Artie Ortega / Artie Ortego
Other name variations: Art Ardigan, Art Ortega, Art Ortego
Full name: Arthur Andrew Ortega
1890? - 1960
The film work of Artie Ortego began around 1912. During those early years - and most often billed as Art Ortega - he appeared in dozens of silent two-reel "Indian Features" which starred Princess Mona Darkfeather. When sound arrived, his Hollywood work load increased and he became a familiar face in the B western. He specialized in portraying Native Americans - or picked up paydays as a henchman, posse rider, townsman, barfly, or stage driver. And most of his film appearances were uncredited/unbilled.
He was one of many B western performers that migrated to television work in the 1950s, and can be spotted in episodes of BUFFALO BILL JR., KIT CARSON, THE CISCO KID, more.
 (Courtesy of Les Adams)
Above from L-to-R are Vernie Hillie, Artie Ortego, Noah Beery, Jr., John Wayne and an unidentified player in a scene from Wayne's THE TRAIL BEYOND (Lone Star/Monogram, 1934).
 Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Artie Ortego: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0650961/
 There's extensive coverage on Artie Ortego on the Old Corral. Go back to the Old Corral homepage, and scroll down the left side menu to the Henchies section ... or click HERE and his bio will open in a separate window / tab. |
