Biography of Gael Garcia Bernal
Mexican actor, director, and producer Gael García Bernal is well-known for his contributions to Latin American and international cinematography. The second family name, Bernal, is maternal, while the first surname, García, is paternal in this Spanish name. Additionally, García Bernal’s parents, whose father directed theater and his mother was an actor got him interested in plays at a young age.
As well as his role as Rodrigo de Souza in the television series Mozart in the Jungle (2014–2018), he is well-known for his performances in the films Amores Perros (2000). Similarly, He also starred in the Disney+ special Werewolf by Night (2022). Additionally, In 2005, García Bernal’s portrayal of a young Che Guevara in The Motorcycle Diaries garnered him a nomination for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. In 2016, Mozart in the Jungle brought him his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy.
Early Life – Education and Birth Place
On November 30, 1978, Gael García Bernal was born into a family with strong artistic ties in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. In Addition, He began performing at a very young age and he starred in telenovelas for the majority of his teenage years. Diego Luna, a regular collaborator, and García Bernal were childhood pals in Mexico City. Subsequently, At the age of fourteen, García Bernal worked as a reading tutor for indigenous people in Mexico, frequently working with the Huichol people. At fifteen, he participated in nonviolent protests in favor of the 1994 Zapatista uprising.
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Subsequently, he started studying philosophy at Mexico’s main university, UNAM. After that, he relocated to London and was admitted as the first Mexican student at the Central School of Speech & Drama. In addition, Bernal pursued a master’s degree in media and communication at the European Graduate School. These Horizons expose him to various Acting Techniques and global perspectives on theatre and Film.
Struggle And Career Of Gael Garcia Bernal
In 1989, García Bernal made his television debut in a Mexican soap opera known as a telenovela. He made brief cinematic appearances as well.
“I never thought I was going to be acting in movies to begin with,” he said in a red carpet-interview. “It’s a great surprise, great opportunity, and a great privilege.”
Breakthrough Role Of Gael Garcia Bernal
Subsequently, Director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Amores Perros,” released in 2000, was García Bernal’s big break. He gained international recognition and received critical accolades for the movie. In Addition, his performance in the Alfonso Cuarón-directed film “Y Tu Mamá También” (2001) solidified his reputation as a rising star in the world of film. Similarly, García Bernal went on to play the ethically dubious Father Amaro in the Mexican box office blockbuster El crimen del Padre Amaro (2002) and the Argentine rebel Che Guevara in the 2002 TV miniseries Fidel.
Subsequently, In The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), García Bernal reprised his role as Che Guevara, adapting a journal the 23-year-old Guevara wrote about his travels in South America. In addition to smashing the box office record set by Y tu mamá three years earlier, the movie also earned Bernal a nomination for a 2005 BAFTA for Best Performance by an Actor.
2007-2016 (Notable Roles and Award-Winning Years)
Furthermore, He was chosen to star in the 2008 movie Blindness, which was based on José Saramago’s Nobel Prize-winning 1995 novel of the same name, which describes an epidemic of blindness in a community. Similarly, For the Nike campaign “Write the Future,” García Bernal made a cameo appearance in May 2010 as Cristiano Ronaldo in Ronaldo’s movie.
Moreover, for Hispanic viewers, García Bernal narrated Human Planet, which debuted on Discovery en Español on April 25, 2011, and on Discovery Channel in Latin America on May 12.
In Addition, He was chosen to play the title character, Rodrigo de Souza, in the comedy-drama television series Mozart in the Jungle, produced by Amazon Studios, in 2014. Because of the positive praises for his portrayal in the musical, he won a Golden Globe in 2016.
Additionally, Desierto (Mexico) and Neruda (Chile) are the two films in 2016 being nominate for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Significant Contributions As A Director
García Bernal made his feature film directing debut with “Déficit” (2007). Through the perspective of a young guy from an affluent family who hosts a party at his parent’s home, this movie examines class disparities in Mexico.
In Addition, “Chicuarotes” (2019) is García Bernal’s second feature-length film. “Chicuarotes” is the tale of two Mexican City youths who turn to crime out of desperation to escape their impoverished upbringing. Besides these movies, García Bernal has directed TV show episodes and worked on several other films.
