Who Are Those Singers & Musicians? ~ Tony Leblanc

 

Tony Leblanc was born Ignacio Fernández Sánchez Leblanc on May 7, 1922, in Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid, Spain. He was born on the grounds of the Museo del Prado at Madrid, where his family lived because of his father's employment as the museum's janitor.

In his teens he was fond of boxing, becoming champion of the lightweight Castilla "amateur", while participating in amateur theatre. He was also a soccer player in the Third Division of Real Club Deportivo Carabanchel in which he scored 23 goals, making him the top scorer of the Third Division.

Leblanc made his professional acting debut in 1944 with Celia Gámez's company. His earliest appearances on film were in “Eugenia de Montijo” (1944), “Los últimos de Filipinas” (1945, Antonio Román), and “Por el gran premio” (1946, directed by Pierre-Antoine Caron). His greatest prominence was from about 1955 to 1965, in popular titles of Spanish cinema of the era such as “El Tigre de Chamberí” (1957, Pedro Luis Ramírez), “Muchachas de azul” (1957), “Los tramposos” (1959, both by Pedro Lazaga), “Las chicas de la Cruz Roja” (1960, by Rafael J. Salvia), “Tres de la Cruz Roja” (1961, by Fernando Palacios) and “Historias de la television” (1964, by José Luis Sáenz de Heredia). During this decade, Leblanc formed an artistic partnership with Concha Velasco which was to endure for many years. He was also involved in a comedy trio with José Luis Ozores and Manolo Gómez Bur. In this way, he established his popularity working mainly in comedy roles, on both film and stage. Leblanc also found success in theatre.

A true pioneer of television in Spain in the 1950s and 1960s, Leblanc combined his cinema career with comedy specials, various comedic performances and a few programmes by Televisión Española.

Leblanc decided to retire from cinema in 1975 after his starring role in “Tres suecas para tres Rodríguez”. On 6 May 1983, he was involved in a serious road accident that would truncate his theatrical career. The accident left him temporarily incapacitated. He would return to television 15 years later. From 2001 to 2008, Tony Leblanc appeared in Televisión Española's series ‘Cuéntame cómo pasó’ for 181 episodes, in the supporting role of Cervan, an old and charming newsagent. In April 2007, he collaborated with Santiago Segura in the comedy program ‘Sabías a lo que venías’.

On 10 May 2008, Leblanc received a tribute by the municipality of Villaviciosa de Odón, (Madrid), where he lived for 30 years. He died in Villaviciosa de Odón, on 24 November 2012, aged 90, from a heart attack.

LEBLANC, Tony (Ignacio Fernández Sánchez Leblanc) [5/7/1922, Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid, Spain - 11/24/2012, Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid, Spain (heart attack)] – producer, director, author, writer, composer, actor, singer married to Isabel Páez de la Torre [1932-2017] (1955-2012) father of father of actor Tony Leblanc Jr., Maria Isabel Leblanc, Ignazio Leblanc, Mari Carmen Leblanc, Mercedes Leblanc, actress Silvia Leblanc [1966-    ], Marta Leblanc.

Torrejón City – 1962 [sings “Torrejón City”]