Tommy Muñiz
Encyclopedia
Lucas Tomás Muñiz Ramírez (February 4, 1922 – January 15, 2009), better known as Tommy Muñiz, was a Puerto Rican
comedy and drama actor
, media producer, businessman and network owner. He is considered to be one of the pioneering figures of the television business in Puerto Rico
.
on February 4, 1922, to Don Tomás Muñíz Souffront
and Monserrate "Nena" Ramírez. His father, Don Tomás, was a marketing executive who later became the administrator (and eventual owner) of various radio stations, as well as a radio producer.
Although Muñíz was born in Ponce, he was raised in the capital city of San Juan
where he studied. Muñíz developed an interest in the entertainment business thanks to his father and to his uncle and godfather
Félix Muñíz, who also produced radio programs. He started by being the messenger of the marketing firm where his father and uncle used to work, and eventually became a radio scriptwriter.
- would consistently earn a strong following, as judged by the attendance to personal presentations of the artists featured in them. He was responsible for introducing more than a dozen new artists to the medium.
and Muñiz, among others.
He is credited for producing most of José Miguel Agrelot
's television programs during his career. He is also credited with discovering and promoting other television artists as well, particularly Otilio Warrington
.
), a pet shop in San Juan, a zoo (Monoloro) in Carolina
, a thoroughbred stable, and a summer camp for children ("Camp Gualí"). He later delegated many of the administrative functions of his production company as to concentrate in scriptwriting and acting.
. The lackluster performance of these programs as measured by television ratings contrasted significantly with the enormous success of his comedy productions. As a result, decisions were made to reduce the number of novelas produced and cut the company's payroll. As a consequence, at least one local actor, Jose Reymundi, lost his job. As a result, in November 1973, Puerto Rico witnessed one of the largest labor disputes between the local Actors Union and Tommy Muñiz Productions.
In solidarity with Reymundi, seven actors left Muñiz's productions demanding fringe benefits from the company. Production on Muñiz's programs stopped for two weeks, with many unionized technicians joining the protesting actors at the picket line. The actors then formed Astra, an actors' conglomerate inspired by the origins of United Artists
. Astra produced the experimental television programs Ahí va eso (There Goes That) and Sin ton ni son (No tune no beat). The conglomerate dissolved shortly after. The strike left a lasting impression in Muñiz that sent him into a depression. Some of Astra's actors eventually reconciled with Muñiz.
In the late 1970s, Muñiz revived a comedy format that he had successfully used in three previous radio and television productions, the family sitcom. He produced and acted in a comedy series named Los García
together with his real-life son Rafo Muñiz
, and with longtime friend Gladys Rodríguez
. The show became the most successful television
show on Puerto Rican history, having a mostly successful six-year run and staying for three of those years at the top of local television ratings.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Muñiz was the owner of a radio station (Radio WLUZ) and a television channel (Teleluz
). Both were named after his wife, Luz María. In 1988, he became one of the largest minority owners of another channel, TeleOnce
.
Lo que le Pasó a Santiago
, directed by Jacobo Morales
, a longtime friend of Muñíz. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
becoming the first and only Puerto Rican film so far to do so.
As a consequence of his part in Lo que le Pasó a Santiago
, Muñiz was selected to act in the 1991 television comedy film Crazy From The Heart, directed by Thomas Schlamme and featuring Christine Lahti
and Rubén Blades
. In the movie, Muñiz played Blades' father, a Mexican peasant with a proclivity for setting billboards on fire as a protest. The movie was eventually broadcasted by Turner Network Television (TNT).
), Ruby, Hilda, Mario, Luzie, Tomito, Manolo, Pedro and Antonio (Toño). Rafo and Pedro are both well-known actors and producers; Pedro directed a dramatic film, Cayo. Manolo was a Roman Catholic priest before his untimely death in July 1995.
Tommy Muñíz died January 15, 2009 in Hato Rey
, Puerto Rico.. Luz María García de la Noceda died a day after her 87th. birthday, on October 21, 2011.
Tommy Muñiz's life is described in two books: an autobiography named "Así he vivido" ("That's the way I've lived") and "¡Juan, Juan, Juan! Crónicas de la televisión en tiempos de don Tommy" by Puerto Rican author Beba García.
Television productions
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...
comedy and drama actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, media producer, businessman and network owner. He is considered to be one of the pioneering figures of the television business 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...
.
