Guillermo del Toro: Religion, Family, and Career Myths

His films are filled with Catholic iconography, haunted dolls, and monsters you want to hug, but Guillermo del Toro himself often remains a more mysterious figure than the creatures he creates. This biographical guide separates the verified facts from the myths about his religion, his money, and his relationships with actors like Andrew Garfield.

Born: October 9, 1964 · Birthplace: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico · Occupation: Filmmaker, author, artist · Instagram Followers: 1.4 million · Academy Awards: 3 (as of 2024)

Seven biographical facts, one quick reference:

Are Guillermo and Benicio del Toro related?

Who is Benicio del Toro?

Benicio del Toro is a Puerto Rican actor known for films like Traffic, 21 Grams, and Sicario. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2001. The shared Spanish surname “del Toro” naturally leads people to wonder if the two men are related.

Why do people think they are related?

• Both are prominent Hispanic actors/filmmakers with the same last name.
• They have met publicly and posed together, fueling speculation.

The implication: The confusion is understandable, but a quick check of their respective biographies makes the answer clear. Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) lists Guillermo’s family as originating from Guadalajara, with no mention of any actor relative. Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) likewise notes Benicio’s parents were Puerto Rican lawyers, with no connection to the filmmaker.

The pattern: Surname coincidence, not blood relation.

What is Guillermo del Toro’s religion?

Was Guillermo del Toro raised Catholic?

Yes. Multiple authoritative sources agree that del Toro was raised in a strongly Catholic environment. Britannica (reference publication) notes his upbringing in Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s most Catholic cities, and describes his mother as a poet and artist who also had interests in tarot and the occult. The IMDb (film database) biography adds that he was largely raised by his Catholic grandmother (or great-aunt).

“Adversity is good – and that view is linked to Catholicism.”

— Guillermo del Toro, reported by The Independent (news publication)

How has religion influenced his films?

Religious imagery saturates his work: the pale man in Pan’s Labyrinth, the crucifix-laden Crimson Peak, and the monster-as-martyr in The Shape of Water. Critics have long linked this to his strict religious upbringing. TheoFantastique (academic religion blog) directly states that the Catholicism never left the collector.

A popular anecdote claims his grandmother performed an exorcism on him as a child. The story appears in the IONCINEMA (film interview site) interview summary, but the details are hard to verify independently. Reportedly, del Toro has described the event as formative.

The pattern: Religion is not a past stage for del Toro — it’s a living influence that he simultaneously embraces and rebels against. He has told interviewers that he believes people are born into one family and make another along the way.

Is Guillermo del Toro nice in real life?

What do actors say about working with him?

Almost universally, colleagues describe him as warm, passionate, and deeply supportive. Ron Perlman, who starred in Hellboy and Pacific Rim, has repeatedly praised del Toro’s loyalty. Sally Hawkins, lead in The Shape of Water, called him “the most generous director” in interviews. Bright Wall/Dark Room (film criticism site) frames him as a world-builder whose sets feel like collaborative playgrounds.

What is his reputation in Hollywood?

• Known for his devotion to craft — he brings sketchbooks full of creature designs to every project.
• Actors report that he treats everyone on set with respect, from lead actors to grips.
• Andrew Garfield, despite leaving del Toro’s Frankenstein, spoke warmly of him in press.

“He’s a glorious human being — his passion is infectious.”

— Andrew Garfield on Guillermo del Toro, reported by The Hollywood Reporter (trade publication)

The trade-off: Some directors are brilliant but difficult. Del Toro appears to be both brilliant and beloved — a rare combination that explains why actors keep coming back.

Why did Andrew Garfield leave Guillermo del Toro?

What project were they working on?

Garfield was originally cast as The Creature in del Toro’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Frankenstein. The project was announced with considerable buzz in 2023.

What reason did Andrew Garfield give?

The exact reason remains officially unclear. The Hollywood Reporter (trade publication) reported in early 2024 that Garfield departed, with scheduling conflicts being the most commonly cited cause. Both parties emphasized the departure was amicable. Del Toro later cast a different actor.

Is Guillermo del Toro from a rich family?

What was his childhood like?

Del Toro grew up in a middle-class household in Guadalajara. His father was a businessman — specifically a car dealer — and his mother was a poet and artist who also studied tarot. Britannica (reference publication) notes that his father won a large lottery prize, which gave the family financial breathing room but did not make them aristocrats.

How did he get into filmmaking?

He developed an obsession with monsters and special effects at a very young age. Biography.com (reference site) states that he was making short films and studying makeup effects by his teens. He started his professional career in special effects and makeup in 1985 before breaking into directing with Cronos in 1993.

The implication: Del Toro’s journey is a self-made story, not a silver-spoon narrative. The lottery win helped, but his drive and imagination are the real inheritance.

Timeline

• 1964 – Born in Guadalajara, Mexico (Britannica (reference publication))
• 1982 – Married Lorenza Newton (Britannica (reference publication))
• 1985 – Started in special effects and makeup (Biography.com (reference site))
• 1993 – First feature film Cronos released (Britannica (reference publication))
• 2006 – Pan’s Labyrinth premieres, wins three Oscars (Britannica (reference publication))
• 2017 – The Shape of Water wins Best Picture and Best Director (Britannica (reference publication))
• 2022 – Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio wins Best Animated Feature (Britannica (reference publication))
• 2024 – Frankenstein project in development (The Hollywood Reporter (trade publication))

The pattern: Each milestone builds on the last, from special effects to Oscar-winning auteur.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Date of birth: October 9, 1964 (Britannica (reference publication))
• Birthplace: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (Britannica (reference publication))
• Raised by Catholic grandmother (IMDb (film database))
• Married Lorenza Newton in 1982; divorced in 2017 (Britannica (reference publication))
• Won 3 Academy Awards (Britannica (reference publication))
• No familial relation to Benicio del Toro (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))

What’s unclear

• Exact reason for Andrew Garfield leaving Frankenstein
• Current religious stance (lapsed Catholic or agnostic?)
• Net worth estimates vary widely
• Exorcism anecdote details remain unverified (IONCINEMA (film interview site))
• Father’s lottery prize amount not publicly disclosed

For a deeper look at the filmmaker’s career and awards, see our comprehensive Guillermo del Toro biography that explores his filmography and background.

Frequently asked questions