Copyright © Jan Pippins 2012. All rights reserved. Made By Serif.
“Henry Darrow:Lightning in the Bottle”
Film buffs will enjoy this revealing biography about a phenomenal man, his profession and how events in America during the second half of the twentieth century affected careers, network television and present day Latino actors in Hollywood.”
“...delightful biography…”
“This book tells the interesting, never dull life of Henry Darrow (Manolito from High Chaparral) … You'll love him for his determination, his faults and his charm.” (Dreemcp, Barnes & Noble reader review)
“An honest look at the entertainment industry through the eyes of a most incredible, charming actor. Wonderful read.” (Sue Thurman, Wild West News)
“...Darrow and Pippins skillfully intersperse the historical context with thoughtful analyses and often light-hearted vignettes…Darrow’s contemplation of an Anglo name change, for example, is managed amusingly, however the deeper subject of ethnic identity is treated with focused consideration…” (Kirkus Reviews)
“Whether you’re a fan of ‘The High Chaparral’, ‘Zorro’, ‘Santa Barbara’....or just looking for an interesting story, it’s in this book. Check it out!” (Brian Zemrak, On Screen & Beyond)
“If you are a fan of westerns or just looking for some good entertainment pick this one up and settle into the saddle for a nice pleasant ride.” (Reader review, BearManorMedia.com)
“I couldn’t put it down. Unlike some biographies that read like instruction manuals, this one is filled with heart and wonderfully written. Truly inspirational.” (Reader review, Amazon.com)
Henry Darrow, Hollywood Pioneer
About
HENRY DARROW
Legendary Actor
HENRY DARROW received the prestigious Ricardo Montalbán Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) gala ALMA Awards on September 16, 2012 in Pasadena, California. The star-studded packed house at the Pasadena Civic Center gave Darrow a standing ovation. Born Enrique Tomás Delgado in New York City during the depths of the Great Depression, Darrow overcame personal hardship, life-threatening illness and prejudice to carve out an acting career spanning over fifty years and earn the respect of his colleagues.
His Break-out Role
In a time when most TV and film Latinos were stereotyped as comic foils or bandidos, Darrow blazed new trail as the sexy, complex vaquero Manolito Montoya in the landmark western The High Chaparral (1967-1971). As Manolito, he was the first Latino star in a dramatic series. He was also the first actor of Puerto Rican descent to star in a network series. The role of Manolito catapulted him to international fame. Of Manolito, Darrow said, “I am happy to have given Latin Americans a hero they can identify with.”
Lifelong Activist
In 1970, he put his career on the line and joined Ricardo Montalbán and others to form NOSOTROS, the nation’s first Latino entertainment and arts advocacy organization. As a leader in NOSOTROS, Darrow encouraged the networks to create realistic portrayals of Latinos on screen and to hire more Latinos both in front of the cameras and on production crews. A strong promoter for his beloved Puerto Rico, he was instrumental in establishing a branch of the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) in Puerto Rico.
Award Winning Character Actor
Darrow’s monumental body of work encompasses continued firsts. For his portrayal of suave Rafael Castillo in the daytime drama Santa Barbara, he received an Emmy Award; he was the first Latino to be so honored. He was also the first Latino to portray Zorro and starred in a record-breaking three TV Zorro series – twice as Zorro and once as the father of Zorro. He was recently featured on the PBS series Pioneers in Television.
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