Filmography
Title / Year | Role |
Amores Perros / 2000 | Octavio |
Y Tu Mama Tambien / 2001 | Julio Zapata |
The Crime of Father Amaro / 2002 | Father Amaro |
The Motorcycle Diaries / 2004 | Ernesta Che Guevara |
Bad Education / 2004 | Angel Andrade |
The Science of Sleep / 2006 | Stephane Miroux |
Babel / 2006 | Santiago |
Rudu y Cursi / 2008 | Tato Cursi Verdusco |
Letters to Juliet / 2010 | Victor |
Even the Rain / 2010 | Sebastian |
No / 2012 | Rene Saavedra |
Neruda / 2016 | Oscar Peluchonneau |
Salt and Fire / 2016 | Dr Fabio Cavani |
If You Saw His Heart / 2017 | Daniel |
The Kindergarten Teacher / 2018 | Simon |
Old / 2021 | Guy Cappa |
Cassandro / 2023 | Cassandro |
The Mother / 2023 | Hector Alvarez |
Another End / 2024 | Sal |
In Television Shows
Title / Year | Role |
Teresa / 1989 | Peluche |
Queen Of Swords / 2000 | Churi |
Soy Tu Fan / 2006 | Emilio |
Mozart in the Jungle / 2014-2018 | Rodrigo de Souza |
Station Eleven / 2021-2022 | Arthur Leander |
Werewolf by Night / 2022 | Jack Russell |
Awards And Achievements
Award Name / Category | Year / Results |
Ariel Award / Best Actor | 2001 / Won |
Marcello Mastroianni Award | 2001 / Nominated |
BAFTA Awards / Best Actor Leading Role in The Motorcycles Diaries | 2005 / Nominated |
San Diego Film Critics Society Award / Best Ensemble Performance | 2006 / Nominated |
Critics Choice Award / Best Acting Ensemble | 2007 / Nominated |
Screen Actors Guild Award / Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role | 2007 / Won |
Excellence Award | 2012 / Nominated |
Golden Globe Award / Best Actor in Television Series, Musical and Comedy | 2016 / Won |
Fenix Film Award / Best Acting Ensemble in Series | 2018 / Nominated |
Silver Ariel Award / Best Actor | 2019 / Nominated |
Daytime Emmy Award for / Outstanding Entertainment Program in Spanish | 2021 / Nominated |
Relationship – Love Life, Marriage, or Girlfriend
Subsequently, Bernal has been in notable relationships Including his First marriage to Dolores Fonzi. She is an Argentinian actress whom he met on the set of “Vidas Privadas” (2001). Additionally, they married in 2010 and their first Son (Lazaro Bernal) was born in 2011. In Addition, they both separated in 2014 due to personal issues.
Consequently, Gael started dating a Mexican Journalist and Writer Fernando Aragones in 2019, and their daughter (Libertad Bernal) was born in 2021, continuing their stable relationship until now.
Figure – Physical Measurements of Gael Garcia Bernal
Bernal’s bodily measurements include weight, height, waist, eye color, and shoe size.
Body type | Athletic Build |
Height | 5′7″ or 170 cm |
Weight | 70 kg or 154 lbs |
Physical Measurement | Unknown |
Eye Color | Green |
Hair Color | Dark Brown |
Dress Size | Unknown |
Shoe size | 4.5 (US) |
Age Of Gael Garcia Bernal
On November 30, 1978, Gael was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Additionally, he is 45 years old, similar to Emma Heming Willis in 2024.
Wiki Info
Some Wiki information about Gael Garcia Bernal is given below. Additionally, If you are interested in Some Mexican actor’s Biographies check out some of these Luis Gerardo Mendez and Diego Luna.
Real Name | Gael Garcia Bernal |
Nickname | Gael |
Date of Birth | November 30, 1978 |
Place of Birth | Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico |
Current Residence | Mexico City |
Age | 45 years |
Nationality | Mexican |
Religion | Catholic, Agnostic |
Parents | Mother: Patrica Bernal Father: Jose Angel Garcia |
Sibling Names | Brother: Dario Yazbek Bernal Sister: Tamara Yazbek |
Marital Status | Married |
Spouse Name | Dolores Fonzi |
Children | Son: Lazaro Daughter: Libertad |
Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
Occupation | Actor, Producer, Director |
Net Worth
Gael Garcia Bernal’s estimated net worth is $12 million. Interestingly, he earns similar to Isabel Lucas.
Social Media Accounts
Below are some of Gael Garcia Bernal’s social media accounts with followers.
What are some of Gael Garcia Bernal’s notable works?
His notable works include “ Amores Perros”, “The Motorcycle Diaries”, “Bable” and Coco, etc.
Has Gael Garcia Bernal won any Awards?
Yes, he has won Awards including “The BAFTA Award” and a “Golden Globe Award”.
What languages does Gael Garcia Bernal speak?
He speaks Spanish, English, and some Italian languages.
Does Gael Garcia have Children?
Yes, he has two children Lazaro and Libertad.