Victor Argo

Víctor Jiménez was born in Manhattan on November 5, 1934, to Maria L. Jimenez Rosario and Victor Jimenez, both originally from Quebradillas, Puerto Rico. Raised in the South Bronx, Victor's Latin upbringing and proximity to Jewish and Irish cultures gave him the multicultural preparation for a 50 year career as a character actor on stage, on television and in films. Since his early twenties, he was a favorite of stage productions and on and off-Broadway plays.

While appearing in plays in Greenwich Village in the 1960s, Victor made the acquaintance of Yoko Ono, with whom he participated in so-called "happenings" and fledgling actor Harvey Keitel, who remained his close friend for nearly forty years. Bouncing back and forth between Los Angeles and New York City, Victor racked up an impressive roster of film credits.

He made his major film debut in the early 70s in a small part in The Unholy Rollers (1972) and a year later made his television debut in the made for TV film Smile Jenny, You're Dead (1974) an ABC pilot for the series _Harry-O_. Argo became a durable movie tough guy and favorite of such directors including Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen and usually played rugged supporting roles, particularly cops, gangsters and criminals.

His 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).

Argo also had recurring roles on such TV series ranging from Miami Vice (1984) to Law & Order (1990).

Almost always played menacing Italian New Yorkers (though he was himself of Spanish heritage). However, one of his most memorable roles was as a good guy: the weary but righteous Detective Bishop in King of New York (1990).