Introduction
Jake Canuso (born 13 January 1970) is an actor and dancer, who is best known for his role in the Benidorm-based British TV seriesBenidorm, in which he plays the Solana barmanMateo Castellanos.
Personal life
Canuso was born near Zurich, Switzerland, to immigrants from southern Italy. He moved to the UK when he was 18 years old.
Canuso survived the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004, whilst on holiday in Ko Phra Thong, Thailand. He climbed a tree after seeing the first waves, and was trapped underwater after the tree snapped. He developed aquaphobia and did not swim in water for several years.
Career
Previously a dancer, Canuso appeared dressed as a ballet dancer in the music video for 'No More I Love You's' by Annie Lennox. He also appeared in the video of Kakko's 1990 video 'We Should Be Dancing', Alex Party's 1995 hit single 'Don't Give Me Your Life' as well as the video for Carter USM's Let's Get Tattoos and 2 unlimited's 1995 hit, Here I go. Canuso also toured as a dancer for acts including the Spice Girls, Elton John and Annie Lennox. He also appeared as a dancer often on Top of the Pops.
Canuso can be seen dancing in the video for the 1994 hit 'Son of a Gun' by British dance DJ JX (also known as Jake Williams).
Canuso can also be seen in the music video for the Emma Bunton song "Crickets Sing for Anamaria".
Canuso stars in the ITV comedy series Benidorm as flirtatious barman Mateo Castellanos and is the sitcom's longest-serving actor, appearing in all 74 episodes. Canuso was chosen to star in Benidorm Live, a touring stage adaptation of the show.
In January 2013, Canuso participated in ITV diving show Splash!, hosted by Tom Daley.
Television acting
- Hustle (2004)
- Keen Eddie (2004)
- Heartbeat (2005)
- Casualty (2005)
- Doctors (2006)
- Suburban Shootout (2007)
- Shameless (2009)
- The Hour (2012)
- The Bible - Daniel (2013)
- Benidorm (2007–2018)
- Bad Education (2013)
- Cardinal Burns (2014)
- Scarborough (2019)
Guest appearances
- Spiceworld: The Tour — dancer (1998)
- Benidorm — DVD extras (2010)
- Buzz magazine — interviewee (2011)
- Louie Spence's Showbusiness (2011)
- OK! TV (2011)
- This Morning (2011)
- All Star Family Fortunes (series 6 episode 11, Christmas 2011)
- Loose Women (2012)
- This Morning (2012)
- Lorraine (2012)
- Celebrity Wedding Planner (2012)
- Splash! (2013)
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2014)
- The Chase (2014, repeated 2018)
- "Catchphrase" (2017)
Music videos
- Carter USM - Let's Get Tattoos (1994)
- JX - 'Son of a Gun' (1994)
- 2 unlimited - Here I go (1995)
- Alex Party - Don't Give Me Your Life (1995)
- Annie Lennox - No More I Love You's (1995)
- Emma Bunton - Crickets sing for Anamaria (2004)
- Kylie Minogue Give Me Just A Little More Time Let's Get To It (1991)
- Spice Girls Too Much (1997)
Video games
- Driver 3 (2004)