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IMDbPro
José Mojica Marins

Biography

José Mojica Marins

Edit

Overview

  • Born
    March 13, 1936 · São Paulo, Brazil
  • Died
    February 19, 2020 · São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (bronchopneumonia)
  • Nickname
    • Zé do Caixão
  • Height
    5′ 6½″ (1.69 m)

Biography

    • José Mojica Marins was born on March 13, 1936 in San Paulo, Brazil, to a family of simple means. José's love of movies began at an early age. He spent a great deal of his time with his family at the local movie house, which his father helped manage. By the time he was eighteen, he had completed over eighty films. From his earliest years, his interest has been in horror movies or ones that offer shocking social commentary.

      When José was offered the lead role of "Coffin Joe" in Brazil's first full-length horror movie "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul", the character quickly became his trademark. His look included a black top hat, suit and cape. Initially, he wore long artificial nails, but for over thirty years, grew his own nails to grotesque lengths. He finally cut his famous nails in 1998.

      Interestingly, the first two "Coffin Joe" movies from the 1960s, "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul" and "This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse", are now officially part of a trilogy. José completed filming of the third "Coffin Joe" film in December, 2006, more than forty years after the release of the first film in the series. Fans will be pleased to know that this new movie, "The Embodiment of Evil" is expected to be released in the summer of 2008.

      Those who would like some interesting insights into José Mojica Marins' unique world may wish to view the documentary of his life. The movie is called "Coffin Joe: The Strange World of José Mojica Marins" and was produced in 2001.
      - IMDb mini biography by: IrishLass240

Family

  • Spouse
      Leny Dark(? - February 19, 2020) (his death)

Trademarks

  • Always made horror movies or spoofs and comedies where he plays sinister characters
  • Dark, villanous characters
  • Long fingernails

Trivia

  • Born on Friday the 13th.
  • The long fingernails he sports as Coffin Joe are his own, not prosthetics.
  • Is informally considered the "Brazilian Dario Argento".
  • Father of Crounel Marins Liz Marins and Merisol Marins.

Quotes

  • I don't care what people think about me or my character. I don't try to be nice. My only goal is to motivate the public to watch my movies. I don't mind being a scapegoat for people's fear and anger. If everyone hated me as a person but still enjoyed my pictures, I would be a happy man.
  • The human being suffers from a split personality. Here, among friends, in society, man is one thing. Alone, delivered by his thoughts and dreams, man is something completely different. It is this world that I try to show in my movies.

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