Antonio Aguilar

Antonio Aguilar Barraza(17 May 1919 – 19 June 2007) was a Mexicansinger,songwriter,film actor,film producer, andscreenwriter. During his career, he recorded over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies,and participated in more than 120 films.He was given the honorific nickname "El Charro de México" (The Horseman of Mexico) because he is credited with popularizingla charrería, considered to have originated in Mexico, to international audiences.To this day he has been the only Hispanic artist to sell out theMadison Square GardenofNew York Cityfor six consecutive nights in 1997. Aguilar was best known for singing traditional Mexican folk songs (rancheras) and ballads (corridos) as well for his roles in films concerning rural themes, such as theMexican Revolution. He won theLatin ACE Award for Best Actorfor his portrayal ofEmiliano Zapatain the1970 epic film of the same name.He also portrayedPancho Villatwice in film. In 1997, Aguilar was awarded theSpecial Golden Arielfor his "invaluable contribution and spreading of Mexican cinema". With his second wife, popular singer and actressFlor Silvestre, he had two sons, Antonio Aguilar Jr. andPepe Aguilar, who also became singers and actors. His family is known collectively as "La Dinastía Aguilar" (The Aguilar Dynasty).