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Andy García (born April 12, 1956) is an American actor.He was born Andrés
Arturo García in Havana, Cuba, into a well-to-do family. He had a partially
formed Siamese twin, which appeared as a tennis ball-sized growth on his
shoulder. The twin was successfully removed. When Garcia was 5, the invasion
of Cuba by anti-Castro forces failed, and the family had to move to Miami,
Florida, where they did various types of work in order to survive.
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Over a period of several years, however, they built up a million-dollar
perfume company. García went to high school in Miami, where he played in the
basketball team. During his last year in high school, however, he became
seriously ill, which made him decide on acting as a future career.
Garcia began acting at Florida International University, but went soon
after to Hollywood. He started to perform in very short roles, and worked as
waiter and in a warehouse when he had no job in the film industry. His
chance arouse when he was offered a role in the first episode of the popular
TV series Hill Street Blues, as a gang member. Director Brian de Palma liked
his performance in the 1986 movie 8 Million Ways to Die and engaged him the
following year for The Untouchables, which made Garcia a popular Hollywood
actor. In 1989, Francis Ford Coppola was casting The Godfather Part III. The
character Vincent Corleone, the son of Sonny Corleone, was an exceptional
part which many actors wanted. Garcia was not only one of the few actors
capable of carrying the part, but he also bore an uncanny resemblance to
Robert De Niro, who played the role of young Vito Corleone, Vincent's
grandfather, in The Godfather Part II. The role thus went to Garcia, who
earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his
performance and became an internationally acclaimed star.
In the following years, Garcia has played in all kind of films, in which
he has always left the imprint of his talent. He has appeared also in
several TV films. He is, however, a man of principles and chooses his roles
according to them, more than for money reasons. He has therefore gained the
respect and admiration of directors, producers and colleagues, and the
sympathy of the audiences.
Garcia is proud of his Cuban heritage, which is present in his life. He
is a very private person. In 1982, he married María Victoria Lorido. The
couple have 4 children.
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