Early years
Muñiz Ramírez was born in Ponce, Puerto RicoPonce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
on February 4, 1922, to Don Tomás Muñíz Souffront
Tomas Muñiz
Tomás Muñiz Souffront was a well known Puerto Rican radio and television producer. He is sometimes respectfully called by the general public in Puerto Rico as Don Tomás Muñiz, to differentiate him from his namesake and son, Tommy MuñizAs a young man, Tomás Muñiz worked as a real estate agent, and...
and Monserrate "Nena" Ramírez. His father, Don Tomás, was a marketing executive who later became the administrator (and eventual owner) of various radio stations, as well as a radio producer.
Although Muñíz was born in Ponce, he was raised in the capital city of San Juan
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 studied. Muñíz developed an interest in the entertainment business thanks to his father and to his uncle and godfather
Godparent
A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
Félix Muñíz, who also produced radio programs. He started by being the messenger of the marketing firm where his father and uncle used to work, and eventually became a radio scriptwriter.
Radio producer
Muñiz was a very successful radio producer in Puerto Rico during the mid- to late 1940s. Five of his radio programs -comedies for which he was often the scriptwriter, sometimes with the assistance of Sylvia RexachSylvia Rexach
Sylvia Rexach , was a comedy scriptwriter, poet, singer and composer of boleros .-Early years:Rexach was born and raised in Santurce, Puerto Rico. There she attended public school and received her primary education...
- would consistently earn a strong following, as judged by the attendance to personal presentations of the artists featured in them. He was responsible for introducing more than a dozen new artists to the medium.
Television producer
During the first years of commercial television in Puerto Rico, and after a brief period during which revenues from his radio productions trickled down, Muñiz opted to start producing television programs as well. He was producer or executive producer for dozens of television programs and specials between 1955 and 1995. At one time in the early 1960s, five programs produced by Muñiz were in the top five television rankings in local audience surveys. One of the programs even spawned a 1967 film, "La Criada Malcriada", starring Velda González, Shorty CastroShorty Castro
Israel Castro, better known as Shorty Castro is a Puerto Rican comedian, comedy writer and musician, with a career spanning over 60 years. He is regarded as one of the best stage directors in Puerto Rican comedy...
and Muñiz, among others.
He is credited for producing most of José Miguel Agrelot
José Miguel Agrelot
Giuseppe Michael Agrelot , better known as José Miguel Agrelot, was a comedian, radio and television host and media icon in Puerto Rico...
's television programs during his career. He is also credited with discovering and promoting other television artists as well, particularly Otilio Warrington
Otilio Warrington
Otilio Warrington, known popularly as Bizcocho is a comedian, best known for his roles of "Bizcocho" and "Cuca Gómez".-Early years:...
.
Other enterprises
At one time or another, Muñiz also owned a restaurant (La Campana) in CayeyCayey, Puerto Rico
Cayey is a mountain town in central Puerto Rico located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas and Guayama; south of Cidra and Caguas; east of Aibonito and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo...
), a pet shop in San Juan, a zoo (Monoloro) in Carolina
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Carolina is a city located in the northern part of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; it lies north of Gurabo and Juncos; east of Trujillo Alto and San Juan; and west of Canóvanas and Loíza. Carolina is spread over 12 wards plus Carolina Pueblo...
, a thoroughbred stable, and a summer camp for children ("Camp Gualí"). He later delegated many of the administrative functions of his production company as to concentrate in scriptwriting and acting.
Actors labor dispute
Muñiz was persuaded by his executive staff to produce Spanish soap operas, known as novelasNovelas
Novelas is the fifth compilation album by brazilian rock band Os Paralamas do Sucesso. This compilation gathers together the band's tunes written for brazilian soap opera soundtracks .-Track listing:#Aonde Quer Que Eu Vá#Lanterna Dos Afogados...
. The lackluster performance of these programs as measured by television ratings contrasted significantly with the enormous success of his comedy productions. As a result, decisions were made to reduce the number of novelas produced and cut the company's payroll. As a consequence, at least one local actor, Jose Reymundi, lost his job. As a result, in November 1973, Puerto Rico witnessed one of the largest labor disputes between the local Actors Union and Tommy Muñiz Productions.
In solidarity with Reymundi, seven actors left Muñiz's productions demanding fringe benefits from the company. Production on Muñiz's programs stopped for two weeks, with many unionized technicians joining the protesting actors at the picket line. The actors then formed Astra, an actors' conglomerate inspired by the origins of United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
. Astra produced the experimental television programs Ahí va eso (There Goes That) and Sin ton ni son (No tune no beat). The conglomerate dissolved shortly after. The strike left a lasting impression in Muñiz that sent him into a depression. Some of Astra's actors eventually reconciled with Muñiz.
