José Mojica Marins(1936-2020)
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
José Mojica Marins was born on March 13, 1936 in San Paulo, Brazil, to
a family of simple means. José's love of movies began at an early age.
He spent a great deal of his time with his family at the local movie
house, which his father helped manage. By the time he was eighteen, he
had completed over eighty films. From his earliest years, his interest
has been in horror movies or ones that offer shocking social
commentary.
When José was offered the lead role of "Coffin Joe" in Brazil's first
full-length horror movie "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul", the
character quickly became his trademark. His look included a black top
hat, suit and cape. Initially, he wore long artificial nails, but for
over thirty years, grew his own nails to grotesque lengths. He finally
cut his famous nails in 1998.
Interestingly, the first two "Coffin Joe" movies from the 1960s, "At
Midnight I'll Take Your Soul" and "This Night I'll Possess Your
Corpse", are now officially part of a trilogy. José completed filming
of the third "Coffin Joe" film in December, 2006, more than forty years
after the release of the first film in the series. Fans will be pleased
to know that this new movie, "The Embodiment of Evil" is expected to be
released in the summer of 2008.
Those who would like some interesting insights into José Mojica Marins'
unique world may wish to view the documentary of his life. The movie is
called "Coffin Joe: The Strange World of José Mojica Marins" and was
produced in 2001.
a family of simple means. José's love of movies began at an early age.
He spent a great deal of his time with his family at the local movie
house, which his father helped manage. By the time he was eighteen, he
had completed over eighty films. From his earliest years, his interest
has been in horror movies or ones that offer shocking social
commentary.
When José was offered the lead role of "Coffin Joe" in Brazil's first
full-length horror movie "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul", the
character quickly became his trademark. His look included a black top
hat, suit and cape. Initially, he wore long artificial nails, but for
over thirty years, grew his own nails to grotesque lengths. He finally
cut his famous nails in 1998.
Interestingly, the first two "Coffin Joe" movies from the 1960s, "At
Midnight I'll Take Your Soul" and "This Night I'll Possess Your
Corpse", are now officially part of a trilogy. José completed filming
of the third "Coffin Joe" film in December, 2006, more than forty years
after the release of the first film in the series. Fans will be pleased
to know that this new movie, "The Embodiment of Evil" is expected to be
released in the summer of 2008.
Those who would like some interesting insights into José Mojica Marins'
unique world may wish to view the documentary of his life. The movie is
called "Coffin Joe: The Strange World of José Mojica Marins" and was
produced in 2001.