At 88, José Sacristán retires from cinema: 'I need time I no longer have; and I don't want to get up early anymore'

Veteran Spanish actor José Sacristán has decided to retire from cinema after an illustrious 70-year career, at the age of 88. He stated that he needs time he no longer possesses and wishes to avoid waking up early, signaling a desire for a less demanding pace.

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Se necesita un tiempo que ya no dispongo. Y no quiero madrugar más

Sacristán, known for his charisma, distinctive baritone voice, and enduring presence in Spanish-language cinema over the past half-century, confirmed he will continue his work in theater. His announcement, made on the popular television program 'La revuelta,' surprised the audience. Despite his decision regarding film, he maintains full lucidity and vitality for stage performances.

This decision follows earlier sentiments expressed by Sacristán. In 2021, before receiving the National Cinematography Award, he remarked that he was losing interest in film and television, preferring to be home by dinner time and avoiding the "pathos of wanting to die with my boots on." He indicated he would continue acting as long as he enjoyed it, but found cinema and television less entertaining.

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Si me dan un guión y leo que hay que rodar en exteriores por la noche, no sigo. A la hora de cenar ya me gusta estar en casa. De ninguna manera quiero llegar al patetismo ese de querer morir con las botas puestas. Seguiré mientras me divierta, y el cine y la televisión ya me divierten poco

Born in Chinchón, near Madrid, in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, Sacristán comes from a town he cherishes and plans to visit more often in his retirement. He fondly recalls his childhood, marked by poverty but not misery, and the profound impact of visiting his father in prison due to his political beliefs, which instilled in him a deep appreciation for freedom.

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Éramos pobres, pero no miserables. Mi abuela y mi madre hacían milagros para que el hambre no nos quitara las ganas de jugar en la calle. Recuerdo las visitas a la cárcel de Ocaña para ver a mi padre a través de unos locutorios con doble reja. De niño no sabía de ideologías, pero entendía perfectamente el dolor de ver a mi padre encerrado por sus ideas. Aquello me dio una medida de la libertad que no he olvidado nunca