"Chespirito" Dies: Mexican Legend Dead At 85.

[Carlos Baez]

Rating: En Fuego™

Roberto Gómez Bolaños has passed away at the age of 85. "Chespirito" died of a heart attack and his passing ocurred on Friday, November 28th, as it was confirmed on-air by respected journalist Lolita Ayala during her news show at 2:50 p.m. (CST). The legendary comedian died in Cancún, Mexico, after reports that his health condition began to deteriorate last April. A close source to the family have told Mexican media  back then that doctors had lost hope of a full recovery. "Mr. Roberto is very ill but stable, the doctors say, who have already informed the family that there is no hope of recovery and to brace themselves for the worst," the insider said. Bolaños' son, Roberto Gómez Fernández, revealed a couple days ago that his father was stable but has lost mobility: "My father is fine but with a greater difficulty in moving."

Roberto Gómez Bolaños is a famous Mexican writer and actor known worldwide mainly for his characters "El Chavo del 8" and "El Chapulín Colorado." He was born in Mexico City in 1929 and studied engineering but never worked in that field. He found his passion for writing screenplays and scripts for television and radio with his work being featured in shows like "Cómicos y Canciones" and "El Estudio De Pedro Vargas." It was around this same time where he gained his nickname of "Chespirito" when director Agustin Delgado said he was a "Little Shakespeare" or "Shakespearito." In 1968 he signed a contract with Televisión Independiente de México where he was given a Saturday afternoon timeslot to expose his talent in sketches and comedy. This timeframe proved to be so popular the network moved him to Monday night and the legend was born. 

"El Chavo del 8" has been his most recognized character where he plays a homeless kid that lives in a barrel in the middle of an apartment complex. The white humor and the hilarious neighbors like La Chilindrina, Don Ramón, Doña Florinda, Quico, Jaimito El Cartero and La Bruja Del 71 are engraved not only in Mexican culture but throughout Latin America. The show ran for 25 years but reruns are continuously broadcasted with great ratings. In recent years and to revive the "El Chavo" legacy and animated series was created that proved to be successful and has subsequently spawned a line of toys and most recently a go-kart video game.