Del Toro's Big Secret

Movie star [Benicio Del Toro](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/benicio-del-toro) kept his career a secret from his parents - and only revealed he was an actor after winning an ACADEMY AWARD in 2001.

Despite his starring roles in movies [The Usual Suspects](https://contactmusic.6lgx.com/the-usual-suspects) and FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, Del Toro's Puerto Rican parents didn't approve of acting as a profession - so he convinced them instead he was studying law in America.

The 37-year-old explains, "My family was shocked when they heard I wanted to be an actor. None of us had the slightest thing to do with film. Actors were like extraterrestrials.

"I couldn't bring myself to tell them I was taking acting classes. For two years my father thought I was studying law."

Del Toro had to confess his secret when he scooped the Best Supporting Actor OSCAR for TRAFFIC - and instantly became a household name.

He adds, "When I won the Oscar there was no point in making up stories anymore. At that point my family knew I was acting every now and then, but they thought it was just one of several jobs I was doing to finance my studies.

"They kept asking me when I would finally get my degree. But I think I won them over with the Oscar and now they're I hope just a little proud of me."

04/03/2004 20:58