Born in 1915 in Chihuahua, Mexico, he rose to fame as a versatile actor known for his strong screen presence. He moved to the U.S. in his youth and began acting in the 1930s. His breakthrough came with "Viva Zapata!" (1952), earning his first Oscar. He gained further acclaim with roles in "La Strada" (1954), "Lust for Life" (1956), and "Zorba the Greek" (1964). Over his six-decade career, he became renowned for his portrayals of passionate, larger-than-life characters. He passed away in 2001.