Wissenswertes

At 21 years old, he is the youngest person ever to portray a villain in a James Bond movie: Dario in James Bond 007 - Lizenz zum Töten (1989).

Burned himself with cigarettes repeatedly for the elevator scene in Angst und Schrecken in Las Vegas (1998) because the real Oscar Zeta Acosta did as well. The shots of the burn were deleted.

Benicio and longtime friend Josh Brolin were once told by then Miramax Films executive Meryl Poster, that they were the worst auditioners she had ever witnessed.

Is one of five Oscar winners - for Best Supporting Actor in Traffic - Macht des Kartells (2000) - to play a character that spoke mostly in a foreign language. Most of his dialog was in Spanish. The other are Sophia Loren, Robert De Niro, Roberto Benigni and Marion Cotillard.

He badly injured his wrist during a stunt fight during the filming of William Friedkin's Die Stunde des Jägers (2003). He fell on his wrist as he dove for a knife and actor Tommy Lee Jones fell on top of him. He was injured so badly that he was out of work for months, even though the film was virtually completed. He required three hours of therapy daily and reportedly there is a question whether he will regain full use of the wrist.

Is the third Puerto Rican actor to receive an Academy Award. The other two were: Rita Moreno (West Side Story (1961)) and José Ferrer (Der letzte Musketier (1950)).

Had a cameo as a background character in Madonna's music video "La Isla Bonita" (1987).

His family urged him to become a lawyer because they felt there was no future in acting.

Became a father for the first time at age 44 when Kimberly Stewart gave birth to his daughter Delilah Genoveva Stewart Del Toro on August 21, 2011.

His mother, Fausta Sanchez Del Toro, died of hepatitis when he was age nine.

Good friends with Johnny Depp. They worked together in Angst und Schrecken in Las Vegas (1998).

Passionate about oil painting.

Reportedly turned down the role of Frida Kahlo's husband Diego Rivera in Frida (2002) because of the weight gain that would be required, despite that earlier, for Angst und Schrecken in Las Vegas (1998), he had gained 40 pounds for his character.

His father owned the property across the street from his childhood home and turned it into a full-size basketball court so he and his brother Gustavo could practice and play with their friends. The property has since been built into a condominium.

Is one of five Academy Award winning actors to play a James Bond villain. The other four are Christopher Walken, Javier Bardem, Christoph Waltz and Rami Malek. Benicio is the only one not to play a main villain and to play a villain before winning his Oscar.

Attended and graduated from Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania (1985). He was a basketball star and artist there, but not an actor.

He was sent to boarding school in Pennsylvania when he was age 13.

Studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting on a scholarship.

Because of his pay-or-play deal, he was paid $5 million for American Gangster (2007). The film was due to start shooting in October 2004 - with Denzel Washington co-starring - but Universal Pictures postponed it because of budgetary concerns. The film eventually got the green light in 2006, with Ridley Scott replacing Antoine Fuqua as director.

"Del Toro" means "of the bull" in Spanish.

He was considered for the role of John Harrison in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), but eventually declined due to monetary issues. The role went to Benedict Cumberbatch.

Has appeared with Josh Brolin in five films: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Inherent Vice - Natürliche Mängel (2014), Sicario (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Sicario 2 (2018).

Attended the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), but did not graduate.

Has one older brother, Gustavo Del Toro, who is a physician in the United States.

Received an honorary degree from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico for his impact on the cinema enterprise, during the celebration of the university's centennial. (März 2012)

Before moving to Pennsylvania, he was a student at Academia del Perpetuo Socorro in Miramar, Puerto Rico.

Had a long-term relationship with Chiara Mastroianni (1998-2001).

He was the front-runner to play Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I - Die dunkle Bedrohung (1999), which he turned down after the screenplay was rewritten and the role was considerably reduced. The role went to Ray Park.

Is a huge fan of the Fulham Football Club (English Premier League soccer club). Fellow fans include Elizabeth Hurley, Lily Allen, Pierce Brosnan, Hugh Grant, Hugh Laurie, Daniel Radcliffe, Andrew Johnston and the late Michael Jackson.

Received the 2003 Audience Award for Best Actor at the Venice International Film Festival for his role in 21 Gramm (2003).

Has worked with four directors who have won a Best Director Oscar: Steven Soderbergh, William Friedkin, Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Oliver Stone.

He was considered for the lead role of Eddie Kagle in Angel on My Shoulder (2005), a role that was played by Paul Muni in Angel on My Shoulder (1946). Producers not only wanted him for his amazing talent, but also for his close resemblance to Muni.

Has appeared with his ex-girlfriend, Valeria Golino, in three films: Manege frei für Pee Wee (1988), Indian Runner (1991) and Submission (1995). They had a long-term relationship from 1988 to 1992.

Currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

His maternal great-grandfather, Rafaél Rivera Esbri, was one of the heroes of the El Polvorin fire in Ponce in 1899. He was later Mayor of Ponce, from January 2, 1915 to January 2, 1917.

He was offered the role of Reinaldo Arenas in Bevor es Nacht wird (2000), which eventually went to Javier Bardem. He turned down the role to be in friend Christopher McQuarrie's Way of the Gun (2000).

He and his ex-girlfriend Claire Forlani have both appeared in films featuring Ryan Phillippe: Claire in Startup (2001) and Benicio in Way of the Gun (2000). They have also both appeared in films with Brad Pitt: Claire in Rendezvous mit Joe Black (1998) and Benicio in Snatch: Schweine und Diamanten (2000). Claire and Benicio acted together in Basquiat (1996).

No relation to filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, despite a popular misconception.

Mark Ruffalo was a fellow student at the Stella Adler Conservatory in Los Angeles.

Benny Dalmau's last name (his character in Basquiat (1996)) came from Raymond Dalmau, a Puerto Rican basketball player in the 1970s and early 1980s. Raymond Dalmau wore the shirt Benicio wears in the film when he was in the Puerto Rican National Selection.

Alumnus of Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

Son of Gustavo Del Toro and Fausta Sanchez Rivera (both lawyers).

Neighbors with Rade Serbedzija.

Cousin of Joshue Del Toro and Rebeca.

Vocalist Macy Gray is one of his huge fans. They were born the same year.