In the late 1970s, Muñiz revived a comedy format that he had successfully used in three previous radio and television productions, the family sitcom. He produced and acted in a comedy series named Los García
Los García
Los García was a Puerto Rican television comedy sitcom from the 1970s. Shown weekly on Ricavision channel 7, it depicted the life of a fictional family called Los García. The family was based on a real life family...
together with his real-life son Rafo Muñiz
Rafo Muñiz
Rafo Muñiz is a Puerto Rican actor, comedian, director and, more notably, producer of television shows and concerts.The son of legendary comic actor and producer Tommy Muñiz and brother of Pedro Muñiz; who is also a producer and actor, Rafo began acting as the young neighbor of M\"Miguel" in ...
, and with longtime friend Gladys Rodríguez
Gladys Rodríguez
Gladys Rodríguez born June 4, 1943 in Santurce, Puerto Rico, is an actress, comedian and television host.-Early years:Rodríguez was born in Santurce, a section of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. Her parents moved to New York City when she was still a child. In New York, she received her...
. The show became the most successful television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
show on Puerto Rican history, having a mostly successful six-year run and staying for three of those years at the top of local television ratings.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Muñiz was the owner of a radio station (Radio WLUZ) and a television channel (Teleluz
WSTE
WSTE-DT is a full-power television station licensed to Ponce, Puerto Rico. It transmits on digital channel 7 over a four-site distributed transmission system.WSTE is owned by Univision and is operated by the network as well through WLII in Caguas...
). Both were named after his wife, Luz María. In 1988, he became one of the largest minority owners of another channel, TeleOnce
WLII
WLII-DT is a full-power television station licensed to Caguas, Puerto Rico. Transmitting its analog signal on channel 11 and digital signal on channel 56, the station is owned and operated by Univision and is branded as Univision Puerto Rico...
.
Film actor
In 1989, he and Rodríguez reunited to act in the movieFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
Lo que le Pasó a Santiago
Lo que le Pasó a Santiago
Lo que le pasó a Santiago is a 1989 Puerto Rican film written and directed by Jacobo Morales.The movie tells the story of a recently retired widower who meets a mysterious young lady in his life, disrupting his daily routines.Lo que le pasó a Santiago was the first Puerto Rican production in...
, directed by Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales
Jacobo Morales is an auteur, whom many consider to be the most influential film director in Puerto Rico's history.-Life and career:...
, a longtime friend of Muñíz. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
becoming the first and only Puerto Rican film so far to do so.
As a consequence of his part in Lo que le Pasó a Santiago
Lo que le Pasó a Santiago
Lo que le pasó a Santiago is a 1989 Puerto Rican film written and directed by Jacobo Morales.The movie tells the story of a recently retired widower who meets a mysterious young lady in his life, disrupting his daily routines.Lo que le pasó a Santiago was the first Puerto Rican production in...
, Muñiz was selected to act in the 1991 television comedy film Crazy From The Heart, directed by Thomas Schlamme and featuring Christine Lahti
Christine Lahti
Christine Lahti is an American actress and film director. Lahti has had a successful career in television and film. Throughout her career she has garnered 2 Golden Globe Awards from 8 Nominations, An Emmy Award from 6 Nominations and 2 Academy Award nominations...
and Rubén Blades
Rubén Blades
Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna is a Panamanian salsa singer, songwriter, lawyer, actor, Latin jazz musician, and politician, performing musically most often in the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres...
. In the movie, Muñiz played Blades' father, a Mexican peasant with a proclivity for setting billboards on fire as a protest. The movie was eventually broadcasted by Turner Network Television (TNT).
Personal life
Muñíz was married to Luz María García de la Noceda and they had eight children: Rafael (aka RafoRafo Muñiz
Rafo Muñiz is a Puerto Rican actor, comedian, director and, more notably, producer of television shows and concerts.The son of legendary comic actor and producer Tommy Muñiz and brother of Pedro Muñiz; who is also a producer and actor, Rafo began acting as the young neighbor of M\"Miguel" in ...
), Ruby, Hilda, Mario, Luzie, Tomito, Manolo, Pedro and Antonio (Toño). Rafo and Pedro are both well-known actors and producers; Pedro directed a dramatic film, Cayo. Manolo was a Roman Catholic priest before his untimely death in July 1995.
Tommy Muñíz died January 15, 2009 in Hato Rey
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
Hato Rey is a former ward located in the northwest part of the dissolved municipality of Río Piedras. It now stretches over three wards of the municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico:*Hato Rey Central*Hato Rey Norte*Hato Rey Sur...
