Federico del Toro, the father of Tapatio filmmaker and Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, died this week at a Guadalajara hospital at the age of 85.
The acclaimed director, who won an Academy Award earlier this year for his movie “The Shape of Water,” had arrived in the city on June 18 from his home in the United States, after his father’s health began to decline.
The owner of a successful Guadalajara car dealership, Federico del Toro was born in Ciudad Guzman and, as a young man, was a passionate motorcycle race competitor and fan.
Guillermo del Toro has always acknowledged the support and influence of his father, who financed his early cinematic projects, including his breakthrough film “Cronos.”
Federico del Toro was kidnapped for 72 days in 1998 before being released following the payment of a ransom. While several of the perpetrators were eventually captured, others avoided arrest. For security reasons, the filmmaker then decided to leave Guadalajara and move to the United States with his family.
Attending the wake held at a funeral home on Avenida Vallarta were Raul Padilla, president of the Guadalajara International Film Festival, and Guadalajara mayor-elect Ismael del Toro, a cousin of the filmmaker. A wreath was sent by Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval.