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Even though I do not know very much about Raul Julia except that he was an actor of Hispanic origin who died somewhat prematurely in 1994 - of what I do not know (to find that out read article #1), here follows an article on him and/or around him for your delectation, entertainment and even edification. He was probably born some time in the 1940s (going by how old he looked in his last film, though he did wear heavy make up in that) and the only films I've seen him in that I remember are a minor role as an artist in 'Panic in Needle Park' in 1971 which is notable for being one of Al Pacino's first starring roles (and what a stunning performance it was - as an actor he definitely hit the floor running and has been leaving almost every other actor trailing hopelessly in his wake ever since, though Robert De Niro has desperately been holding on to his coat tails for much of the way, probably ruining his jacket in the process). I could find out a lot more by checking his name out on Google or another search engine but what would be the point? Do it yourself. He (that is, Julia, not Pacino) also starred with William Hurt in Kiss of the Spider Woman in which he played a memorable role as a radical left-wing (or was it right-wing, no matter, I suppose it comes to the same thing, as opposite extremes meet who said that? whoever they are, they were very clever) political prisoner sharing the same cell with Hurt with whom he strikes up a strange, intense, and at the same time close, antagonistic love/hate relationship, playing a kind of devil's advocate figure, a tempter, a Mephistopheles. I enjoyed this film a lot when I saw it a few years ago and would like to see it again some time. I would also like to read the book by Manuel Puig on which it is based and in the original Spanish. In the film, he eventually dies as a result of constant brutal beatings. (To be honest, a straight biography doesn't offer much scope for new ideas or creativity and I've just written this to get an article in the top 2 as only one article has been written on this subject so far. What an achievement! I suppose as other articles come in on this subject, I will inevitably slip down the ladder. But I've had my moment of glory, brief though it may be!) In conclusion, the only other film I recall him being in was Adams Family Values in 1994 which (correct me if I'm wrong - which I often am) came out after he died, in which he played the father. Most people would agree that it was a weak film and his role in it wasn't one he will or would like to be remembered for, it being far beneath his considerable powers as an actor. This only goes to show that not all good or even great - actors can end their careers on a high (take Marlon Brando and Orson Welles, for instance, undoubtedly two of the greatest actors/film-makers in cinema history, not to mention Richard Burton who made one redeeming role as O'Brien in 1984 (by a curious coincidence, also made in 1984), just before taking his final bow (i.e. dying), by another amazing coincidence, also in 1984, though he doesn't die in the film confused? so am I). It wasn't a very demanding role and he (Julia that is, not Burton) must have died shortly after making it, though he doesn't die in it. If you've had the discernment and conscientiousness to read this article right to the end, I trust you have found it more rewarding to read than I have to write (I'll be lucky if I get more than 11 cents for it, that is, 5 pence, or even nothing at all. Is that fair?)

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