FERNÁNDEZ, VICENTE

(1940 - )

   one of the biggest stars of 1970s and 1980s Mexico, Vicente Fernández was born in Huentitlán in the state of Jalisco. As a youth he had a variety of jobs, but turned professional singer at the age of 21, appearing on local TV in Guadalajara. He later moved to Mexico City, and after becoming a success on TV and with his recordings, made his film debut in 1970. At first he was cast in rancheras and urban, working-class comedy-dramas in frank imitation of Pedro Infante, but he later appeared in some Westerns and contemporary dramas (albeit with music) as well. Fernández, married to the same woman since 1963, has three sons, the youngest of whom (Alejandro Fernández) is a major singing star himself (Vicente and Alejandro appeared together in the film Mi querido viejo (1991)). Fernández's films include Picardia mexicana, Tacos al carbón (his first), and La ley del monte.