“You are defined by who you are, by your choices in life, in all regards, not just in doing movies,” says Hollywood actor Andy Garcia.
Garcia has been clear about his goals and been able to achieve them through commitment and honesty. He has been determined to not compromise his principles and guards his personal life highly. Some of Garcia’s memorable Hollywood films include The Godfather: Part III (1990), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and Ocean’s Thirteen (2007).
Andy García was born on 12 April, 1956, in Havana, Cuba. Andy’s family fled to Miami Beach in the US when Fidel Castro came to power. The once affluent family had to support itself through menial jobs. However, soon Garcia’s father started a fragrance company that eventually became a multi-million dollar business.
As a youngster, Garcia dreamt of becoming a professional basketball player but his dreams were shattered when he contracted glandular fever and hepatitis and was unable to participate in any sports. He then decided to take up acting and enrolled at the Florida International University.
In Hollywood, he landed a part in the popular TV series Hills Street Blues (1981). A small film role followed and he came to the notice of Brian De Palma. Palma was looking for actors for his gangster film The Untouchables (1987). Garcia wanted to play an Italian cop in the film instead of the gangster De Palma envisioned as he feared being typecast as a gangster.
The Untouchables was a huge success and Garcia was offered work with leading directors like Ridley Scott, Mike Figgis and Francis Ford Coppola. A spate of good films followed including Black Rain (1989) with Michael Douglas and Internal Affairs (1990) with Richard Gere. Garcia went on to win the role of Vincent Mancini in The Godfather III and was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actor category.
His other films include When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) opposite Meg Ryan, another gangster film, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995), and Hoodlum (1997). After a brief lull in his career he returned with another memorable performance as the casino owner in Ocean’s Eleven (2001).
Andy Garcia has been married to Maria Lorido since 1982, and the couple have three daughters.
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