23/11/2007

Fernando Fernán-Gómez – actor, director, scriptwriter, author and above all one of the most emblematic and controversial personalities of Spanish culture – has died at the age of 86.

A "shy man with a bad character," as he once described himself, Fernán-Gómez collected throughout his long and versatile career several prizes, including the national awards of theatre (1985) and film (1989), the Prince of Asturias Award (1995), four Goyas and three Berlinale Bears, among many others.

While 1943’s Turbante blaco marked the first of over 200 appearances on the silver screen, Fernán-Gómez was also a filmmaker with over 20 titles to his name. His latest film as an actor, Nacho G. Velilla's Fuera de carta, in which he co-starred with Javier Cámara, Lola Dueñas and Chus Lampreave, is currently in post-production.

The wake for Fernán-Gómez took place in the Spanish Theatre of Madrid. The actor’s coffin placed on stage, draped in an anarchist flag, surrounded by several tables and chairs, as in a typical café setting. A number of film personalities and politicians attended the unusual mourning ceremony.

Fernán-Gómez was cremated this morning and Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero announced that Parliament will pay homage to the actor today. His body will be cremated this morning.