QUINN, Anthony

(1915–2001)

   Born Antonio Rudolfo Oaxaca Quinn in Chihuahua, Mexico, Quinn first landed roles primarily as stereotypical Mexicansor Indians. His role as Juan Martinez in The Ox-Bow Incident(1943) moved beyond stereotype as the Mexican is unjustly accused of murder and cattle rustling. At first he merely responds, “No sabe,” to all questions from the mob. When he is forced to speak English, Martinez speaks with stoic dignity. Brought back from an escape attempt with a bullet in his leg, he grabs a knife, grits his teeth, and digs the bullet out contemptuously. Then he goes to his hanging calmly, the way a man is expected to go, while reciting his prayers as a Catholic and a Mexican. Minutes later the rustlers find out Martinez was innocent after all.

   Quinn’s strongest role was in Viva Zapata! (1952), for which he won an Oscar for best supporting actor as Zapata’s brash, semi-cultured brother, Eufemio. Two later Western roles show a maturing Quinn playing the urbane sophisticate. In Warlock (1959), Quinn played Tom Morgan, club-footed and unusually protective partner to the gunfighter turned sheriff and saloon proprietor, Blaisedell (Henry Fonda). Dressed with style and acting smoothly with eastern manners, Morgan seems an odd companion for a gunfighter. Quinn appears in a similar role with a comic twist in Heller in Pink Tights (1960), opposite Sophia Loren. Besides his Oscar for Viva Zapata! Quinn was nominated twice more and won one other award for best supporting actor.