Rafael José
Encyclopedia
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. While living in Mayagüez he sang and acted in various amateur radio and television broadcasts, as well as in high school talent shows. His reputation as a powerful singer followed him to San Juan, Puerto Rico
, where he attended medical school. His family supported his singing career on the condition that he finished the dentistry
program at the University of Puerto Rico
's Medical School. He interrupted his studies for close to eight years when his singing career took off, but eventually finished his degree and became a dentist (although he rarely practices his profession nowadays).
He won the Festival OTI, in Argentina (1980), with his interpretation of Contigo Mujer, a song that was an instant hit all over the Puerto Rican radio
, composed by Ednita Nazario
, and Laureano Brizuela. Another radio hit was "Yo Quiero Hacerte Olvidar" was the theme song for the soap opera "Martha Llorens".
José's singing career did not go much further, but he soon began acting in telenovela
s and got a job co-hosting the Saturday night program A Millon in 1983, along with Hector Marcano
, & Sonia Noemí
, on WAPA-TV
. He proved to be a talented show host and lasted there a long time. During this time, he and his then wife, actress Magali Carrasquillo, had a son, Juan Pablo.
In 1986, José moved on to join future Senator Roberto Vigoreaux
in hosting another WAPA-TV game show, Sabado En Grande, when A Millón was moved to Sunday nights. During this time, he also performed with Antonio Sánchez
in several comedies like El Cuartel de la Risa
and Adultos Solteros. In the late 90s, he was hired by Univision
.
José then became a recognizable face with Latino
audiences with the movie showcase show Tu Pelicula. This experience helped him get cast to participate in Univision's show of Despierta America
, along with Mexico
's Fernando Arau
and Ana Maria Canseco
, Honduran
Neyda Sandoval
and fellow Puerto Rican Giselle Blondet
. In 1998, Jose covered the 1998 Fifa World Cup
as a commentator for Univision.
On 2005, he started hosting Univision's successful night show Anda Pa'l Cara
. Presently, 2007, he hosts Tu Universo Televisión on Puerto Rican television.
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...
television show host born in Manatí
Manatí
Manatí may refer to:*Manatí, Puerto Rico*Manatí, Atlántico in Atlantico, Colombia*Manatí, Cuba, a municipality in Las Tunas, CubaManatí is also the Spanish word for manatee.*See also: Special:Allpages/Manatí...
, 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...
, where his father, a physician born in the Dominican Republic
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...
, was the medical director of the local hospital. His family eventually moved to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
, where he was raised. While living in Mayagüez he sang and acted in various amateur radio and television broadcasts, as well as in high school talent shows. His reputation as a powerful singer followed him to 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...
, where he attended medical school. His family supported his singing career on the condition that he finished the dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
program at the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
's Medical School. He interrupted his studies for close to eight years when his singing career took off, but eventually finished his degree and became a dentist (although he rarely practices his profession nowadays).
He won the Festival OTI, in Argentina (1980), with his interpretation of Contigo Mujer, a song that was an instant hit all over the Puerto Rican radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
, composed by Ednita Nazario
Ednita Nazario
Ednita Nazario is a Puerto Rican singer and songwriter who has achieved stardom both at home and abroad. She has been in the music business from a young age, and has released over twenty albums throughout her career....
, and Laureano Brizuela. Another radio hit was "Yo Quiero Hacerte Olvidar" was the theme song for the soap opera "Martha Llorens".
José's singing career did not go much further, but he soon began acting in telenovela
Telenovela
A telenovela is a limited-run serial dramatic programming popular in Latin American, Portuguese, and Spanish television programming. The word combines tele, short for televisión or televisão , and novela, a Spanish or Portuguese word for "novel"...
s and got a job co-hosting the Saturday night program A Millon in 1983, along with Hector 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...
, & Sonia Noemí
Sonia Noemí
Sonia Noemi, "Sonia Noemí González" July 14, 1941, born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, is an actress and singer, who is one of the pioneers of Puerto Rican television.-Early years:...
, on 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....
. He proved to be a talented show host and lasted there a long time. During this time, he and his then wife, actress Magali Carrasquillo, had a son, Juan Pablo.
In 1986, José moved on to join future Senator Roberto Vigoreaux
Roberto Vigoreaux
Roberto Vigoreaux Lorenzana is a Puerto Rican media personality. He is a former senator, television producer, actor, singer, marketing executive, telecommunications technician and ice cream entrepreneur...
in hosting another WAPA-TV game show, Sabado En Grande, when A Millón was moved to Sunday nights. During this time, he also performed with Antonio Sánchez
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...
in several comedies like 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...
and Adultos Solteros. In the late 90s, he was hired by 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...
.
José then became a recognizable face with Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
audiences with the movie showcase show Tu Pelicula. This experience helped him get cast to participate in Univision's show of Despierta America
Despierta América
¡Despierta América! is a popular Spanish language morning show which has aired on the Univision television network since 1997. It is broadcast from the network's studios in Miami, Florida, and is hosted by Chiquinquirá Delgado, Poncho de Anda, Raúl González, and Karla Martínez. Satcha Pretto and...
, along with 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...
's Fernando Arau
Fernando Arau
Fernando Arau began his career at the age of 5, tap dancing with his parents. In his early twenties, he hosted a kids' TV show. In 1991 he starred in Alcanzar una estrella II alongside a young Ricky Martin...
and Ana Maria Canseco
Ana Maria Canseco
Rocío Ana Maria Canseco is a Mexican television personality living in the United States. Canseco was the co-host of the Univision morning talk show, Despierta América, which airs Monday through Friday for three hours. She also serves as a guest host on the network's afternoon talk show El Gordo y...
, Honduran
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
Neyda Sandoval
Neyda Sandoval
Neida Sandoval is a journalist and television news anchor.She enjoys horseriding, having grown up in her native Honduras. She is married to an American David Cochran...
and fellow Puerto Rican Giselle Blondet
Giselle Blondet
Giselle Blondet is a Puerto Rican actress and TV host.-Early history:Blondet was born Alba Giselle Blondet, to Victor Manuel Blondet and Alba Gomez, in New York City...
. In 1998, Jose covered the 1998 Fifa World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
as a commentator for Univision.
On 2005, he started hosting Univision's successful night show Anda Pa'l Cara
Anda Pa'l Cara
Anda Pa'l Cará was a Spanish-language television program, a late-night talk and variety show from Puerto Rico. It started in 2000 on WLII-TV Tele Once as a late night show with comedian Silverio Pérez as host, but has evolved into a more youth-oriented format with a focus on celebrity news and...
. Presently, 2007, he hosts Tu Universo Televisión on Puerto Rican television.
External links
Fundacion Nacional para la Cultura Popular biography Rafael José on the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...