Nelson de la Rosa
Encyclopedia
Nelson Aquino de la Rosa (September 6, 1968 – October 22, 2006), a.k.a. Mahow, was one of the shortest men of the 20th and 21st centuries and an actor from the Dominican Republic
. Nelson measured 71 centimeters tall (about 2 feet 4 inches).
made in Dominican Republic called Ratman
. During the 1990s Nelson continued his path to international success by becoming a staple guest at Venevision
's television show Súper Sábado Sensacional in Venezuela
, and, later on, he would be invited as a guest to Don Francisco
's show, Sábado Gigante
, and to other Univision
shows. His popularity took him to other Hispanic
countries such as Argentina
, where he featured several times in Susana Giménez
show, Puerto Rico
, Mexico, Spain and others. He married, and had a son.
He had a minor role in the Hollywood production, The Island of Dr. Moreau
, where he shared lines with Marlon Brando
, among others. This role is said to be the inspiration for the Austin Powers
movie character, "Mini-Me
" as well as Kevin who accompanies Dr. Alphonse Mephisto in South Park
. Another very popular appearance was in the video for the song Coolo by the Argentine hip hop group Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas
. De la Rosa had been approached by many American media operators and television shows, such as ESPN
and others, for a feature about his life. So far, however, no plans to film a documentary about him have been completed.
pitcher and fellow Dominican, Pedro Martínez
, who began to take de la Rosa to playoff games as a good luck charm during the 2004 MLB
playoffs. He was often referred to as "Pedro's Midget."
He was a main attraction in the "Hermanos Mazzini" and "Las Águilas Humanas" circuses, which marketed him as the Guinness World Record-holder for world's smallest man at 54 cm (21.25 inches), though this organization does not endorse this claim.
While no official diagnosis of the cause of de la Rosa's short stature is known, it has been speculated that he was born with the genetic syndrome MOPD II (microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism
type II). The primary symptoms of the syndrome include extreme proportional short stature, as well as distinct facial features similar to those exhibited by Nelson de la Rosa. A recent documentary by Granada Television highlighting the syndrome was aired on TLC several times in 2006. There are approximately 100 known cases of MOPD II in the world at this time, spread throughout various races and ethnic backgrounds. He also went by the American name of Phil Stone while acting in the U.S.
, USA, reportedly from heart failure. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer De Leonel, and nine-year-old son. His remains were transferred to the Dominican Republic, and buried in the Cristo Redentor cemetery
.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. Nelson measured 71 centimeters tall (about 2 feet 4 inches).
Acting career
De la Rosa starred in a 1987 feature Italian horror filmHorror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
made in Dominican Republic called Ratman
Ratman
Ratman is a 1988 Italian exploitation film directed by Giuliano Carnimeo.-Cast:* David Warbeck - Fred Williams* Antonio Colonnello - Fred Williams * Janet Ågren - Terry...
. During the 1990s Nelson continued his path to international success by becoming a staple guest at Venevision
Venevisión
Venevisión is one of Venezuela's largest television networks and a Venezuelan cable and terrestrial television network, which is owned and presided over by Gustavo Cisneros...
's television show Súper Sábado Sensacional in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, and, later on, he would be invited as a guest to Don Francisco
Don Francisco (television host)
Mario Luis Kreutzberger Blumenfeld , better known by his stage name, Don Francisco, is a Chilean television personality, and a popular television personality on the Univision network reaching Spanish-speaking viewers in the United States...
's show, Sábado Gigante
Sábado Gigante
Sábado Gigante is a Spanish-language television show that is Univision's longest-running program and the longest-running variety TV show in the world. Sábado Gigante is an eclectic and frenetic mix of various contests, human-interest stories, and live entertainment...
, and to other Univision
Univision
Univision is a Spanish-language television network in the United States. It has the largest audience of Spanish language television viewers according to Nielsen ratings. Randy Falco, COO, has been in charge of the company since the departure of Univision Communications president and CEO Joe Uva...
shows. His popularity took him to other Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
countries such as Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, where he featured several times in Susana Giménez
Susana Giménez
Susana Giménez, née María Susana Giménez Aubert is an Argentine actress, ex-vedette and television host....
show, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, Mexico, Spain and others. He married, and had a son.
He had a minor role in the Hollywood production, The Island of Dr. Moreau
The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996 film)
The Island of Dr. Moreau is a 1996 science fiction horror film, the third major movie version of the H. G. Wells novel The Island of Doctor Moreau about a scientist who attempts to convert animals into people...
, where he shared lines with Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
, among others. This role is said to be the inspiration for the Austin Powers
Austin Powers (film series)
The Austin Powers series is a series of action-comedy films written by and starring Mike Myers as the title character, directed by Jay Roach and distributed by New Line Cinema...
movie character, "Mini-Me
Mini-Me
Mini-Me is a character played by Verne Troyer in the second and third Austin Powers movies: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Austin Powers in Goldmember.-History:...
" as well as Kevin who accompanies Dr. Alphonse Mephisto in South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
. Another very popular appearance was in the video for the song Coolo by the Argentine hip hop group Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas
Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas
Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas was an Argentine funk duo formed in 1991 by Dante Spinetta and Emmanuel Horvilleur. In 2001 Dante and Emmanuel split to continue their solo careers...
. De la Rosa had been approached by many American media operators and television shows, such as ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and others, for a feature about his life. So far, however, no plans to film a documentary about him have been completed.
Life
De la Rosa befriended then Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
pitcher and fellow Dominican, Pedro Martínez
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
, who began to take de la Rosa to playoff games as a good luck charm during the 2004 MLB
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
playoffs. He was often referred to as "Pedro's Midget."
He was a main attraction in the "Hermanos Mazzini" and "Las Águilas Humanas" circuses, which marketed him as the Guinness World Record-holder for world's smallest man at 54 cm (21.25 inches), though this organization does not endorse this claim.
While no official diagnosis of the cause of de la Rosa's short stature is known, it has been speculated that he was born with the genetic syndrome MOPD II (microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism
Primordial Dwarfism
Primordial dwarfism is a form of dwarfism that results in a smaller body size in all stages of life beginning from before birth. More specifically, primordial dwarfism is a diagnostic category including specific types of profoundly proportionate dwarfism, in which individuals are extremely small...
type II). The primary symptoms of the syndrome include extreme proportional short stature, as well as distinct facial features similar to those exhibited by Nelson de la Rosa. A recent documentary by Granada Television highlighting the syndrome was aired on TLC several times in 2006. There are approximately 100 known cases of MOPD II in the world at this time, spread throughout various races and ethnic backgrounds. He also went by the American name of Phil Stone while acting in the U.S.
Death
He died at the age of 38, October 22, 2006 in Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, USA, reportedly from heart failure. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer De Leonel, and nine-year-old son. His remains were transferred to the Dominican Republic, and buried in the Cristo Redentor cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
.
External links
Videos of Nelson de la Rosa- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvwpSm0BL-g&feature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfIY7SI3-us
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C58FyBiZYHY&feature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHaepRaypcY&feature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XVJ4JghoVI&feature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTRjwJ3-w6E&feature=related