Abel Fernandez

• Name — Abel Fernandez • Birth Name — Abel Gonzalez Fernandez • Born — 14 July 1930 • Birthplace — East Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Died — 3 May 2016 • Place of death — Whittier, California, U.S. • Resting Place — Riverside National Cemetery • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1953–2002 • Children — 4

Fernandez was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 14, 1930. His mother was a Yaqui Native American woman, and his father was a Native Mexican man. He was the youngest of a large American family and lost his mother at birth. He attended Belmont High School in Los Angeles, and at the age of 16, enlisted in the United States Army and became a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division. While there he won the title, Middleweight Boxing Champ of the Asiatic Forces. In 1950, as an amateur, he won the light heavyweight title in the Los Angeles Golden Gloves competition. After his discharge, he became a professional boxer from 1950 to 1953. During that time he studied acting and began appearing in films. In 1964, Fernandez was sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to failing to file state tax returns in California for four years. Additionally, he had to pay $4,750 in taxes, plus penalties, and be on probation for four years.

Fernandez died on May 3, 2016, from lung cancer at a hospital in Whittier, California, at the age of 85. He had four children. A US Army veteran, he was buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

• Second Chance (1953) – Rivera • Alaska Seas (1954) – Ricci—tall crewman • Rose Marie (1954) – Indian Warrior (uncredited) • Many Rivers to Cross (1955) – Slangoh • Strange Lady in Town (1955) – Apache (uncredited) • The Last Command (1955) – Mexican Soldier (uncredited) • Devil Goddess (1955) – Teinusi • Fort Yuma (1955) – Mangas • Target Zero (1955) – Pvt. Geronimo (uncredited) • The Harder They Fall (1956) – Chief Firebird (uncredited) • The Last Wagon (1956) – Apache Medicine Man (uncredited) • The Tijuana Story (1957) – Policeman (uncredited) • Decision at Sundown (1957) – Pete (uncredited) • Pork Chop Hill (1959) – Kindley • Steve Canyon (1959) – several episodes as Featherstone • Have Gun - Will Travel (1960) - S2 E19 "The Monster" - Prison Guard • The Age of Violence (1964) – Gangster • Rio Conchos (1964) – Mexican at Corral (uncredited) • Apache Uprising (1965) – Young Apache Chief • The Appaloosa (1966) – Mexican Farmer (uncredited) • Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966) – Aztec Airlines Attendant (uncredited) • Madigan (1968) – Detective Rodriguez • Topaz (1969) – Cuban Guerrilla Fighter (uncredited) • Quicksilver (1986) – Guyamo • Buster's Bedroom (1991) – Dr. Jacoby (final film role)