Orestes Matacena Biography: Wife, Age, Movies & TV Shows, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Death

Orestes Matacena is a distinguished Cuban–American actor, director, producer, and writer, renowned for his rich contributions to stage, screen, and film.

Born in Havana to Italian immigrant parents, he built a long-standing reputation with character-driven roles, most notably portraying the mobster Niko in The Mask (1994).

With a career spanning from his 1973 New York theatre debut to award-winning performances in independent cinema, Matacena remains a respected creative force in entertainment.

Profile

• Full Name: Orestes Matacena
• Stage Name: Orestes Matacena
• Born: August 29, 1941
• Age: 83 years old
• Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
• Nationality: Cuban–American
• Occupation: Actor, Director, Producer, Writer
• Height: 1.78 m
• Parents: Rafael Matacena, Aracelli Matacena
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Clara Hernandez (m. 1975–1982)
• Children: Lawrence Rafael Matacena
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life and Education

Orestes Matacena was born on August 29, 1941, in Havana, Cuba, to Rafael and Aracelli Matacena. Raised on a sugar-mill plantation, he grew up surrounded by animals and immersed in a rural upbringing.

As a teenager, Matacena was involved in anti-Castro resistance before emigrating to Mexico and then to the United States in the mid-1960s, arriving with limited funds and no English proficiency.

In the U.S., he held various jobs—dishwasher, cook, salesman—before relocating to New York, where he began his journey in theatre and eventually co-founded his own playhouses. His ethnicity is Cuban of Italian descent; his religion remains unknown.

Career

Orestes Matacena began his artistic journey in 1973 performing at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York, and co-founding the New York Theater of the Americas, producing over thirty original stage works. During this period, he also performed in prominent NYC companies including Cafe La Mama, Stage 73, Henry Street Playhouse, and Astor Place Theatre—establishing himself as a versatile talent in dramatic arts.

Transitioning to film, Matacena played key roles in Los Gusanos (1978), Guaguasi (1979), Diggstown (1992), and reached broad visibility as Niko in The Mask (1994).

He pursued creative control by writing, producing, and directing independent films such as Fatal Encounter (1981), Tainted (1988), Bitter Sugar (1996)—screened at the U.S. Congress and Geneva Human Rights Commission—and later projects like Sexgunsmoney@20 and In Plain View.

In recent years, Matacena has garnered critical acclaim and awards for his performances in independent film festivals, including Best Actor at both the 24FPS International Short Film Festival and the Vaughan Film Festival in 2013. He continues to act, write, and direct, maintaining a vibrant presence in both mainstream and independent cinematic arenas.

Social Media

Orestes Matacena does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Orestes Matacena married Clara Hernandez in 1975; the marriage ended in divorce in 1982. They share one son, Lawrence Rafael Matacena.

Devoted to his craft, Orestes has also participated in charitable efforts, but prefers to keep his private life discreet and focused on his enduring artistic pursuits.

Filmography

Film (Actor):

• Los Gusanos (1978)
• Guaguasi (1979; title role)
• Diggstown (1992) – Victor
• The Mask (1994) – Niko
• Bitter Sugar (Azúcar amarga, 1996) – Claudio
• Wild Wild West (1999) – Spanish dignitary
• Last Stand (2000) – General Ivan Kragov

Director / Writer / Producer:

• Fatal Encounter (1981)
• Tainted (1988)
• Bitter Sugar (1996)
• Sexgunsmoney@20 (2002)
• In Plain View (2008)

Net Worth

Orestes Matacena’s net worth is not publicly disclosed; his financial foundation rests on a multi-decade career spanning global film, television, stage, and acclaimed independent productions, alongside his roles as writer, producer, and director.