Cantinflas

Description: (One of the Most Popular Entertainers in the History of Latin-American Cinema)

Mario Moreno, born Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno-Reyes and professionally known as Cantinflas, was a Mexican comedy film actor, producer and screenwriter. He was born in an improvised family in the beginning of the twentieth century in Mexico City and started his acting career in a carpa. One night, he accidentally developed a routine that featured a combination of gibberish, mispronunciation, wild exaggeration and mime. Realizing its potential, he held on to it and became very popular. Although he entered films in the middle of 1930s he could not initially make much mark. Later he became popular with his portrayal of Cantinflas, an impoverished peasant of pelado origin, who wears his trousers held up with a rope, a rugged coat and a battered hat. It soon turned him into an iconic figure not only in Mexico, but also in other parts of Latin America. Later he became world famous for his portrayal of the role of Passepartout in the epic Hollywood film, ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. Although he was often referred as the ‘Charlie Chaplin of Mexico’ Chaplin himself had once referred to him as the best comedian of that time.

Overview

Birthday August 12, 1911 (Leo)
Alternative names Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes
City Mexico City, Mexico
Died on April 20, 1993
Spouse/Ex- Valentina Ivanova (1936–66; her death)
Parents Pedro Moreno Esquivel
María de la Soledad Reyes Guízar

Did you know

Where was Cantinflas born? Cantinflas was born in Mexico City, Mexico.
How did Cantinflas get his stage name? Cantinflas adopted his stage name from the Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso, whose nickname was "Cantinflas."
What was Cantinflas' most famous movie role? Cantinflas is best known for his role as the character "Cantinflas" in the film "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956).
Did Cantinflas have any children? Cantinflas did not have any biological children of his own, but he did adopt a daughter named Sonia.
What impact did Cantinflas have on Mexican cinema? Cantinflas is considered one of the greatest comedians in Mexican cinema history, known for his unique style of humor and social commentary in his films.
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