Ruben Padilla photos

Ruben Padilla, who portrayed General Santa Anna in THE ALAMO

Bruce.....it was my uncle, Ruben Padilla, who John Wayne cast to play 'General Santa Anna' in THE ALAMO in 1960. Wayne and Uncle Ruben were lifetime best friends. It pleases me to share these photos. Uncle Ruben (d. 1991) had some wonderful stories to tell of his time filming this movie, and the countless other experiences with which his interesting life was filled. Thank you for this forum that allows those memories to stay alive and be shared with so many others.

P.J. Padilla

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Enlarge I recall another great story he told me….At a staff production meeting, very shortly before filming was scheduled to start, John Wayne learned Marlon Brando could not fulfill his obligation to portray General Santa Anna. He was not pleased, extremely frustrated, and at a loss as to what to do. Spotting my Uncle sitting quietly in the corner, someone in the meeting said, “Why don’t we use Ruben”... Wayne responded, “Ruben??? He doesn’t look like Santa Anna“….to which Uncle Ruben bravely countered, “And I suppose you look like Davy Crockett!” Hilarious!

Enlarge Here's when Duke flew to our hometown, Calexico, CA, in 1973 to visit Uncle Ruben. He's surrounded by all of us Padillas....that's my right arm on the far right side of photo....haha!!

Enlarge This is when Uncle Ruben went to visit Duke on the set of THE UNDEFEATED in Durango, Mexico in 1968

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Enlarge Their last photo together....taken in San Diego. Clearly Duke is losing his battle

Enlarge This is the only photo of the visit to Calexico in '56 when Duke apparently had dinner at our house. My father is the gentleman, second from the left. He was the Commander of the National Armory and as a favor to my Uncle Ruben, Duke flew down as Master of Ceremony of the grand opening.....no charge. He was a great guy

Enlarge The Final Surrender

Uncle Ruben leading the charge

Enlarge One more from THE ALAMO.....Uncle Ruben and Frankie Avalon. He told me they both took riding lessons together for the movie and, as he described it, "....Frankie couldn't ride a horse if his life depended on it."