Cesar Julio Romero Jr. (February 15, 1907 – January 1, 1994) was an American actor of Spanish and Cuban descent.
Many might know him best for his role as the Joker in the campy Batman series of The '60s. However, he began his career in films during The Golden Age of Hollywood. Being at least 6'3", he was often cast as a Tall, Dark, and Handsome Latin Lover (even being nicknamed "The Latin from Manhattan") and had many fangirls. He was also a dancer, a singer, and a comedian, but his film roles were varied from westerns to comedies, to dramas. He had a reputation in Hollywood as a "confirmed bachelor", often serving as the go-to male companion for many actresses at movie premieres, and revealed two years before his death that he was gay; apparently, it was an open secret in Hollywood, according to autobiographies.
Another thing many might know Romero for was his mustache, which he had throughout his screen career. He was so protective of it that, when he played the Joker on Batman, his makeup had to be painted over his moustache because he refused to shave it. Speaking of the Joker, Romero was the tallest and oldest actor to play the role on film (first doing so at the age of fifty-nine).
Romero passed away on New Year's Day 1994 at age 86 from pneumonia and complications from blood clotting while being treated for bronchitis.
Selected filmography:
- The Thin Man (1934)
- Rendezvous (1935)
- Cardinal Richelieu (1935)
- Love Before Breakfast (1936)
- Wee Willie Winkie (1937)
- The Little Princess (1939)
- Captain from Castile (1947)
- That Lady in Ermine (1948)
- Julia Misbehaves (1948)
- Lost Continent (1951)
- Vera Cruz (1954)
- Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
- Zorro (1957)
- The Young Land (1959)
- Ocean's 11 (1960)
- If a Man Answers (1962)
- Donovan's Reef (1963)
- Marriage on the Rocks (1965)
- Batman (1966-68) and the 1966 movie
- Skidoo (1968)
- The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
- Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)
- The Strongest Man in the World (1975)
- We Think the World Is Round (1984)
- Lust in the Dust (1985)
Tropes associated with Cesar Romero:
- Dapper Pencil Mustache: He was so proud of his mustache that producers were contractually prohibited from shaving it without his permission.
- Latin Lover: With his Spanish and Cuban heritage and his Tall, Dark, and Handsome visage, it comes as no surprise that he was popular in such roles.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome: He stood at a height of 6'3", had dark brown hair and was regarded as one of Hollywood's most handsome men.