Tony Mendez
| Use attributes for filter ! | |
| Gender | Male |
|---|---|
| Death | 4 years ago |
| Date of birth | November 15,1940 |
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| Born | Eureka |
| Nevada | |
| United States | |
| Date of died | January 19,2019 |
| Died | Frederick |
| Maryland | |
| United States | |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Karen Mendez |
| Jonna Mendez | |
| Job | Author |
| Painter | |
| Books | The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA |
| Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History | |
| Keep it Hidden! The Best Places to Stash Your Stuff | |
| The Stakeout: Spying & Secret Surveillance | |
| Spy to Spy: Sharing Your Secrets Safely | |
| The Getaway: Expert Escape & Evasion | |
| Argo | |
| Spy by Night: Stealth & Secrets After Dark | |
| Spy dust | |
| Children | Antonio Tobias Mendez |
| Ian Mendez | |
| Amanda Mendez | |
| Parents | John George Mendez |
| Neva June Tognoni | |
| Movies/Shows | Argo |
| Our Man In Tehran | |
| Date of Reg. | |
| Date of Upd. | |
| ID | 462219 |
Tony Mendez Life story
Antonio Joseph Mendez was an American technical operations officer for the Central Intelligence Agency, who specialized in support of clandestine and covert CIA operations. He wrote four memoirs about his CIA experiences.
CIA spy who inspired Affleck movie Argo dies
Tony Mendez was a specialist in disguises and forgeries at the CIA
Ex-CIA agent Tony Mendez , who inspired the Oscar-winning film Argo, has died at the age of 78.
He had been suffering from Parkinson's Disease. At the CIA, Mendez specialised in disguises, forgery and rescues.
He is best known for smuggling six American diplomats out of Iran during the 1979-81 hostage crisis by posing as a Film Producer .
Ben Affleck , who directed Argo and starred as Mendez, called him "a true American Hero ".
"He was A Man of extraordinary grace, decency, humility and kindness," Affleck said in a tweet.
"He never sought the spotlight for his actions, he merely sought to serve his country. "
Former CIA deputy director Michael Morell also tweeted that Mendez "was one of The Best officers to ever serve at CIA".
"His work was unique, and it help [sic] to protect our nation in significant ways. "
Mendez's literary agent, Christy Fetcher, said: "He was surrounded With Love from His Family and will be sorely missed. "
'An artist first'Born in 1940, Mendez worked as a draughtsman after graduating from university and joined the CIA after answering a blind advert for a graphic artist.
Over a 25-year career he worked with Hollywood make-up artists and magicians to perfect disguises and fake identities.
He served in multiple foreign posts, mostly in Asia. In 1980 he orchestrated what would later be called the "Canadian Caper", a daring rescue of six American diplomats from Iran.
The Diplomats were forced to shelter in Canada's embassy in Tehran after protesters overran The American embassy.
Mendez met the six and helped them to pose as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a non-existent sci-fi movie, Argo.
With Canada's help, The Group was able to evade Iranian security services and board a flight to Zurich from Tehran.
After retiring from the CIA, Mendez ran an art studio and wrote three memoirs about his experiences.
"I've always considered myself to be an artist first," he told the Washington Post, "and for 25 years I was a pretty good Spy . "
canada, iran, united states, cia
Source of news: bbc.com
Tony Mendez Photos
