Fernan Gomez's coffin was covered in an anarchist flag — at his request, although he was not known to be politically active — and placed beneath a large photo of the actor smiling while holding a newspaper in his hands. Argentine tango songs — his favorites_ played in the background.

I had no idea. I've loved Fernando Fernán Gómez since I saw him as the father in El Espiritu de la Colmena, and more as the sexy old father in Belle Epoque. I studied his early films, with seditious undertones. He was a red-head. I didn't know he was sick.... I passed his hospital twice a week by bus. I bought the IHT on Friday, no mention of him, although I haven't quite finished the paper. I would have, for the first time, lined-up and paid my tribute if I had know.

Mourners pay respects to Spanish actor Fernan Gomez in Madrid
The Associated Press - Thursday, November 22, 2007
MADRID, Spain
     Hundreds of mourners filed past the casket of Fernando Fernan Gomez in Madrid on Thursday to pay their last respects to one of Spain's most important filmmakers.
     Fans, colleagues from the Spanish cinema and theater world and politicians all gathered at Madrid's Teatro Espanol. The prolific actor, director and writer died Wednesday aged 86.
     Fernan Gomez's coffin was covered in an anarchist flag — at his request, although he was not known to be politically active — and placed beneath a large photo of the actor smiling while holding a newspaper in his hands. Argentine tango songs — his favorites_ played in the background.
     Known for his booming voice, stern and imposing physical presence and sometimes irascible temper, Fernan Gomez appeared in more than 200 films, directed another 20 and wrote novels, plays and poetry.
     Film critic Carlos Boyero, writing in leading Madrid daily El Pais, described Fernan Gomez as "the creator of some of the most unsettling and moving films of Spanish cinema."
     Lawmakers at the Spanish parliament applauded in a brief homage to the actor on Thursday morning.
     He was also a member of the Spanish Royal Academy, the official watchdog of the Spanish language.
     He is survived by his second wife, Spanish actress Emma Cohen, and his son Fernando and daughter Elena from his first marriage.