Luis Fernandez-Gil is a Spanish[1] actor and professional wrestling personality. In the 2000s and 2010s, Fernandez-Gil appeared in films including The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down and Jack and Jill, as well as television shows including The Mentalist and Punk'd. He is also known for portraying the non-wrestler characters Dario Cueto and his father Antonio Cueto on the professional wrestling television series Lucha Underground. Fernandez-Gil is currently signed to the Major League Wrestling promotion, where he performs under the ring name Cesar Duran.[2]
Luis Fernandez-Gil | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Ring name(s) | Antonio Cueto Cesar Duran Dario Cueto |
| Debut | 2014 |
Acting career
editDuring the 2000s and 2010s, the films Fernandez-Gil has acted in included Asian Stories (Book 3), The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down and Jack and Jill;[3] the television shows Fernandez-Gil has acted in include The Mentalist, Mike & Molly, Punk'd and Ray Donovan.[3]
Professional wrestling career
editLucha Underground (2014–2018)
editFernandez-Gil portrayed the character of Dario Cueto in the professional wrestling television series Lucha Underground, as the on screen authority that is the owner and promoter of Lucha Underground.[4][5][6] El Rey Network, which airs Lucha Underground,[4] described the character as Lucha Underground's "proprietor" with characteristic "bloodlust" and "seemingly endless amounts of money". It also added that Cueto's "crowning achievement" is his Temple in Boyle Heights,[7] in reference to the warehouse where both seasons of the television series have been filmed.[8]
The first taping of Lucha Underground occurred on 6 September 2014,[9][10] with Cueto debuting in the series' first episode on 29 October 2014.[11] Cueto had made an earlier appearance with a speech at Triplemanía XXII in 2014 where he invited the luchadores of AAA to participate in his Temple.[6][11]
On 17 December 2014 episode, Cueto introduced the Lucha Underground Championship, declaring that the winner of his created Aztec Warfare match would be the new champion.[12] On the 1 April 2015 episode, Cueto introduced the Lucha Underground Trios Championship and started a tournament to crown the inaugural champions.[13]
On the 27 May 2015 episode, Cueto ordered that for their failings, one of the Crew would be sacrificed to Cueto's brother. Cortez Castro and Mr. Cisco turned on Bael, assisting in the implied killing by Cueto's brother.[14] On the next episode, Cueto imprisoned Black Lotus for trying to kill his brother. Lotus was captured by Chavo Guerrero and the Crew, as Guerrero betrayed Lotus to Cueto in exchange for protection from Mexican enemies.[15]
At part one of Lucha Underground's Ultima Lucha, Cueto admitted to Black Lotus that his brother is "the Monster" Matanza, forced by their father to partake in underground fighting. He claimed that it was El Dragon Azteca who had killed Lotus' parents while framing Matanza for the deed. Despite Azteca trying to save Lotus,[16] Lotus attacked and seemingly killed Azteca on part two of Ultima Lucha on 5 August 2015, also the first season finale. Cueto then freed Lotus, claiming that Azteca's death had endangered them and they needed to leave, so Cueto and Lotus fled along with Matanza, while the show closed with the Temple being abandoned.[17][18]
In the second season he's revealed to be hiding in an old warehouse along with Black Lotus and Matanza, luring people in order to feed Matanza. Dario returns at the 2nd Aztec Warfare with Matanza, declaring him the final person in the match. From there he resumes his duty of Lucha Underground owner and manager of Matanza. At the end of Ultima Lucha 3 Dario is seemingly shot to death, but not before using his final moments to make a call to his father.[citation needed]
In season 4, Fernandez-Gil played Antonio Cueto, the father of Dario Cueto, again as the on-screen authority.
Major League Wrestling (2021–present)
editOn the 5 May 2021 episode of Fusion, Fernandez-Gil debuted for Major League Wrestling (MLW) as the leader of the Azteca Underground stable under the ring name Cesar Duran.[2][19]
As leader of Azteca Underground, Duran headed MLW Azteca, a miniseries where he made feuds and matches to his pleasure. Duran was later declared the matchmaker of MLW.
