Carlos Iglesias Serrano (born 15 July 1955) is a Spanish actor and filmmaker. From 1998 to 2001, he starred as Benito in the comedy television series Manos a la obra, extremely popular for Spanish audiences throughout its broadcasting run.[1][2]

Carlos Iglesias
(2019)
Born
Carlos Iglesias Serrano

(1955-07-15) 15 July 1955 (age 69)
Madrid, Spain
Alma materRESAD
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film director
  • screenwriter

Biography

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Iglesias attending a photocall at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Carlos Iglesias Serrano was born on 15 July 1955 in Madrid,[3][4] living for a time with his family in Quintanar de la Orden.[2] From 1960 to 1966, he lived in Switzerland, where his parents had immigrated.[3] After returning to Spain, and living in Alicante and Madrid, he graduated from the RESAD.[5][2]

He earned early public recognition in the 1990s for his appearances as 'Pepelu' in the late-night show Esta noche cruzamos el Mississippi [es].[2][6]

He earned further recognition for his performance in Antena 3 comedy television series Manos a la obra (1998–2001), a massive audience hit that broke the 6 million viewers per episode mark,[6] starring in a tandem alongside Ángel de Andrés, respectively portraying Benito Lopera and Manolo Jumilla, two clumsy and lazy bricklayers.[7] The broadcasting run from 1998 to 2001 comprised 6 seasons and about 130 episodes.[8]

Iglesias starred as Sancho Panza in Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón's 2002 film Don Quixote, Knight Errant,[9] earning a nomination to the Goya Award for Best New Actor for his performance.[10]

He returned as Benito alongside Ángel de Andrés in Manolo y Benito Corporeision [es] (2006–2007), a revival of the popular duo that proved to be an audience failure owing to the worn-out plots, and was cancelled after 1 season of 12 episodes.[11]

Iglesias made his feature film directorial debut with the 2006 immigration comedy-drama Crossing the Border (Un Franco, 14 pesetas), in which he also starred and took over writing duties.[12] His second feature was Inspansi (¡Españoles!), whose plot also related to the Spanish diaspora.[13] He also directed the sequel to Crossing the Border, 2 Francos, 40 pesetas, released in 2014.[14]

Film director

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Accolades

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2003 17th Goya Awards Best New Actor Don Quixote, Knight Errant Nominated [10]
2007 21st Goya Awards Best New Director Crossing Borders Nominated [16]
2015 24th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Film Actor in a Leading Role 2 Francos, 40 pesetas Nominated [17][18]

References

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  1. ^ Peña, Maxi de la (28 February 2009). "«Los éxitos en la televisión me han dado la posibilidad de hacer el cine que quiero»". El Diario Montañés.
  2. ^ a b c d "Qué fue de Carlos Iglesias, el «Pepelu» en el Mississippi y Benito en Manos a la obra". Qué!. 28 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b Couceiro, Belén (25 August 2006). ""Vivir en Suiza nos abrió los ojos"". Swissinfo.ch.
  4. ^ "Cumpleaños 15-07-2021". El Correo Gallego. 15 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Carlos Iglesias rueda en Suiza "Ispansi!" sobre el exilio y la postguerra". La Información. 28 January 2010.
  6. ^ a b "El actor y director Carlos Iglesias mantendrá una charla con jóvenes en Quintanar". En Castilla-La Mancha. 16 December 2021.
  7. ^ Lázaro, Rocío (9 January 2018). "Los mejores momentos que nos hicieron pasar Manolo y Benito en 'Manos a la obra'". Bekia.
  8. ^ García, Víctor Eduardo (2 December 2020). "Manos a la obra: ¿Qué fue de los protagonistas de la serie?". Qué!.
  9. ^ Bravo, Francisca (16 April 2017). "Carlos Iglesias: "Por desgracia tenemos un país que cada dos por tres nos empuja a salir"". eldiario.es.
  10. ^ a b "El caballero Don Quijote". premiosgoya.com. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  11. ^ Martí, Sergio (8 January 2018). "10 curiosidades de 'Manos a la obra', la mítica serie de Manolo y Benito". Ecartelera.
  12. ^ a b Torreiro, Mirito (29 May 2008). "Un Franco, 14 pesetas". Fotogramas.
  13. ^ a b Fernández, Fausto (10 February 2011). "Ispansi (Españoles). Para hispanistas nostálgicos". Fotogramas.
  14. ^ a b Piñón, Manuel (28 March 2014). "2 francos, 40 pesetas". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
  15. ^ Ocaña, Javier (10 January 2020). "El pozo de la comedia". El País.
  16. ^ Villacastín, Rosa (2 November 2019). "Carlos Iglesias: "Mi mujer es maravillosa"". Diez Minutos.
  17. ^ "Nominaciones a los Premios de la Unión de Actores". Fotogramas. 10 February 2015.
  18. ^ "'La isla mínima' también triunfa en los Premios Unión de Actores". Fotogramas. 10 March 2015.