Anthony Quinn Mural.

Anthony Quinn Mural: Pope of Broadway

Originally painted in 1984, a five-story-high mural depicts actor Anthony Quinn (1915-2001) dancing like he did, approximately, in his 1964 film, "Zorba the Greek." Quinn wasn't Greek, or even North American; he was born Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca in Chihuahua, Mexico, which is why he's here, near Mexico. Artist Eloy Torrez had painted a "Legends of Hollywood" mural in 1983, and afterward felt guilty that he'd included no Hispanic actors. So, this was his follow-up. Quinn was the first Mexican-American actor to win an Oscar.

Torrez oversaw the mural's three-year restoration, completed in 2017. Despite appearances, Torrez has insisted that Quinn's Christ-like crucifixion pose and the mural's cross shapes -- visible flanking his arms -- are mere accidents, even though Torrez's nickname for Quinn is "The Pope of Broadway."

Anthony Quinn Mural: Pope of Broadway

Address:: W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA
Directions:: Downtown. North side of W. 3rd St. just east of its intersection with S. Broadway. Back wall of parking lot.

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