Person Biography:
Victor Jiménez was born on November 5, 1934, in Manhattan to Maria L. Jimenez Rosario and Victor Jimenez, both originally from Quebradillas, Puerto Rico. Growing up in the South Bronx, Victor was exposed to a multicultural environment, with influences from Latin, Jewish, and Irish cultures. This diverse upbringing would later serve as a foundation for his 50-year career as a character actor on stage, television, and film.
In his early twenties, Victor became a fixture in stage productions, both on and off-Broadway. During this time, he befriended Yoko Ono and Harvey Keitel, with whom he collaborated on various projects. Victor's career took him back and forth between Los Angeles and New York City, where he accumulated an impressive list of film credits.
Victor made his major film debut in the early 1970s with a small part in The Unholy Rollers (1972). A year later, he made his television debut in the made-for-TV film Smile Jenny, You're Dead (1974),an ABC pilot for the series Harry-O. He went on to work with renowned directors such as Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen, often playing rugged supporting roles, particularly cops, gangsters, and criminals.
Some of Victor's notable film credits include Taxi Driver (1976),The Rose, New York Stories (1989),The Last Temptation of Christ (1988),Shadows and Fog (1991),True Romance (1993),and Coyote Ugly (2000). He also had recurring roles on TV series such as Miami Vice (1984) and Law & Order (1990).
In addition to his professional endeavors, Victor volunteered his time and name for DIY and independent filmmakers. In 2001, he played Jennifer Lopez's father in the film Angel Eyes.
Tragically, Victor passed away at the age of 69 due to complications from lung cancer. Just before his death, he realized a lifelong dream of acting on Broadway, starring in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama 'Anna in the Tropics'. Victor's legacy will be deeply missed.
