Raul Julia-Levy rings in 2011 honoring father's memory

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Raul Julia-Levy rings in 2011 honoring father's memory

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LOS ANGELES, CA -- While many worldwide welcomed 2011 in jubilant celebration, actor/producer Raul Julia-Levy chose to count down the hours to a new decade in peace and solemnity.

During the holidays, the Mexican-American quietly left his home in Los Angeles to welcome in the new year at his father's eternal resting place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Julia-Levy's father, Raúl Juliá, is best remembered for his role as 'Gomez' in two film adaptations of "The Addams Family."

Following a stellar career as a stage, television and major motion picture actor, Juliá -- in failing health -- died in 1994 after reportedly suffering an unexpected stroke.

He is buried in a private family plot at the Buxeda Cemetary in San Juan, along with his parents and many other departed members of the Juliá family.

On a large gravemarker, Juliá's name is listed between the inscriptions of his father's and mother's.

"When I visited my father's grave, I kept asking him why he left so soon," said Julia-Levy, who met his father for the first time at age 17.

Julia-Levy is Juliá's firstborn biological son, begot by Mexican native Margaret Levy, living descendant of the Levi-Strauss empire and heir to one of the wealthiest and more influential families in Latin America.

After meeting his father for the first time, Julia-Levy said the two of them hit it off quite well, squeezing in a veritable lifetime of togetherness into a short span of four years. Within that emptying hourglass, Juliá introduced his son to many of Hollywood's top-drawer actors, producers and directors.

Julia-Levy globetrotted with his father, accompanying him on several film projects, including "Street Fighter," a movie filmed on location in both Thailand and Australia.

"Spending time at my father's grave was very emotional for me," said Julia-Levy. "It brought back so many good memories. I wish we could have spent more time together."

Prior to his death, Juliá worked voraciously to raise awareness to world hunger. He was a dedicated community servant.

After his passing, Juliá 's body was transported from New York to San Juan, where thousands of adoring fans attended his state funeral. 

"Puerto Rico loved my father," said Julia-Levy. "Now they've welcomed me with open arms."

Following in his father's footsteps, Julia-Levy has already co-starred and produced several movies; he is preparing to start work on "Havana Heat," within the first quarter of 2011.

Moreover, Julia-Levy will soon go into production on "Chronicles of the Mayan Tunnel," a 3-D movie based on a novel he has authored.

In the spirit and image of his father, Julia-Levy has embraced several major causes aimed at helping endangered animals and improving the lives of Mexico's indigenous peoples.

Though many may continue to mourn the loss of Raúl Juliá, the Shakespearean actor and humanitarian still lives on in his legacy, bloodline and what he was able to instill in his son.

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