Mexican actor Silvia Pinal, a cinema legend who appeared in classics with Luis Buñuel and had a seven-decade career, has passed away. She was a star in her youth and went on to appear in notable films, including Viridiana and The Exterminating Angel. Her legacy as an artist and contributions to Mexican culture will be remembered.
Mexican Actor Appeared in Classics with Luis Buñuel and Had a Seven-Decade Career
Early Life and Career
Pinal got her start in theatre in the 1940s, working with director Rafael Banquells – the first of her four husbands. She became a star in 1950 aged 18, when she appeared opposite two of Mexico’s biggest comedic film stars: Germán Valdés (Tin-Tan) in The King of the Neighborhood and Mario Moreno (Cantinflas) in The Doorman.
Notable Roles
In 1961 she played the titular role in Luis Buñuel’s film Viridiana. She went on to appear in two other Buñuel films: The Exterminating Angel in 1962 and Simon of the Desert in 1965.
Later Career and Legacy
She was one of the few Golden Age actors who also adapted to a subsequent career in television, after the quality of Mexican film began tapering off in the 1960s. She also worked as a producer, and served in Congress.
Personal Life
Pinal is survived by her ex-husband, Enrique Guzmán, and her daughters, actress Sylvia Pasquel and rock singer Alejandra Guzmán. Funeral plans have not yet been announced.
Death and Funeral Plans
Her family recently reported that she had been hospitalized for a urinary tract infection before her death was confirmed by Mexico’s culture secretary, Claudia Curiel de Icaza. “Her legacy as an artist and her contributions to our culture are unforgettable. Rest in peace,” Curiel de Icaza wrote on social media.
