Pucho Fernández
Encyclopedia
Leopoldo "Pucho" Fernández II (September 2, 1927 - July 29, 2008) was a Cuban
-Puerto Rican
comedian
. He was the son of veteran Cuban comedian Leopoldo Fernández, known as Tres Patines.
. He started working theater in Cuba
when he was only 13 years old doing several minor jobs behind the curtains. However, he quickly started performing with his father in his show La Tremenda Corte.
In 1954, he came to Puerto Rico
and was quickly hired as floor coordinator for Telemundo
due to his knowledge of both English
and Spanish
. He was also the technical coordinator of El caso de la mujer asesinadita, one of the first Puerto Rican telenovelas. He also worked with producers Henry Lafont, Gaspar Pumarejo, Luis Vigoreaux
, Marta Silva, and Fernando Hidalgo. Later on, he started performing comedy sketches in El Show del Mediodía at WAPA-TV
.
One of Fernández' more famous roles was in El Barrio Cuatro Calles, where he played the role of Pepón, one of the owners of two bakeries located one in front of the other both competing for customers and sales. Later on, the comedy took another route where Fernández' character became "Superpan", a superhero
spoof
like Chespirito's Chapulín Colorado (Mexico
).
In the late 80s, Fernández worked in El Cuartel de la Risa
, another sitcom that took place in a police station
, starring Carmen Dominicci
, Rafael José
, and Antonio Sánchez "El Gangster"
. Other characters he was known for were Machito Pichón, Poncito, Cabo Blanco, and 20/20 (a Latin version of Mr. Magoo
). Later, he collaborated in shows like Con Lo Que Cuenta Este País
and intervened in some of Héctor Marcano
's shows.
Fernández was also a stand-up comedian, screenwriter
, and director
. In his late years, he retired and dedicated himself to writing.
Fernández died on July 29, 2008 at a retirement home
in San Juan, Puerto Rico
. He died of pulmonar emphysema
because of his cigarette
addiction. Fernández son, Leo Fernández III is a known reporter and paparazzo in Puerto Rico
.
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
-Puerto Rican
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
. He was the son of veteran Cuban comedian Leopoldo Fernández, known as Tres Patines.
Biography
Fernández was born on September 2, 1927 in La Habana, CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. He started working theater in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
when he was only 13 years old doing several minor jobs behind the curtains. However, he quickly started performing with his father in his show La Tremenda Corte.
In 1954, he came to 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...
and was quickly hired as floor coordinator for Telemundo
Telemundo
Telemundo is an American television network that broadcasts in Spanish. The network is the second-largest Spanish-language content producer in the world, and the second-largest Spanish-language network in the United States, behind Univision....
due to his knowledge of both English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
. He was also the technical coordinator of El caso de la mujer asesinadita, one of the first Puerto Rican telenovelas. He also worked with producers Henry Lafont, Gaspar Pumarejo, Luis Vigoreaux
Luis Vigoreaux
Luis Vigoreaux Rivera was a Puerto Rican radio and television show host, announcer, comedian and producer. The son of a sugar worker, Vigoreaux became one of the most popular television entertainers in Puerto Rico's history....
, Marta Silva, and Fernando Hidalgo. Later on, he started performing comedy sketches in El Show del Mediodía at WAPA-TV
WAPA-TV
WAPA-TV is an independent television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over digital channel 27, virtual channel 4. The station is owned by InterMedia Partners and is branded as WAPA Television....
.
One of Fernández' more famous roles was in El Barrio Cuatro Calles, where he played the role of Pepón, one of the owners of two bakeries located one in front of the other both competing for customers and sales. Later on, the comedy took another route where Fernández' character became "Superpan", a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
spoof
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
like Chespirito's Chapulín Colorado (Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
).
In the late 80s, Fernández worked in El Cuartel de la Risa
El Cuartel de la Risa
El Cuartel de la Risa was a Puerto Rican comedy show broadcast on WSTE. It was one of the most successful comedy shows during its run.The show revolved around what happened in a generic police station in the fictional town of Trujillo Bajo, Puerto Rico...
, another sitcom that took place in a police station
Police station
A police station or station house is a building which serves to accommodate police officers and other members of staff. These buildings often contain offices and accommodation for personnel and vehicles, along with locker rooms, temporary holding cells and interview/interrogation rooms.- Facilities...
, starring Carmen Dominicci
Carmen Dominicci
Carmen Lourdes Dominicci Ramos is a news anchor, television reporter and PSA representative.-Career:...
, Rafael José
Rafael José
Dr. Rafael José Diaz is a Puerto Rican television show host born in Manatí, Puerto Rico, where his father, a physician born in the Dominican Republic, was the medical director of the local hospital. His family eventually moved to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, where he was raised...
, and Antonio Sánchez "El Gangster"
Antonio Sánchez (Puerto Rican host)
Antonio Sánchez is a Puerto Rican radio and television personality, show host and producer. Very famous across Puerto Rico for his crass humor, he is also known for his nickname: El Gangster...
. Other characters he was known for were Machito Pichón, Poncito, Cabo Blanco, and 20/20 (a Latin version of Mr. Magoo
Mr. Magoo
Quincy Magoo is a cartoon character created at the UPA animation studio in 1949. Voiced by Jim Backus, Quincy Magoo is a wealthy, short-statured retiree who gets into a series of sticky situations as a result of his nearsightedness, compounded by his stubborn refusal to admit the problem...
). Later, he collaborated in shows like Con Lo Que Cuenta Este País
Con Lo Que Cuenta Este País
Con Lo Que Cuenta Este País was a popular Puerto Rican comedy sitcom that capitalized on the popularity of its main character named Chevy Con Lo Que Cuenta Este País (in English, What The Country's Counting On) was a popular Puerto Rican comedy sitcom that capitalized on the popularity of its main...
and intervened in some of Héctor Marcano
Hector Marcano
Hector Marcano is a Puerto Rican comedian, producer, and game show host in Puerto Rico.Hector Marcano was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on November 3, 1956. Marcano's career took off after Luis Vigoreaux's death...
's shows.
Fernández was also a stand-up comedian, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, and director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. In his late years, he retired and dedicated himself to writing.
Fernández died on July 29, 2008 at a retirement home
Retirement home
A retirement home is a multi-residence housing facility intended for senior citizens. Typically each person or couple in the home has an apartment-style room or suite of rooms. Additional facilities are provided within the building, including facilities for meals, gathering, recreation, and some...
in San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. He died of pulmonar emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
because of his cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
addiction. Fernández son, Leo Fernández III is a known reporter and paparazzo in 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...
.
External links
- Death news in WAPA-TVWAPA-TVWAPA-TV is an independent television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over digital channel 27, virtual channel 4. The station is owned by InterMedia Partners and is branded as WAPA Television....
- Muere el actor Pucho Fernandez in Primera HoraPrimera HoraPrimera Hora is a newspaper based in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and distributed daily throughout the island.The newspaper is characterized by its light format and easy reading. Its tagline is "Easy to read".- History :...