Meet Emilio Fernandez, The Mexican Model Behind The Oscar Statue

Meet The Mexican Model Behind The Oscar Statue
FILE - In this March 5, 2010 file photo, an Oscar statue stands on the red carpet outside the 82nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 85th annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, file)
FILE - In this March 5, 2010 file photo, an Oscar statue stands on the red carpet outside the 82nd Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The 85th annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, file)

The Oscar is probably the most recognizable and iconic award in all of entertainment -- close your eyes and it's easy to picture that shiny, golden, angular-featured little guy. And, as it turns out, that much-coveted statue owes his dashing good looks to a real human being -- Emilio Fernández.

Born in Coahuila, Mexico in 1904, Fernández worked as a screenwriter, actor, and director in both the Mexican and American film industries. You might recognize some of the classic films he's worked on, like 1947's The Fugitive, 1964's The Night of the Iguana, and 1974's Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. But even if you've never seen a single one of his films, you've still seen his work -- as the model for the Oscar statuette.

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