CDMX, Mexico-. Probably his best known role on television is that of Ignacio Suárez, the father of Betty in the North American version of the telenovela that has broken all records (greatest audience, greatest number of adaptations). But his career has been much broader and more versatile. The actor of Cuban origin, in addition to television, has gone through the cinema and the theater. He has also dedicated much of his talent to helping Latino youth in artistic projects. One of his passions is bringing Shakespeare’s works to children’s audiences.
Tony FlatAlthough he left Cuba very young with his parents to settle in California, he keeps in his memory the memories of the country where he was born.
“My best memories are of a hundred-hectare farm that my family had in Cienfuegos. Part of the year he was with the so-called guaijros, herding cattle and working on the ranch. I was always very hungry when I left the church. Then we would go to these open-door cafes where the food was cooked on griddles, these types of grills. It’s strange, but those are my memories of Cuba.”
Tony began his acting studies in the United States and later received acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.
“It was a wonderful moment for which I am very grateful. He taught me solid training, techniques and ways to play at all educational levels and to have more work as an actor ”, said in an interview
Hence his veneration for the most international of English writers. Another of his passions has been creating spaces for Latino actors and audiences. Tony hopes that the presence of those born in the other America in American art spaces will increase.
On the big screen, Plana has participated in some 70 films such as “officer and gentleman“,” Savior”, “Three friends“, “Goal” and “Lone Star”, among others; and the film director with whom he has repeated the most is Oliver Stone. But television has been the space where it has become most known.
If you’ve seen any series on this long list: Seinfeld, ER, The Golden Girls, CSI, 24, The West Wing, The Closer, Remington Steele, Monk, Ally McBeal, The Drew Carrey Show, Hill Street Blues, Murder, She Wrote , Nash Bridges, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, LA Law, 21 Jump Street, TJ Hooker and Barnaby Jones; he performed there.
With a solid career, Plana never stops feeling nostalgic for her country. For this reason, when he is offered to participate in projects related to Cuba, he accepts excitedly.
In addition to the telefilm “My Little Assassin”, about Castro’s lover, he has appeared in “The Lost City” (starring and directed by his friend Andy García), and the miniseries “Fidel”, in which he played General Batista. All these productions had a very diverse acceptance. Some applauded her, and from others there was only criticism
“You know, I really like all those movies. I mean, each one of them tried to be different, and I’m glad they did it, she said about it.
“Getting a movie about Cuba made by Hollywood is very difficult; look how long it took Andy for The Lost City. I remember that it was difficult for them to find writers who would confront Fidel. But I really liked that miniseries. I don’t know, maybe they exalted him too much, but what I liked about the script, and I thought it was clear in the finished piece, was that at the end you could see that Castro had come full circle and had become another Batista.”
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