Benicio del Toro, the acclaimed actor, recently reflected on his childhood anxiety linked to his mother’s illness. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, he faced significant challenges early in life, especially after losing his mother at the age of nine.
Childhood Struggles and Family Background
Del Toro’s upbringing was marked by his mother, Fausta Genoveva Sánchez Rivera’s illness. This experience left a profound impact on his emotional state. He described himself as a restless and anxious child, attributing these traits to his mother’s ongoing health issues.
After her death, he and his older brother Gustavo grew up in a devoutly Catholic household. Del Toro attended the Academia del Perpetuo Socorro in Miramar, Puerto Rico, and recalled that this period was anything but easy.
- Age of mother’s death: 9
- Childhood home: Puerto Rico
- Education: Attended a Catholic school
Transition to the United States
At 13, Del Toro relocated to the United States after his father decided to move the family. They settled in Pennsylvania, where he continued his education at a strict Catholic boarding school. However, he encountered discrimination due to his Latino background, and language barriers further isolated him. This challenging environment contributed to his continued anxiety.
After high school, he initially pursued an economics degree at the University of California, San Diego. However, he soon realized that acting was his true passion.
Discovery of Acting
At just 19, Del Toro took his first theater class, which he described as a life-changing moment. Feeling that acting came naturally to him, he made the bold decision to leave college and move to New York. There, he honed his craft at the Circle in the Square Theatre before returning to California to study at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting.
Despite his father’s hopes for him to have a stable career, Del Toro kept his passion for film secret for many years. He noted that in Puerto Rico, there is limited recognition of a film career, and his father did not initially support his creative aspirations.
Oscar Recognition
In 2000, Del Toro won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Javier Rodríguez in “Traffic.” He expressed that the Oscar did not fundamentally change his life. Instead, it provided him with more opportunities but also increased responsibilities, particularly as a Latino actor.
- Award: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
- Winning role: Javier Rodríguez in “Traffic”
- Year: 2000
Family Impact and Recent Loss
Tragically, Del Toro’s father, Gustavo Adolfo del Toro Bermúdez, passed away in February 2019. He expressed deep sadness at his father’s unexpected death and highlighted the values his father instilled in him regarding family loyalty and friendship.
Reflecting on his life’s journey, Del Toro noted, “My life did not change with the Oscar. I still work the same way as I did before.” He emphasized the importance of storytelling in acting and encouraged young actors to embrace their unique narratives.
Benicio del Toro’s life and career illustrate the complex interplay of personal struggles, family values, and artistic passion. Despite early challenges, he transformed his experiences into powerful performances on screen.
