In 2023, the Star+ platform released a new series: Nada. Starring Robert De Niro, who was recently targeted by Donald Trump, shared the lead role with an Argentine actor, Luis Brandoni. Portraying a culinary critic going through a personal crisis after the death of his chambermaid wife, the actor excelled on screen and gained recognition among the general public, especially in Europe.
However, in Argentina, Luis Brandoni was already an icon. With over 50 feature films to his credit, the Buenos Aires native was a revered figure in Argentine cinema and theater. A legend who passed away on Sunday, April 19. In a statement, his producer announced: “Luis Brandoni has died. With ‘Beto’, a key figure from an unforgettable generation and a great advocate of national theater, is gone,” as reported by AFP. The actor had been hospitalized for nearly a week due to a head injury sustained from a fall at his home.
A Legend of Argentine Cinema
In Argentina, “Beto” made a lasting impact on national cinema. Honored four times with “Martin Fierro” awards, equivalent to the Oscars or Molières, the actor was a prime example of longevity as he received his last award in 2017, 47 years after his first win in 1970.
Famous in Europe for his role in Nada alongside Robert De Niro, who recently reacted to his daughter’s coming out, Luis Brandoni also shone in 2019 in the film La odisea de los giles (Heroic Losers), which received excellent reviews in France. Very active, he notably portrayed former president Arturo Illia on stage and played the lead role in the sitcom El hombre de tu vida, alongside Guillermo Francella.
Active in Politics
A committed actor, Luis Brandoni also had a long political career. A historical member of the Radical Civic Union (UCR), he always stood for republican values, democracy, and civil rights. His commitment led him to leave the country in the late 1980s to escape the military dictatorship (1976-1983) after being imprisoned with his wife.
Returning to Argentina after the fall of the dictatorship, he became a cultural advisor to President Raúl Alfonsín (1983-1989), before being elected to the Chamber of Deputies, where he served until 2001. Despite his age, the actor never stopped being active and was still appearing in several theater plays in Argentina this year.
