Jorge Drexler
Jorge Abner Drexler Prada (born September 21, 1964) is a Uruguayan musician, actor and doctor specializing in otolaryngology.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Drexler and the second or maternal family name is Prada.
Jorge Drexler
- Musician
- singer
- composer
- actor
- doctor
1996-present
In 2004, Drexler won wide acclaim after becoming the first Uruguayan to win an Academy Award, which he won for composing the song "Al Otro Lado del Río" from The Motorcycle Diaries.
Early life[edit]
Drexler was born in Montevideo.[1] In 1939 his father, a German Jew from Berlin, fled to Bolivia with his family at the age of four to escape Nazi persecution.[2][3] His mother is a Christian of mixed Spanish, French, and Portuguese descent.[2] Drexler was raised Jewish,[2] but does not follow any organized religion.[4]
Like many of his family, he studied medicine and became an otorhinolaryngologist—an ear, nose and throat specialist.[5] Drexler began playing piano at age five, before attending guitar and composition classes.[6] Although he had an interest in music, he became a doctor like both of his parents.[7] He attended medical school in Montevideo.[2] During his time in medical school, Drexler took a break to hitchhike through Brazil.[2] He also studied music and recorded two albums, which were only released in Uruguay.
Personal life[edit]
Drexler was previously married to singer-songwriter Ana Laan. His girlfriend is Spanish actress/singer Leonor Watling, with whom he has two children. Watling is in the band Marlango.[16] His cousin is the scientist Alejandra Melfo.[17]