, Puerto Rico.. Luz María García de la Noceda died a day after her 87th. birthday, on October 21, 2011.
Tommy Muñiz's life is described in two books: an autobiography named "Así he vivido" ("That's the way I've lived") and "¡Juan, Juan, Juan! Crónicas de la televisión en tiempos de don Tommy" by Puerto Rican author Beba García.
Productions
Radio productions- El Colegio de la Alegría (comedy)
- La Familia Pérez (comedy)
- Adelita, La Secretaria (comedy)
- Gloria y Miguel (comedy)
- ¡Qué sirvienta! (comedy)
- Las Aventuras de Andy Tenorio (comedy, based on the ArchieArchie-People:* Archie Karas , a Greek gambler known for turning $50 into $40 million before losing it all* Archie Brown , a British political scientist and historian* Archie Macpherson, Scottish sports broadcaster* Archie Thompson, Australian footballer...
comic strip) - La Novela Fab (drama)
Television productions
- El Show de Shows (for which Muñiz produced the comedy section only - 1955)
- El Colegio de la Alegría (the radio comedy program, moved to television)
- A reírse con Fab (first of four different names for the time slot - comedy)
- El profesor Colgate (amateur talent contest)
- Carnaval Del Monte (variety show)
- La Taberna India (variety show, based on the American show Duffy's TavernDuffy's TavernDuffy's Tavern was a popular American radio situation comedy which ran for a decade on several networks , concluding with the December 28, 1951 broadcast....
) - Hogar, dulce hogar (sitcom)
- Lotus lo divierte (variety show - 1956)
- Garata Deportiva (sports commentary - 1956)
- El chiste Camel (comedy - 1957)
- Telefiesta de la Tarde (variety show - 1957)
- Reina por un día (prize show - 1959)
- Desafiando a los genios (comedy - various inceptions between 1959 and 2004. This was a personal favorite of Pablo CasalsPablo CasalsPau Casals i Defilló , known during his professional career as Pablo Casals, was a Spanish Catalan cellist and conductor. He is generally regarded as the pre-eminent cellist of the first half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest cellists of all time...
) - El Show del Mediodía (varíety show)
- Encabuya y Vuelve y Tira (comedy / news / community service)
- La Criada Malcriada (sitcom)
- La Cámara Cómica (comedy / reality television, based on Candid CameraCandid CameraCandid Camera is a hidden camera/practical joke reality television series created and produced by Allen Funt, which initially began on radio as Candid Microphone June 28, 1947...
- various inceptions) - Esto no tiene nombre (comedy, based on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InRowan & Martin's Laugh-InRowan & Martin's Laugh-In is an American sketch comedy television program which ran for 140 episodes from January 22, 1968, to May 14, 1973. It was hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin and was broadcast over NBC...
- various inceptions) - Ja, Ja, Ji, Ji, Jo, Jo con AgrelotJosé Miguel AgrelotGiuseppe Michael Agrelot , better known as José Miguel Agrelot, was a comedian, radio and television host and media icon in Puerto Rico...
(comedy / variety) - Gloria y Miguel (sitcom)
- Viernes de Gala (variety)
- El especial de Corona (variety specials; first appearance by Otilio WarringtonOtilio WarringtonOtilio Warrington, known popularly as Bizcocho is a comedian, best known for his roles of "Bizcocho" and "Cuca Gómez".-Early years:...
on television, 1967) - Caras y caretas de las mujeres (comedy)
- El show de Tommy Muñiz (talk show)
- Hello, Puerto Rico (variety special)
- Las Almas No Tienen Color (novela - 1969)
- Historia de dos mujeres (novela - 1970)
- Cuando los hijos condenan (novela - 1970)
- Los Juanes (novela - 1971)
- Borinquen Canta (folk music / variety show, 1971)
- María del Mar (novela - 1971)
- El silencio nos condena (novela, 1972)
- Mami santa (novela, 1972)
- Claudia y Virginia (novela, 1973)
- Llanto para una mujer (novela, 1973)
- Marta (novela, 1973) Casting decisions caused the ASTRA strike against Muñiz's production company
- Los GarcíaLos GarcíaLos García was a Puerto Rican television comedy sitcom from the 1970s. Shown weekly on Ricavision channel 7, it depicted the life of a fictional family called Los García. The family was based on a real life family...
(sitcom, 1976-1981)
External links
- Chronicle of his life in Primera Hora
- Article about his death in Primera Hora