Cesar Julio Romero, Jr. was an American actor and activist, who was active in film, radio, and television for almost sixty years. His only work for Disney was the role of Esteban de la Cruz in Zorro and the recurring villain role of A.J. Arno in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Now You See Him, Now You Don't, and The Strongest Man in the World. He was also a guest for The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World. He was considered to voice Stromboli[citation needed] in Pinocchio and Rufus in The Rescuers.
Romero was born in New York City and grew up in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. He went to Bradley Beach Elementary School, Asbury Park High School, the Collegiate School, and the Riverdale Country Day School. After his parents lost their sugar-import business and suffered losses in the Wall Street crash of 1929, Romero's Hollywood earnings allowed him to support his large family, all of whom followed him to the American West Coast years later. Romero, who referred to himself as "a Latin from Manhattan". He later enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II.
His film credits included Cheating Cheaters, Public Enemy's Wife, Week-End in Havana, The Devil is a Woman, Springtime in the Rockies, Orchestra Wives, The Thin Man, Wee Willie Winkie, The Little Princess, Ocean's 11, 15 Maiden Lane, Frontier Marshal, Captain from Castile, Diamond Jim, Julia Misbehaves, Around the World in 80 Days, Pepe, Donovan's Reef, Madigan's Millions, Skidoo, and he played the Cisco Kid in six films.
He gained further recognition on the television series Batman as the Joker, for which he refused to shave off his mustache — which meant the Joker's white face makeup had to be smeared over the top of it. His other television appearances included Passport to Danger, The Red Skelton Hour, Wagon Train, Rawhide, Burke's Law, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Daniel Boone, Get Smart, Here's Lucy, Bewitched, Love, American Style, Nanny and the Professor, The Mod Squad, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Fantasy Island, Charlie's Angels, Hart to Hart, The Love Boat, Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Falcon Crest, and The Golden Girls.
Romero died from complications of a blood clot while being treated for bronchitis and pneumonia in Santa Monica, California. His body was cremated and the ashes were interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery.
Roles[]
(Zorro)
