Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~Francisco Ardura

 [These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Francisco Ardura Rojo was born in Madrid, Spain in 1933. He was a Spanish character actor and extra. While a soldier in 1954 and stationed in Larache he became a horseman in a Victor Mature movie which was filming in the area. "I liked it so much, that I decided to hang up the pencil, I was a draftsman, because I didn't see myself glued to a table all my life, and I decided to work in the cinema." His first work was as a stuntman and rider, then as a businessman, supplying horses, carriages and props. He also worked as a voice dubber supplying the the Spanish voice for such actors as Burt Lancaster and Terence Hill. 

In 1972 he founded Animales y Carruajes, supplying the studios with animals and wagons and saddles. Paco's supplied horses, carriages and props to numerous films from "Ben Hur" to "Gladiator" and "Braveheart". He's worked with such directors as David Lynch and Steven Spielberg, Sergio Leone, Enzo Castellari and Anthony Mann.

His credited film career consisted of three films: “Relevo para un pistolero” in 1963 where he was credited as as Francisco Orduras; “Shoot to Kill” in 1963 where he played a saloon patron and then in 1968 he played a Villista in “Villa Rides”.

*[The comment left below by Abel states, "Ardura is, nothing more and nothing less than the owner of decorated western (set) of Tabernas Almeria called Texas Hollywood also called Fort Bravo"]

I thank Abel as it allowed me to supply additional information on Paco and his significant contribution to the Spaghetti western genre.

ARDURA, Francsico (aka Francisco Orduras) [1933, Madrid, Madrid, Spain-    ] – stuntman, film, voice actor, married to Maria Ray (1998-    ) father of Lorena Ardura, founded Animales y Carruajes [1972], owner of Texas Hollywood (Fort Bravo) film studio, awarded Lifetime Acheivement Award by the Spanish Film Academy [2015].

Relevo para un pistolero – 1963 [as Francisco Orduras]

Shoot to Kill – 1963 (saloon patron)

Villa Rides – 1968 (Villista)

Spanish Western - 2015 [himself]

Eso que Falta (podcast interview) - 2021 [himself]