well as a painter and writer. Quinn is perhaps best known in the US for his roles in two films, “Zorba the Greek” and his Oscar-winning performance in “Viva Zapata!”

Quinn was born Antonio Rudolfo Oaxaca Quinn in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico. His father, Frank “Francisco” Quinn, was Irish-born and moved to Mexico in order to fight alongside Pancho Villa. His mother, Manuela “Nellie” Oaxaca, was Mexican.

Quinn grew up in the Boyle Heights and the Echo Park neighborhoods of Los Angeles. In 1947, Quinn became a naturalized citizen of the United States. A big break was his playing opposite Marlon Brando in Elia Kazan’s Viva Zapata! (1952). His supporting role as Zapata’s brother won Quinn his first Oscar, the first Mexican-American to win any Academy Award.

KJ