Gabriel Figueroa

Biography

Date of Birth 24 April 1907, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Date of Death 27 April 1997, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico (stroke following heart surgery) Birth Name Gabriel Figueroa Mateos Trivia In a discussion with Orson Welles and William Alland, he told them about a legend regarding a humanoid creature that was supposed to exist in South America. When William Alland became a producer, he turned this into Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). Became an orphan at the age of 7. Studied the violin before becoming a still photographer. Trained in cinematography under Gregg Toland, during a spell in Hollywood in 1936. In the 1940's, formed a stock company with Emilio Fernandez, Dolores Del Rio, Pedro Armendariz and Maria Felix, making romantic or action films of an idealised rural Mexico. Figueroa was noted for his striking landscapes and threatening skies. He frequently visited painter's studios to study different notions of lighting and perspective. Black-listed in Hollywood during the McCarthy era. After filming 'The Fugitive', he was unable to accept a three-year contract from director John Ford, since he was denied an entry visa into the U.S..