José Mojica Marins was born on March 13, 1936, in São Paulo, Brazil, to a family of modest means. His early life was marked by a strong affinity for cinema, which began to take shape as he spent a significant amount of time with his family at the local moviehouse, where his father played a crucial role in its management.
As a young man, José had already completed an impressive eighty films by the time he reached the age of eighteen. His fascination with horror movies and socially charged films with shocking commentary was evident from an early stage, and would remain a staple of his work throughout his career.
When José was offered the lead role of "Coffin Joe" in Brazil's first full-length horror film, "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul", the character quickly became an integral part of his identity. His distinctive look, which included a black top hat, suit, and cape, was complemented by his signature long artificial nails, which he later grew naturally for over thirty years before finally cutting them in 1998.
Interestingly, the initial two "Coffin Joe" films from the 1960s, "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul" and "This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse", have since been officially recognized as part of a trilogy. José completed filming of the third installment, "The Embodiment of Evil", in December 2006, a remarkable forty years after the release of the first film in the series. Fans eagerly anticipate the release of this new movie, expected to hit theaters in the summer of 2008.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of José Mojica Marins' unique world, a documentary exploring his life, titled "Coffin Joe: The Strange World of José Mojica Marins", was produced in 2001 and offers a fascinating glimpse into his extraordinary career.
