Mexican Wrestler and Film Actor. Under his professional wrestling name as "El Santo" Huerta was a major figure in the Mexican professional wrestling circuit and later in the Mexican cinema of the 1960s and 1970s. The fifth of seven children, his family moved to Mexico City in the 1920s where in his teen-age years he became interested in wrestling. Rodolfo's first wrestling appearance was said to have been at Arena Peralvillo Cozumel in June 1934 and he soon became an active figure on the wrestling circuit under a variety of names. In 1942 his manager formed a team of masked wrestlers in which Huerta was first billed under the name "El Santo" (the Saint). In the 1950s, a Mexican artist seized upon Santo's popularity and began a comic book depicting Santo fighting both real and supernatural villains. The comic book's popularity ran for over 35 years and ten years later, provided the theme for his films. He began starring in low budget films in 1961 and his Mexican fans flocked to see him in his role as a crime fighting super hero on the silver screen. Over the next three decades Santo starred in dozens of films, and officially retired from wrestling and acting in 1982. After nearly fifty years of never being seen in public without his mask Santo appeared on a Mexican TV talk show in January of 1984 and without warning, he unmasked and revealed his face. He passed away from a heart attack less than a week later and his funeral was attended by thousands of his fans. "El Santo" was laid to rest wearing his silver mask.
Mexican Wrestler and Film Actor. Under his professional wrestling name as "El Santo" Huerta was a major figure in the Mexican professional wrestling circuit and later in the Mexican cinema of the 1960s and 1970s. The fifth of seven children, his family moved to Mexico City in the 1920s where in his teen-age years he became interested in wrestling. Rodolfo's first wrestling appearance was said to have been at Arena Peralvillo Cozumel in June 1934 and he soon became an active figure on the wrestling circuit under a variety of names. In 1942 his manager formed a team of masked wrestlers in which Huerta was first billed under the name "El Santo" (the Saint). In the 1950s, a Mexican artist seized upon Santo's popularity and began a comic book depicting Santo fighting both real and supernatural villains. The comic book's popularity ran for over 35 years and ten years later, provided the theme for his films. He began starring in low budget films in 1961 and his Mexican fans flocked to see him in his role as a crime fighting super hero on the silver screen. Over the next three decades Santo starred in dozens of films, and officially retired from wrestling and acting in 1982. After nearly fifty years of never being seen in public without his mask Santo appeared on a Mexican TV talk show in January of 1984 and without warning, he unmasked and revealed his face. He passed away from a heart attack less than a week later and his funeral was attended by thousands of his fans. "El Santo" was laid to rest wearing his silver mask.
Bio by: Carl W. McBrayer
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