Duncan Renaldo
| Duncan Renaldo | |
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Duncan Renaldo, in his trophy room in Goleta, Ca., circa 1973-74.
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| Born |
Renault Renaldo Duncan April 23, 1904 Oancea, Galați County, Romania |
| Died | September 3, 1980 (aged 76) Goleta, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1928-1980 |
Renault Renaldo Duncan (April 23, 1904 – September 3, 1980), better known as Duncan Renaldo, was a Romanian-born American actor best remembered for his portrayal of The Cisco Kid in films and on the 1950-1956 American TV series, The Cisco Kid.
Renaldo told some interviewers that he actually did not know where he was born. Various sources claim that he was born in Oancea, Romania as Vasile Dumitru V. Couyanos or Basil Couyanos.
Renaldo claimed to have never known his biological parents and was raised in several European countries. He emigrated to America in the 1920s. Failing to support himself as a portrait painter, he tried producing short films. He eventually took up acting and signed with MGM in 1928 where he worked in at least two major films, The Bridge of San Luis Rey and Trader Horn. In 1934, he was arrested for illegal entry into the United States, but eventually was pardoned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and returned to acting.
He found minor roles at Republic Studios and other Poverty Row studios until he convinced Republic head Herbert Yates in 1939 to introduce a Latin cowboy into The Three Mesquiteers series. The character only lasted a year, though, and Renaldo was back to minor roles in B-films, for example Tiger Fangs (1943). Renaldo did play some roles in mainstream films as well, including in Spawn of the North (1938) with George Raft, Henry Fonda and John Barrymore; and For Whom the Bell Tolls with Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman. He was also a producer, writer and director.
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