A square in Ciutat Vella to pay homage to Saza
Known popularly as Saza, the actor José Sazatornil was born in Ciutat Vella and spent his childhood there, specifically at number 74 bis in C/ Sant Pere Més Alt. A hundred years on, a commemorative plaque has been unveiled paying homage to one of the most popular and best-loved actors from the end of the 20th century.
A theatre, film and television artist, Saza became popular as the Catalan entrepreneur Jaume Canivell in La escopeta nacional, by Berlanga, and as the Civil Guard officer in Amanece que no es poco, by José Luis Cuerda. In 1988 he received the Goya for best supporting actor for Espérame en el cielo, by Antonio Mercero.
The ceremony to unveil the plaque was attended by relatives and professional colleagues, who highlighted the actor’s link with the neighbourhood of Sant Pere, where he studied and began his working life in a tailor’s shop in C/ Comtal before devoting himself fully to theatre and acting. His granddaughter, Cristina Arriaga, expressed her gratitude for the tribute with her grandfather’s legendary phrase: “Gracias mil os da Sazatornil”.
The homage coincides with the centenary year marking the actor’s birth.
