Tucson Region

Albert Soto, actor, arts administrator, dies at 51

A generous spirit was second nature to Albert Soto. He gave of his talents, his energy, his support and time. Finally, when the 51-year-old actor and arts administrator died Saturday, he gave life to others by donating his organs. Soto suffered a massive stroke on Thanksgiving Day, and his family removed him from life support at St. Joseph's Hospital on Saturday. "Albert was very giving; he was fabulous," said Annabelle Nuñez, who first met Soto in the early 1990s, when he hired her to be his assistant at the Tucson Pima Arts Council. "He was selfless. He gave and gave and gave to the very end. He worked for the under-represented. He gave a voice for those who didn't have one. He was a friend, an advocate, a leader." Soto, a Tucson High and University of Arizona graduate, received fame in Tucson in his role as Lucifer in Borderlands Theater's annual production of "A Tucson Pastorela." He had been with the production since its beginnings 10 years ago, playing the same role with indulgent relish. When he made his grand entrance, cheers usually rose up in the theater. "A Tucson Pastorela" will continue this year without him, but the production will be dedicated to Soto. While his acting was visible, Soto did some of his best work behind the scenes, connecting artists with money and people. For a long time, he helped determine grant recipients through the Tucson Pima Arts Council. More recently, he had been in charge of the arts component of Art Works, an alternative education program the council runs with the Tucson Unified School District. He especially loved finding struggling artists on the edge artistically and giving them voice and support. "He cared very much about the arts," said Barclay Goldsmith, founder of Borderlands Theater and a longtime friend. "I think he wanted very much to have young artists flourish, particularly artists that were often on the margins. He wanted to help them find their voices and their passions. He was very concerned that grants be distributed to as many young and new voices as possible. "He was a dreamer. He was doing stuff nobody else was doing." HIs ironic sense of humor coupled with his passion made him a favorite among artists, art lovers and audiences, said Goldsmith. Soto's volunteer energies went beyond the arts. He worked for children's rights, particularly equity issues in TUSD, and for women's rights, said Nuñez. Earlier this year he was named volunteer of the year for the western region of Planned Parenthood. "He wanted justice in the world," she said. "This community is going to feel a great loss." Soto is survived by his parents, Frank and Irene Soto, his brother, Joey, and sister, Yolanda Bernal, all of Tucson. Service arrangements are pending.