AGUILAR, ANTONIO

(1919, '22 or '26? - )

   Antonio Aguilar was born in Villanueva, Zacatecas. After working on a ranch and studying in the United States, Aguilar returned to Mexico and began a singing career, getting his big break on the famous radio station XEW in 1950. Aguilar made numerous film appearances as a pop "crooner" (billed as "Tony" or "Toni" Aguilar) in light comedies of the early 1950s like Mi papá tuvo la culpa (1952), then switched to Westerns with the "Mauricio Rosales, El Rayo" series, followed by a long string of rancheras. Aguilar was one of the most powerful figures in the entertainment industry from the 1960s through the 1980s and is practically a legend today, still touring with an elaborate musical spectacular that includes numerous performers and a LOT of horses. He produced many of his own films, alternating tales of the Mexican Revolution - including Emiliano Zapata (1970), at the time the most expensive Mexican film ever made - and comedy rancheras. Aguilar has the distinction of having portrayed both Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, as well as other historical and legendary characters. Aguilar was at one time the husband of actress Otilia Larrañaga, and has been married to actress/singer Flor Silvestre (his frequent co-star) since the '60s. Aguilar's sons Antonio Jr. and José have both had film and recording careers, although their popularity does not approach that of their father.