FORGOTTEN FILMS: TV TRANSITION

Though typically overshadowed by Hollywood's A-list, there were respectable performances by numerous actors and actresses who never became major film stars. A common career shift was to the new medium of television. These periodic posts offer insight into their transition.

Rudolpho Acosta Pérez (1920–1974)

Though born in a small disputed area in Mexico with Texas, the section of land became American soil and character actor, Rudolpho Acosta, officially became an American citizen. He delivered dialogue with conviction, whether being charming or pointedly ruthless, and it was best put to use on the small screen. But with his strong facial features, he achieved his greatest success primarily as a Mexican bandit, Indian warrior or outlaw in western films in the US. There were numerous Spanish language films to his early credits—famously as a romantic idol—along with some English language films in the early Fifties. His first credited American role was in One Way Street, 1950, then a minor role in the forgettable The Bullfighter and The Lady, 1951, starring the “logical” choice for a Matador, Robert Stack. He was among the cast for Jeff Chandler’s Yankee Buccaneer, 1952. Acosta never let a casting call go unanswered during this period.

Acosta was soon seen on the Warner Brothers lot for Sugarfoot, Bronco and Maverick. His three indelible performances on Cheyenne, 1958-61, are of particular note for inhabiting his characters so authentically. During the same time frame there was Disney's Zorro and CBS's Have Gun – Will Travel. He was given two roles in the modern-day setting of The Sheriff of Cochise/U.S. Marshal series, 1956 and 1959. Sprinkled among the Westerns were roles on The Farmer’s Daughter, 1964, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., 1965 and The Fugitive, 1966. Acosta did not get a recurring role until the first two seasons of The High Chaparral, 1967. His tenure was short—being dropped from the series—unfortunately due to his abuse of alcohol consumption. 

He finished his career guest-starring in Cade’s County in 1971, a one-season hope that Glenn Ford might generate an audience. He worked again with David Janssen on his next series, O’Hara, U.S. Treasury, 1971, and again with Richard Boone in his final series, Hec Ramsey, 1972. His final roles were his two appearances on Ironside, 1971 and 1973, as a police chief and police sergeant. But who knew? He was nearly invisible throughout his career as a supporting player. Acosta never left Spanish language films entirely, but American television benefited his career most as his characters became more intimate with the viewer. I cannot attest to his Mexican films, but he excelled in his mature years in America. Acosta died young at fifty-four of liver cancer.