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Rodolfo Acosta

Rodolfo Acosta

Actor · Died November 7, 1974, aged 54 · Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico

Mexican character actor Rodolfo Acosta (born Rodolfo Acosta Pérez) achieved his greatest success in the US, primarily as a villain in westerns. He was born in Chamizal, a section of land disputed by Mexico and Texas due to changes in the Rio Grande river which forms the border. At the time of Acosta's birth, the area was generally accepted by both Mexican and Texas governments as U.S. territory, and Acosta was born an American citizen, despite the fact that his birthplace is now in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. He served in the U.S. Navy in naval intelligence during World War II and married Jeanine Cohen, a woman he met in Casablanca during the North African campaign. They had four children. She filed for divorce after she found out Acosta was having an affair and sharing an apartment in Mexico City with actress Ann Sheridan in the 1950s. They divorced in 1957. Rodolfo Acosta married again on September 18, 1971 to Vera Martinez and they had one child. She divorced him in 1974 a few weeks before his death at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. After the war, Acosta worked in Mexico in films of the great director Emilio Fernández, which led to a bit in John Ford's film The Fugitive (1947). He came to the US and was signed by Universal-International for a small role in One Way Street (1950). He stayed in the US and his sharp, ruthless features led him to a long succession of roles as bandits, Indian warriors and outlaws. In The Tijuana Story (1957), he had a sympathetic leading role, but in general he spent his career as a very familiar western bad guy.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
July 29, 1920
Died
November 7, 1974 (aged 54)
From
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Works as
Actor
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 101 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 13% in 30 days

What are Rodolfo Acosta's films like?

Across their 26 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
36%
Bonds
28%
Survival
11%
Power
9%
Self
8%
Society
8%
Ideas
1%
Justice9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 26 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 15 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 16 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 19 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 14 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 13 · Affecting 8 · Heavy 5

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 4 of 5 analyzed roles.

Shadow
4 of 5
Threshold guardian
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Thrilling
8
Warm
8
Melancholic
8
Hopeful
7
Other
17

How their films linger

Bittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Rodolfo Acosta's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rodolfo Acosta's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

101 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page.

  • Blood Legacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Sheriff Dan Garcia

  • Run, Simon, Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Manuel

  • Flap(1970)

    as Mr. Storekeeper / Ann's Father

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Great White Hope(1970)

    as El Jefe

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Young Billy Young(1969)

    as Mexican Officer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Che!(1969)

    as Monte

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Impasse(1969)

    as Draco

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Dayton's Devils (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Fishing boat captain

  • The Outcasts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Legend of Custer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Santanya

  • Stranger on the Run(1967)

    as Mercurio

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Violent Ones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Estevez

  • Valley of Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Manuel Sanchez

  • The High Chaparral (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Vaquero

  • Custer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Santana

  • Ironside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Return of the Seven(1966)

    as Lopez

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Mission: Impossible(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Presidente Miguel De Varo

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Laredo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Big Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Rico

  • The Reward (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Patron

  • The Sons of Katie Elder(1965)

    as Bondie Adams

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Greatest Story Ever Told(1965)

    as Captain of lancers

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Rio Conchos(1964)

    as Bloodshirt

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Daniel Boone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabriel · as Running Fox

  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Ramirez

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Raiders(1963)

    as Cherokee Policeman

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Great Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lt. Bullhead

  • The Fugitive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mexican

  • Savage Sam(1963)

    as Bandy Legs

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • How the West Was Won(1962)

    as Gant Gang Member (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Gallant Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Yaqui Leader

  • The Second Time Around(1961)

    as Rodriguez

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • One-Eyed Jacks(1961)

    as Mexican Rurale Captain

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Posse from Hell(1961)

    as Johnny Caddo

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Flaming Star(1960)

    as Buffalo Horn

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Let No Man Write My Epitaph(1960)

    as Max

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Walk Like a Dragon(1960)

    as Sheriff Marguelez

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Rebel(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Satanta

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Vincente Aranda

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • One Step Beyond(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Colonel Ferrero

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Arapahoe Leader · as Chisera · as Del Latigo

  • The Texan(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Bronco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Tomas Fierro

  • The Last Rebel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as 'Three Fingers' Jack

  • From Hell to Texas(1958)

    as Bayliss

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Zorro(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Walter Winchell File (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Tijuana Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Manuel Acosta Mesa

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Sugarfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Rafael

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Trooper Hook(1957)

    as Nanchez

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Apache Warrior (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Marteen

  • Without Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Bandido! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Sebastian

  • The Proud Ones(1956)

    as Chico

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Littlest Outlaw(1955)

    as Chato

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • A Life in the Balance(1955)

    as Lt. Fernando

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Drum Beat(1954)

    as Scarface Charlie

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Passion(1954)

    as Salvador sandro

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Take Me in Your Arms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Agustín

  • Night People(1954)

    as Uncredited

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Hondo(1953)

    as Silva

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Appointment in Honduras(1953)

    as Reyes

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • City of Bad Men(1953)

    as Joe Mendoza

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Wings of the Hawk(1953)

    as Arturo

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Destination Gobi(1953)

    as Tomec

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • San Antone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Chino Figueroa

  • El billetero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Actor

  • Horizons West(1952)

    as General Jose Escobar Lopez

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Víctimas del divorcio(1952)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Yankee Buccaneer(1952)

    as Poulini

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • El dinero no es la vida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Actor

  • The Sea and You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Don Rufino

  • Acapulco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Alfredo

  • The Port of the Seven Sins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as El falcón

  • La bienamada(1951)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Las Islas Marias (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as El Silencio (The Silence)

  • Sensualidad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as el Rizos

  • Retorno al quinto patio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Actor

  • Los amantes(1951)

    as Alejandro / Alex Montez

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bullfighter and the Lady(1951)

    as Juan

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Pecado (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Arregui

  • Victims of Sin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Rodolfo

  • Entre tu amor y el cielo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Miguel

  • Pancho Villa Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Martin Corona

  • One Way Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Francisco Morales

  • Pancho Villa vuelve (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Actor

  • Prisión de sueños (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Rodolfo

  • The Unloved Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as (uncredited)

  • Felipe de Jesús (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Principe Chokozabe

  • Salon Mexico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Paco

  • The Cockfighter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Actor

  • Rosenda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Salustio Hernández

  • El canto de la sirena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Actor

  • The Fugitive(1947)

    as Policeman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Soy un prófugo(1946)

    as Esbirro del jefe

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 101 titles from 1946 to 1971; peak year 1960.

Biggest box office

Flaming Star (1960)

$4.4M worldwide

Highest rated

Hondo (1953)

Midcredits 80th

Film career

19461971

Peak 1960 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting101 of 101: 101 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62nd

By decade

1940s9 · acting1950s52 · acting1960s36 · acting1970s4 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 22 roles
4656

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Rodolfo Acosta's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 40; across their 26 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Reach · how many have seen their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th23
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 49 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Broadly Agreed9
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Che! (1969)

83rd percentile spread · 40% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)

Midcredits 86th · 78% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 23 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Rodolfo Acosta work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rodolfo Acosta's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Clair Huffaker shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles