Born: 9 March 1940 · Died: 24 October 1994 · Age at death: 54
How old was Raul Julia when he died?
Raul Julia died aged 54. He was born on 9 March 1940 and died on 24 October 1994.
Quick facts
Date of birth9 March 1940
Date of death24 October 1994
Age at death54
NationalityPuerto Rican
BirthplaceSan Juan, United States
Editor's Take:
Julia belongs among the actors who proved that range mattered more than a fixed image. He moved between Shakespeare, musical theatre and Hollywood comedy with equal conviction, and he credited Joseph Papp with finding him parts beyond stereotypical Latino roles. Romero showed his willingness to choose work for its political weight, even though the film was kept from open release in El Salvador. Away from the screen he gave time to the Hunger Project, young writers and Latino artists. His funeral in San Juan, attended by thousands, showed how much he meant to Puerto Rico.
Key Milestones
1964: Moves to New York City to work as a full-time actor
1972: Wins a Drama Desk Award and earns his first Tony nomination
1985: Stars opposite William Hurt in Kiss of the Spider Woman
1989: Plays Archbishop Óscar Romero in the film Romero
1994: Dies after a stroke; wins an Emmy posthumously for The Burning Season
Raúl Rafael Carlos Juliá y Arcelay (March 9, 1940 – October 24, 1994) was a Puerto Rican actor and humanitarian. He was best known for his intense and varied roles on stage and screen.
Born in San Juan, he moved to New York City in 1964 after the entertainer Orson Bean urged him to try his luck there.
He earned four Tony Award nominations as a musical lead and won a Drama Desk Award in 1972 for Two Gentlemen of Verona.
On screen he is remembered as Gomez Addams in two Addams Family films, and for Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Career highlights
1964Moves to New York: Arrives in a winter storm
1972Drama Desk win: First Tony nomination, Two Gentlemen of Verona
1985Kiss of the Spider Woman: Plays political prisoner Valentín
1992Man of La Mancha: Takes the title role on Broadway
1994The Burning Season: Posthumous Emmy and Golden Globe
Did you know?Before his film fame, he played a handyman named Rafael on Sesame Street, working in a repair shop alongside Emilio Delgado's character Luis.
