Renault Renaldo Duncan(April 23, 1904 – September 3, 1980), better known asDuncan Renaldo,was a Romanian-born American actor best remembered for his portrayal ofThe Cisco Kidin films and on the 1950–1956 AmericanTV seriesThe Cisco Kid.
Duncan Renaldo | |
|---|---|
 Duncan Renaldo in his trophy room in Goleta, Calif., circa 1973–74. | |
| Born | Vasile Dumitru Cugheanos April 23, 1904 |
| Died | September 3, 1980(aged 76) Goleta, California,U.S. |
| Resting place | Calvary Cemetery,Santa Barbara, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1928–1980 |
Biography
editThis sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(June 2023) |
Early years
edit
Renaldo told some interviewers that he actually did not know where he was born.[1]The prosecution in his immigration case entered into evidence a copy of abirth certificateforwarded by the Romanianconsulstating that he was born inOancea,Romania as,Vasile Dumitru Cugheanos,the natural son of Dumitru and Teodora Cugheanos. Renaldo claimed in his defense that he was born in Camden, New Jersey, and only later raised in Romania as Basil Couyanos by people whom he sometimes referred to as "mother" and "father" but at other times by their Christian names, Demetri and Theodora.[2][3][4][5]
Renaldo claimed never to have known his biological parents and to have been raised in several European countries.[3]He emigrated to America in the 1920s. He claimed Romanian nationality when he took a job on a French freighter and entered the United States in 1917, registering as a foreign seaman; in court records, he claimed that this occurred four years later in 1921, but the prosecution produced evidence that he was listed as a coal passer on the S.S.Puget Soundin 1917 and first entered the United States when this ship landed at Baltimore, Maryland, that year.[6]Failing to support himself as a portrait painter, he tried producing short films. He eventually took up acting and signed withMetro-Goldwyn-Mayerin 1928, where he worked in at least two major films,The Bridge of San Luis ReyandTrader Horn.In January 1933, Renaldo was sentenced to serve two years in federal prison and fined $2000 on conviction of falsely claiming American citizenship, falsifying a passport, and perjury, but he eventually was pardoned by PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltand returned to acting.[7]
He found minor roles atRepublic Studiosand otherPoverty Rowstudios until he persuaded Republic head Herbert Yates in 1939 to introduce a Latin cowboy intoThe Three Mesquiteersseries. The character only lasted a year, though, and Renaldo was back to minor roles inB-films,for exampleTiger Fangs(1943). Renaldo did play some roles in mainstream films as well, includingSpawn of the North(1938), withGeorge Raft,Henry FondaandJohn Barrymore,andFor Whom the Bell TollswithGary CooperandIngrid Bergman.He was also a producer, writer and director.[citation needed]
Television star
edit
In the late 1940s, Renaldo starred in several Hollywood westerns asThe Cisco Kid,and in 1950, he began playing the role in a popular television series that ran until 1956. In the age of black-and-white television, the show was filmed in color. As Cisco, Renaldo roamed theOld Weston a black-and-white horse named Diablo, accompanied by his constant companion, Pancho, played byLeo Carrillo,who was 24 years Renaldo's senior.[citation needed]
Renaldo illustrated a book of poetry by Moreton B. Price titledDrifter's Dreams.His illustrations are ink sketches of idyllic scenes, primarily seascapes and landscapes. He also painted in oils. Two of his large paintings of members of the Maasai tribe whom he met in Kenya while filmingTrader Hornwere prominently displayed in his Santa Barbara home in 1971.[citation needed]
Death
editRenaldo died oflung cancerin 1980, aged 76, inGoleta, California.His interment took place in Calvary Cemetery inSanta Barbara, California.[citation needed]
Legacy
editFor his contributions to the television industry, Renaldo has a star on theHollywood Walk of Fameat 1680 Vine Street. He is pictured with the bandWaron their 1974 albumWar Live,which includes the group's 1973 song "The Cisco Kid".[citation needed]
Partial filmography
edit- The Trail Beyond.Starring John Wayne 1934
- Lady Luck(1936)
- Rose of the Rio Grande(1938)
- Down Mexico Way(1941)
- Call of the South Seas(1944)
- Two Years Before the Mast(1946)
For Whom The Bell Tolls-1943(credited)
See also
edit
References
edit- ^"Duncan Renaldo profile".b-westerns.Retrieved2010-04-16.
- ^Duncan v. United States,68 F.2d 7162,138–139 (9th Cir. 1933).
- ^ab"United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Reports – December 13, 1933".Leagle. Archived fromthe originalon April 4, 2012.Retrieved2010-06-19.
- ^"Renaldo Applies For Citizenship".The Spokesman Chronicle.June 9, 1936.Retrieved2010-05-11.
- ^"The Cisco Kid Duncan Renaldo is dead".Ellensburg Daily Record.September 4, 1980.Retrieved2010-05-11.
- ^Duncan v. United States,68 F.2d 7162,137 (9th Cir. 1933).
- ^"Duncan Renaldo (1904–1980)".noblebandits.asu.edu.Retrieved2010-04-16.
External links
edit