Personal life
editFernandez-Gil holds a black belt in judo.[5]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Punk'd | Field Agent | Season 8, 8 episodes |
| 2014 | Mike and Molly | Enrique | Season 4, episode 11 |
| 2014 | The Mentalist | Ambassador Moreno | Season 6, episode 21 |
| 2014 | Ray Donovan | Boxing referee | Season 2, Episodes 1 & 2 |
| 2014–2018 | Lucha Underground | Dario Cueto & Antonio Cueto | 105 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Telenovela | Director | 8 episodes |
| 2016 | It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia | Doctor Krause | Season 11, episode 6 |
| 2016 | Angie Tribeca | Bank Manager | Season 1, episode 9 |
| 2016 | You're the Worst | Preacher | Season 3, episode 1 |
| 2016 | Club de Cuervos | Ricky Lamas | |
| 2021–present | MLW Fusion | Cesar Duran | |
| 2022 | This Fool | Priest | |
| 2023–present | MLW Underground Wrestling | Cesar Duran |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down | ||
| 2008 | Asian Stories (Book 3) | ||
| 2009 | Now & Later | Luis | |
| 2011 | Jack and Jill | Italian Cruise Ship Director | |
| 2016 | Joshy | The Spaniard | |
| 2016 | Rules Don't Apply | Somoza's Aide | |
| 2016 | She's Allergic to Cats | Huber | |
| 2016 | Stevie D | Maitre D Ricardo | |
| 2016 | Sammy-Gate | Bebe Rebozo | |
| 2020 | Horse Girl | Tow Worker | |
| 2021 | Supercool | Officer Ramirez |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Uncharted 4: A Thief's End | Additional voices | Voice role |
Awards
edit- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Non-Wrestler (2015, 2016)[21][22]
References
edit- ^ a b Scarpellini, Pablo (22 February 2009). "Cinco españoles en Hollywood que no optan a los Oscar". El Mundo. Retrieved 24 July 2016.(in Spanish)
- ^ a b "REPORT: Dario Cueto signs with MLW, Salina de la Renta departs". Post Wrestling. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ a b c "Luis Fernandez Gil". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2015. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ a b Varsallone, Jim. "Former WWE superstar John Morrison on One Three Media's 'Lucha Underground' on El Rey Network". Miami Herald. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ a b Keller, Wade. "News: Bringing Sexay Back! New Attitude Era WWE DVD details, WWE Network in Canada, scoop on lead heel promoter on Lucha Underground". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ a b Johnson, Mike. "The Temple is open, Prince Puma vs. Johnny Mundo & more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ "Lucha Underground -> Roster -> Dario Cueto". El Rey Network. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ Karp, Jensen (5 August 2015). "Lucha Underground's Last Stand". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ Johnson, Mike. "Early spoiler notes from first Lucha Underground TV taping". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ Johnson, Mike. "Lucha Underground episode 1 spoilers". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ a b Peeples, Jeremy. "Lucha Underground TV report: Prince Puma (Ricochet) vs. Johnny Mundo (John Morrison)". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015.
- ^ Dehnel, Joel. "Lucha Underground report 12/17: Battle Royal & 10-way match set up main event (w/Analysis of Booking 101)". Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter.
- ^ Peeples, Jeremy. "Lucha Underground TV Report 4-1-2015: Trios title tournament begins". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ Moore, John. "5/27 Moore's Lucha Underground Review". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ Namako, Jason. "Lucha Underground Results – 6/3/15 (Star vs. Pentagon Jr.)". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ Moore, John. "7/29 Moore's Lucha Underground Ultima Lucha Night One Review: The Black Lotus Saga continues". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ Peeples, Jeremy. "Lucha Underground August 5 TV results: Prince Puma vs. Mil Muertes headlines Ultima Lucha season one finale". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ Moore, John. "8/5 Moore's Lucha Underground Season Finale Review: Ultima Lucha part two". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ @MLW (16 May 2021). "@RealCesarDuran and @AZTECALucha are not here to play games!" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 May 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Index to Motion Picture Credits -> Fernandez-Gil, Luis". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (25 January 2016). "January 25, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Observer Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 31. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (6 March 2017). "March 6, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2016 Awards issue, talent departing TNA, more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 16. ISSN 1083-9593.
External links
edit- Luis Fernandez-Gil on Facebook
- Luis Fernandez-Gil at IMDb
- Luis Fernandez-Gil at Rotten Tomatoes
- Luis Fernandez-Gil's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com, Internet Wrestling Database