Mexican Legend Chespirito Has Died

All of Latin America is under a sea of tears today, because the iconic Chespirito has died and has reunited with Don Ramón in heaven.

Chespirito (born name: Roberto Gómez Bolaños) died of heart failure yesterday at his home in Cancun. He was 85. Chespirito was an actor, writer, producer, composer, director, philanthropist and true Mexican comedy legend who was a huge part of many childhoods. People mostly know Chespirito from the insanely popular Mexican shows El Chavo and El Chapulín Colorado, which both debuted in the 70s. Even people who didn’t watch Mexican television instantly recognize his most iconic character, the mallet-wielding superhero from El Chapulín Colorado. Matt Groening’s Bumblee Man from The Simpsons was based on that character.

The L.A. Times says that shortly after the sad news of Chespirito’s death broke a million hearts and made millions put on a black lace veil and do the slow wall slide of sadness while screaming, “aye, nooooo,” the President of Mexico released a statement about his passing.

The outpouring included condolences from well-known Latin American rock bands, actors and musicians — as well as Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, who tweeted: “Mexico has lost an icon whose work has transcended generations and borders.”

Chespirito is survived by his 6 children, 12 grandchildren and wife of 10 years Doña Florinda from El Chavo del 8.

And the 8-year-old me who watched El Chavo from the foot of my abuelita’s bed and laughed whenever she laughed (because I didn’t know what they were saying and didn’t want to be left out) also died yesterday.

Que descanse en paz, Chespirito

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