Chespirito

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Chespirito
PseudonymChespirito
Birth nameRoberto Gómez Bolaños
Born(1929-02-21)21 February 1929
Mexico City, Mexico
Died28 November 2014(2014-11-28) (aged 85)
Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
MediumTelevision, movies, music, theatre, comic books
Years active1958–2006
GenresPhysical comedy, sitcom, satire
Subject(s)Children, language, superheroes, social issues
Spouse
Graciela Fernandez (m. 1968–1989)

Florinda Meza (m. 2004–2014)
Notable works and rolesChespirito
El Chapulín Colorado
El Chavo del Ocho
Websitewww.chespirito.org

Chespirito (born Roberto Gómez Bolaños, February 21, 1929 – November 28, 2014) was a Mexican writer, actor, director, comedian, humorist, songwriter and poet.[1]

He was known for writing, directing, and starring in the Chespirito (1968-1995), El Chavo del Ocho (1971-1980), and El Chapulín Colorado (1972-1981) television series. The character of El Chavo is one of the most iconic in the history of Latin American television. El Chavo del Ocho is still popular. It has been watched every day by 91 million people per episode.[2]

Early life[change | change source]

Chespirito was born on February 21, 1929 in Mexico City, Mexico. His parents were Francisco Gómez Linares and Elsa Bolaños Cacho Aguilar. His brother Horacio was also an actor. Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz Bolaños was his cousin once removed.

Early career[change | change source]

Before becoming an actor, Chespirito was a small-time boxer. He wanted to be a engineer, so he studied at National Autonomous University of Mexico. Chespirito also wrote some plays before he started acting. His stage name, "Chespirito", was given to him by a producer during Chespirito's first years as a writer. The nickname means "Little Shakespeare".[3]

Personal life[change | change source]

Chespirito's first wife was Graciela Fernandez. They married in 1968. They had six children. They divorced in 1989.

In 2004, Chespirito married his co-star and long-time partner, actress Florinda Meza.

Chespirito was a member of the National Action Party (PAN).

Death[change | change source]

On November 28, 2014, Chespirito died from heart failure as a complication of Parkinson's disease at the age of 85, in Cancún, Quintana Roo.[4][5] His funeral was held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on November 30, 2014. He is buried at Panteón Francés, in Mexico City.[6]

References[change | change source]

  1. Mora, Carl J. (1989). Mexican cinema: reflections of a society, 1896-1980. University of California Press. p. 162. ISBN 9780520043046.
  2. "Meet El Chavo, The World's Most Famous (And Richest) Orphan". Forbes. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  3. Benedetti, Ana Maria (28 November 2014). "10 Things You Didn't Know About 'El Chavo Del Ocho'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
  4. Tinoco, Armando (28 November 2014). "Roberto Gómez Bolaños 'Chespirito' Dies: Mexican Legend Dead At 85 From Heart Failure". Latin Times.
  5. "Murió Roberto Gómez Bolaños, 'Chespirito'". Noticieros Televisa. Archived from the original on 2014-11-30. Retrieved 2014-11-29.
  6. "'Chespirito,' beloved Mexican comedian who made a generation laugh, dead at 85". Fox News. 30 November 2014. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.

Bibliography[change | change source]

  • Gómez Bolaños, Roberto (2007). Sin querer queriendo. Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial México. ISBN 9786071110565.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to Chespirito at Wikimedia Commons