Emilio "El Indio" Fernández Romo was born on March 26, 1904, in Sabinas Coahuila, Mexico. He was a Mexican film director, actor and screenwriter. Fernandez was one of the most prolific film directors of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema in the 1940s and 1950s. He is best known for his work as director of the film “María Candelaria” (1944), which won the Palme d'Or award at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival. As an actor, he worked in numerous film productions in Mexico and in Hollywood. He was the brother of actor Fernando Fernandez [1916-1999] and the father of the Mexican actor Jaime Fernández [1927-2005].
Fernández was the son of a revolutionary general, while his mother was a descendant of Kickapoo natives. From his parents, he inherited Mexican customs and indigenous beliefs. When he was a teenager, a fatal event forced him to flee his home and enlist in the ranks of the Mexican Revolution. Later, he entered the Mexican Military Academy (where in 1954, he gained the rank of colonel). In 1923, he took part in the uprising of Adolfo de la Huerta against the government of Álvaro Obregón, but this insurrection failed and he was sent to prison. He escaped and left Mexico to go into exile, first in Texas, then in Chicago, and later in Los Angeles. There he earned his living as a laundry employee, bartender, longshoreman, press assistant and finally as a stonemason for Hollywood studio construction, a circumstance that favored his foray into film as an extra and as a double for stars like Douglas Fairbanks.
He returned to Mexico in 1933, thanks to an amnesty granted by the government, with the decision to continue his film career, but during the first year he made a living as a boxer, a diver in Acapulco, a baker and an aviator. In 1934, he appeared as a bandolero in the film “Cruz Diablo”, directed by Fernando de Fuentes. His looks also landed him a starring role playing a native in “Janitzio” by Carlos Navarro.
Fernández directed 43 films between 1942 and 1979. Starting with “Cielito Lindo” (1936), he was recognized as a screenwriter on 40 films. He also worked as a second unit director on American films made in Mexico, including “The Magnificent Seven” (1960). As an actor he’s appeared 90 films and TV series and is probably best remembered as Mapache in 1969’s “The Wild Bunch directed by Sam Peckinpah.
Fernandez was married multiple times and several at the same time. He died of a heart attack in Mexico City on August 6, 1986, at the age of 82.
Emilio appeared in three Euro-westerns: “Return of the Seven”1966 as Lorca, “Guns for San Sebastian” in 1967 and “Ahora mis pistolas hablan” in 1982 as the old man.
FERNANDEZ, Emilio (aka Emilio Fernández,‘Indio’ Fernández) (Emilio Fernández Romo) [3/26/1904, Sabinas, Coahuila,
Mexico, 8/6/1986, Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico (heart attack)] –
producer, director, assistant director, writer, film, TV actor, brother of
singer, director, writer, actor Fernando Fernández [1916-1999], actor Jaime
Fernández [1927-2005], married to Gladys Fernandez [1925-19??] (1941-1944),
father of adopted writer, playwright Adela Fernández y Fernández [1942-2013],
married to actress, singer Columba Domínguez (Columba Domínguez Adalid)
[1929-2014] (1947-1952) father of Jacaranda Fernández [1953-1978], married to
Gloria De Valois Cabiedes [1932-deceased] (1956-19??) father of Xochitl
Fernandez De Valois [195?- ], married
to Beatriz Castaneda (1964–1970), awarded
Return of the Seven
– 1966 (Lorca)
Guns for
Ahora mis pistolas
hablan – 1982 (old man)
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