A Love That Transcended the Stage
The series Moria, released on August 14 on Netflix, has brought Mario Castiglione back into the spotlight. He was the actor and theater producer who was the partner of Moria Casán, one of Argentina's most iconic entertainment figures, and the father of her only daughter, Sofía Gala. This biographical series not only revives the story of the Argentine diva but also rescues from memory a man who left his mark on the world of theater and national comedy.
Born in 1946 in Los Hornos, La Plata (a city near Buenos Aires), Castiglione trained as an actor under the guidance of the renowned Alejandra Boero. His career was primarily linked to theater, where he directed the Teatro Independiente de La Plata and was part of the Comedia Provincial and the Teatro Municipal General San Martín. His versatility led him to venture into comedy, joining the group I Medici Concert in the late 1970s.
A Love Story That Began in the Late '70s
The love story between Moria and Mario began in the late 1970s, when the vedette (a glamorous showgirl) was still married to businessman Carlos Sextón. In one of her many interviews, Moria recalled the exact moment of the spark: “Mario came from a bohemian life, he was very cultured, a lover of politics. He was a very open-minded guy, and conservative at the same time, just how I like them. One day he walked into my dressing room and told me he was in love. That's how our relationship began.”
The couple married in the early 1980s, and in 1987, their daughter Sofía Gala was born—the only child from their union and Moria's only daughter. The baby arrived via cesarean section, weighing 3.3 kilograms and measuring 49 centimeters.
A Farewell That Marked a Before and After
In 2025, during her television show, Moria was moved to tears as she recalled the final moments of her ex-partner's life. “Year 1999, this isn't avant-garde, this is televised truth, it's exposing my heart to the public,” the host began with a breaking voice.
The story continued with a pain that still lingers: “The truth has wonderful things, but also dark ones—two people were leaving my life, Castiglione was dying, he had a few months left to live. He died in 2000, I was already aware of his illness.”
During those days, despite his weakness, Mario would visit her on the set of La noche de Moria (Moria's Night). “He would come to see me in a wheelchair. It's tough because he wanted to see me; a friend would bring him and he would stay watching from the side. I had to do a show, but it felt strange to see him so weakened,” the diva confessed.
Key Facts of the Story
| Birth | 1946, Los Hornos, La Plata |
| Marriage to Moria | 1986 - 1990 |
| Birth of Sofía Gala | 1987 |
| Death | May 21, 2000, at age 54 |
| Cause of death | Colon cancer |
| Children | Two from a previous relationship and Raúl with Moria |
A Legacy That Lives On Through Sofía Gala
Despite their separation, Moria always highlighted Mario's loyalty and his fundamental role in her becoming a mother. “I never asked him for money because he was a good man in my life. Maybe he fell in love with Ana María Casanova (her real name) and couldn't handle Moria Casán, so he fought me a lot, but he gave me my daughter, a family; he was very loyal.”
She concluded with gratitude: “I thank Mario for giving me Sofía, a family. I have beautiful grandchildren, I'm still working, healthy and happy.” His legacy undoubtedly continues through Sofía Gala, who indirectly honors him by portraying her mother in the early episodes of the series.
In the Netflix biopic, Marco Antonio Caponi plays Mario Castiglione. The actor shared that Sofía Gala herself was key to building his character: “When I arrived on set with this proposal—that he was the funny guy who laughed at everything—Sofía saw me, got emotional, and laughed about it,” Caponi revealed on the show Sería increíble on Olga (an Argentine streaming platform).
Moria's daughter shared intimate memories of her father with the actor, allowing him to bring to life a sensitive and loving man. “She would tell me, 'My dad used to do this,' 'My dad liked to do that,'” he recalled.
“Without a doubt, Mario Castiglione, who left me my beloved daughter Sofía,” Moria said when asked which of her partners had given her the most.
The series Moria is now available on Netflix and has become one of the platform's most-watched premieres, telling the story of one of the most iconic figures in Argentine entertainment.