Pepón Nieto never thought of himself as a natural actor. Still, few Spanish performers have made such a mark across the country’s entertainment world. He once arrived in Madrid with only a street map. Now he leads in La pasión infinita and is preparing for a new film with Álex de la Iglesia. For Nieto, acting is only part of the story. The roads tie his life together.
His biggest journey started at nineteen. He left San Pedro de Alcántara for Madrid. First, he drove with his father to look for a flat. Then he took the train alone. That trip set the pace for a life built on moving and starting over. “I always thought I could go back,” he says. “But when I got on that train, I knew I wouldn’t.” Madrid became the place where everything happened, good and bad.
Nieto is confirmed as a leading figure in the play La pasión infinita, which runs at Bilbao's Arriaga Theatre from September 17 to 20, 2026. The cast includes Claudio Tolcachir and Ana Labordeta, alongside Avelino Piedad.
Nieto’s bond with cars and bikes is as strong as his tie to the stage. He learned to lead out of necessity, running errands for his father’s bar in a white Ford Transit before he even had a license. Years later, money from a single ad campaign bought him his first BMW X5. It felt like a dream come true. Each vehicle marks a chapter: a black Vespa 125 from his youth came first. The X5 was part of his time on Periodistas, and he drove an Audi Q7 while filming Los hombres de Paco. Each one fits a different part of his life.
Nieto feels calm behind the wheel. He hates being a passenger and gets nervous unless he’s driving. He enjoys the long lead between Madrid and Cádiz, stopping at favorite roadside places to watch the world go by. “If not for coffee or fuel, I could lead from Madrid to Cádiz in one go,” he says.
He loves motorcycles just as much. In Madrid, his bike is his way out of traffic and stress. It gives him a view of the city that a car never can. “On a bike, you always find a way forward,” he says. From a bike, the city looks different. Every street and face could hold a story.
Spain's DGT reported that 15 people lost their lives on Spanish roads over the weekend of September 13 to 14, 2026. They included 8 motorcyclists and 1 cyclist. New, stricter road safety rules for motorcyclists and cyclists are set to take effect on October 1, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety for vulnerable road users.
Nieto’s career is full of everyday men, from policemen to waiters. One of his best-known roles is Mariano Moreno in Los hombres de Paco. He sees himself in Mariano’s careful driving. Other roles, like Cucho from El tiempo de la felicidad, would be a danger on the road. After decades of driving, Nieto has a clean record: no accidents and no insurance claims. He’s known for being careful, something insurance companies must notice.
For Nieto, travel is more than a job requirement. It inspires him. These days, he listens to podcasts more than music on solo trips. The car becomes a place for private conversations and quiet thought, even arguments. If he could pick anyone for a long lead, he’d take his late father and brother. His mother, still the center of his life, would be there too.
Getting recognized on the road is a mixed bag. Nieto doesn’t hide, but he doesn’t look for attention either. Most people are friendly, though sometimes he just wants to blend in. The views that stay with him are the ones seen from a window. The Alpujarra granadina stands out as one of Spain’s best drives.
His suitcase is always packed for the next tour. He always brings a swimsuit, no matter the season, in case there’s a pool or spa at a hotel. If he had to choose between a big premiere and a last-minute lead along the coast, he’d pick the road every time. The nerves before opening night never go away, but the joy of a lead with no plan never gets old.
When asked how a film about his life should end, Nieto says he’d want to be seen walking into a theater, not leaving. For him, stepping onto the stage means the story goes on. There are still roles to play and roads to travel.
Even after years of touring Spain, he says there’s always another village or hidden road to find. Every new project is a new map. Every trip is a chance to see Spain with fresh eyes. As reported earlier, the meaning of travel and movement goes far beyond politics or fame. For Nieto, moving on stage or screen, or behind the wheel, shapes his work and who he is. This restless lead is more than a habit. It’s a quiet statement: in Spain, the journey matters as much as the destination. For some, it never really ends.
