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ANTHONY QUINN
April 21, 1915
Chihuahua, Mexico
Deceased: June 3, 2001
Born into an impoverished environment in Mexico, Anthony Quinn's family moved to East L.A. in
search of work and a better quality of life. Quinn spent his boyhood years helping
support his family by doing odd jobs such as: a butcher, boxer, street corner
preacher, and a slaughterhouse worker. It was during those long hours of back-breaking work
that he dreamed of becoming Napolean, Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Martin Luther, and Jack Dempsey
all rolled into one.
Living only five miles from Hollywood, the six-foot Quinn used to draw portraits of stars, and
would then send them to the star in the hopes of making a few dollars.
Anthony Quinn's next artistic venture and success came at age eleven when he won a California state-wide sculpture competition for his
entry of Abraham Lincoln. A few years later, Anthony was granted a scholarship to study architecture with Frank Lloyd
Wright. They developed a close personal relationship, linked by the common desire to leave
their mark on society. In fact, it was Wright who paid for the young Quinn to have surgery
to correct a speech impediment. It was also Wright who suggested that Quinn take acting
lessons in order to help re-train his tongue. Wright recalled years later, having seen the young
Quinn perform on stage, that he knew Anthony would never return to architecture again.
Quinn has fathered thirteen children, and has been married several times. He was last married
to Kathy Benvin.
Photo © Unknown
Bio info taken from several sources. Please let us know of any errors.
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