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A popular theater and film actor, Paco Martínez Soria, who passed away 44 years ago, has recently had new curiosities and anecdotes revealed about his life.
Born in 1902 in the town of Tarazona, Zaragoza, Martínez Soria lived an eventful life with many surprises. Aragón Television recently dedicated a program to honor his figure and artistic career, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his life. Despite his image, he was a boxer and a makeup artist, his family faced hardship during the postwar period, and he was emotionally affected by bad reviews.
Presented by Aragonese actress Itziar Miranda, the program included testimonials from Eugenia Martínez-Soria Ramos, his daughter, highlighting his generosity and endearing personality. In Tarazona, where Martínez Soria grew up, there is a bust of him and a small museum displaying his belongings.
Known for his love of cycling, football, and boxing, Martínez Soria was a fan of Real Zaragoza, Espanyol de Barcelona, and Tarazona. He was an honorary member of the Tarazona club. Despite being an actor, he was involved in boxing and was even awarded a commemorative medal by the Catalan Boxing Federation.
Living in Barcelona from a young age, Martínez Soria developed a Catalan accent. He faced financial struggles early in life when his family’s hardware business failed. Known for his frugality, Martínez Soria wore glasses due to severe astigmatism and was unable to serve in the military.
His daughter revealed that Martínez Soria’s acting career began when he replaced an actor last minute and never looked back. His first medium-length film in 1937 featured the character “Package, the number one public photographer,” which became his signature role.
Despite being known for his frugality, Martínez-Soria was described as generous and endearing by those who knew him. His films, especially “neighborhood cinema,” still attract large audiences when shown on television. His dedication to the theater and cinema saw him invest everything back into his theater, even when facing bankruptcy.
Some of his memorable films include “El abuelo made in Spain,” “Hay que educar a papá,” “La estanquera de Vallecas,” and “Don Erre que Erre.” Martínez Soria’s dedication to representing real-life characters in his roles was evident, as he drew inspiration from people he encountered, such as Uncle Cleto from Tarazona.
The program also featured testimonials from actors, producers, and others who remembered Martínez Soria fondly. His legacy lives on through his contributions to both theater and cinema, which continue to captivate audiences today.
