Nathanael Frankenstein León - Pro Wrestler / LUCHADOR
Lyger
and will be more known to many of us as "the bald guy that appeared in the
Santo and Capulina movies".
Nathanael León was born on October 26, 1915 in Veracruz, Veracruz. As a
wrestler he was one of the bunch. He gained national exposure wrestling for
EMLL's big arenas in the 50s, but he never had long runs on top or big
drawing periods. However his dark presence made him get many roles in
movies, including many non-lucha movies.
During his career as a wrestler he never wore a mask, because with that
face, he didn't need one! León was known as Frankenstein because of him
being so tall and having such a sinister face with those scary and huge
eyebrows. He played the stereotypical villain in many movies, though during
his career he also showed that he could comfortably play comedy roles. Even
with those looks, everybody agrees that in real life he was a humble and
polite man.
His first movie was in 1957, "Los Tigres del Ring" (Tigers of the Ring)
co-starring with Wolf Ruvinskis and other wrestlers like Black Shadow,
Murciélago Velázquez and Lobo Negro. He also was a stunt man for Estudios
Azteca (this is the way he got into the movie business), did theatre with Col.
Haro Oliva and appeared on TV in programs like "Naranjito".
On October of 1987, the Asociacion Nacional de Actores (National Actors
Alliance) gave him the "Virgina Fabregas" commemorative medal for his 25+
years of uninterrupted acting career. Back in 1959, he had joined the
association as an honorific member.
He was known as an active man, however a week ago he was sent in an
ambulance after he suffered a brain haemorrage (sp?). Complications arose
and his heart finally stopped, dying the 12th of September. His body was
given respects in the Gayoso Sullivan funerary and yesterday (14th) it was
taken to the Panteón Español (Spanish Pantheon) where his body was cremated.
He was survived by his wife Berta Terrazas and his son Joel León Terrazas.
May he rest in peace.
[Sources: La Aficion & Laura "Vampiro Fan" Lozano, IMDB.com]
- Jose Fernandez
- La Arena: http://www.highspots.com/arena/