Paquito Cordero
Encyclopedia
Paquito Cordero was a comedian and television producer and also one of the pioneers of Puerto Rican
television.
. Mapy Cortés had moved to Mexico from Puerto Rico, where she became an actress. There she met and married Mexican actor, "Fernando Cortés". After Cordero graduated from high school, he enrolled and attended the University of Puerto Rico
and married his childhood sweetheart, a hairdresser whom everyone knew as "Cuqui". With Cuqui he had three children, two girls and one boy.
, owner of El Mundo Enterprises. On March 28, 1954, Puerto Rico received its first television transmission from Angel Ramos' WKAQ-TV Telemundo
Channel 2
. Among the first comedy shows to go on the air was "Mapy Y Papi" with Mapy and Fernando Cortés, María Judith Franco and Paquito Cordero.
In order for Paquito to get "into" character, he had to smear black makeup on his face and hands. During this period in his life, he fell in love with one of the show's dancers, a young girl by the name of Nora. He soon divorced his first wife and asked Nora to marry him. She accepted and together they had a son, Santiago. Paquito and Nora remain happily married.
, Tito Lara
, Los Hispanos, and Olga y Tony. It also included a section within the show, dedicated to the teenage crowd, called "Canta la Juventud" (Youth Sings). Among those taking part in this section were Alfred D. Herger
and Puerto Rican teen idols Lucecita Benítez
and Chucho Avellanet
. "El Show de Las 12" was presented by Miguel Ángel Álvarez
and Eddie Miró
was the scriptwriter. The show was a success and was watched by over 80 percent of the population, becoming one of Puerto Rico's most beloved programs for over 40 years.
On April 14, 1983, Telemundo was sold to John Blair and Co. and finally, in 2004 became part of the NBC Universal
network. This led to many changes and one of the changes was the substitution of locally produced programs with programs produced in other countries such as Mexico. Cordero, however, remained at Telemundo as its main local producer from 1983 to 2004.
On May 6, 2004, television producers Paquito Cordero and Tommy Muñiz
received a special recognition on behalf of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico as part of the celebration of the 50 years of uninterrupted transmisión on the Telemundo and Televicentro channels.
On the last airing of the show, Eddie Miró took the microphone and said these words:
, Tu Universo Television, channel 6, with Deborah Carthy Deu, as the host. Cordero died of respiratory problems in the morning hours of June 30, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Nora, and four children, Paquitin, Chiqui, Muñeca and Santiago. The governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño
, declared three days of national mourning. On July 2, a wake was held in the "Salon de Actos" of El Convento Dominicos in Old San Juan which was assisted by the governor and his wife, local celebrities, and Cordero's famiy and close friends. Cordero remains were later transferred to the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
also in Old San Juan where he was buried.
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.
Early years
Cordero (birth name: Francisco Cordero Baez) was born to Don Paco and Doña Berta Cordero in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Cordero attended Santurce Central High School upon finishing his primary and secondary education. He was a member of his high school's drama club and participated in its plays, where he discovered the art of comedy. Cordero was geatly influenced by his aunt on his father's side, Mapy CortésMapy Cortés
Mapy Cortés , born Maria del Pilar Cordero in Santurce, Puerto Rico, was a famous actress that participated in many films during the Mexican film industry's golden era...
. Mapy Cortés had moved to Mexico from Puerto Rico, where she became an actress. There she met and married Mexican actor, "Fernando Cortés". After Cordero graduated from high school, he enrolled and attended 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...
and married his childhood sweetheart, a hairdresser whom everyone knew as "Cuqui". With Cuqui he had three children, two girls and one boy.
Artistic career
Cordero auditioned for a role in a comedy skit which was transmitted through Radio El Mundo and was subsequently hired. He did this in his spare time. His aunt Mapy and her husband Fernando returned to the island and presented an idea for a comedy show to Ángel RamosAngel Ramos (industrialist)
Angel Ramos was the founder of Telemundo, the second largest Spanish-language television network in the United States.-Early years:...
, owner of El Mundo Enterprises. On March 28, 1954, Puerto Rico received its first television transmission from Angel Ramos' WKAQ-TV 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....
Channel 2
Telemundo Puerto Rico
The name Telemundo Puerto Rico may represent:* WKAQ-TV, a Telemundo station in San Juan, Puerto Rico* Telemundo Puerto Rico , a former Spanish-language cable network...
. Among the first comedy shows to go on the air was "Mapy Y Papi" with Mapy and Fernando Cortés, María Judith Franco and Paquito Cordero.
In order for Paquito to get "into" character, he had to smear black makeup on his face and hands. During this period in his life, he fell in love with one of the show's dancers, a young girl by the name of Nora. He soon divorced his first wife and asked Nora to marry him. She accepted and together they had a son, Santiago. Paquito and Nora remain happily married.
Paquito Cordero Productions
In the 1960s, Cordero formed his own production company which he named Paquito Cordero Productions, Inc. His younger sister, Bertita, became his assistant and eventually his younger brother, Jorge, would also join the company as a future co-producer. On January 11, 1965, Telemundo transmitted the first program produced by Paquito called "El Show de las 12" (The 12 O'Clock Show). The first show included appearances by El Gran ComboEl Gran Combo
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, commonly known as El Gran Combo, is a Puerto Rican Salsa music orchestra. It is Puerto Rico's most successful musical group, and one of the most popular salsa orchestras across Latin America...
, Tito Lara
Tito Lara
Tito Lara , was considered by many to be Puerto Rico's first television singing idol.-Early years:Born as Agustín Enrique Lara Olivencia in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Lara was raised by his maternal grandmother and received primary education in Santurce. During his spare time, he taught himself to...
, Los Hispanos, and Olga y Tony. It also included a section within the show, dedicated to the teenage crowd, called "Canta la Juventud" (Youth Sings). Among those taking part in this section were Alfred D. Herger
Alfred D. Herger
Alfredo Domingo Herger is a famous former Puerto Rican television show host and a psychologist. He has been labeled the Ed Sullivan of Puerto Rico in local media, due to his strong influence in Puerto Rican pop culture and his success as a television presenter.-Early life:Herger, of Spanish and...
and Puerto Rican teen idols Lucecita Benítez
Lucecita Benítez
Luz Esther Benítez , better known in the music world as Lucecita, is a Puerto Rican singer.-Biography:Lucecita was a member of what is historically known in Puerto Rico as the New Wave, or Nueva Ola of popular music, created by Alfred D. Herger, alongside Lissette and Chucho Avellanet, among others...
and Chucho Avellanet
Chucho Avellanet
Armando Hipólito Avellanet González , nicknamed "Chucho" is a Puerto Rican singer and comedic actor...
. "El Show de Las 12" was presented by Miguel Ángel Álvarez
Miguel Ángel Álvarez
Miguel Ángel Álvarez, also known as "El Men," , was a Puerto Rican comedian and actor.-Early years:...
and Eddie Miró
Eddie Miró
Eddie Miró , is a television show host in Puerto Rico of Sephardic origin. He is best known for being the host of Telemundo Puerto Rico's variety show "El Show de las 12" for over 40 years...
was the scriptwriter. The show was a success and was watched by over 80 percent of the population, becoming one of Puerto Rico's most beloved programs for over 40 years.
Television programs produced by Cordero
Cordero also produced the following shows which were popular in Puerto Rico:- "El Show de las 12" with "Los Alegres Tres", Silvia, Chapuseaux y Damiron with Clarissa, Militza and Mary Stull.
- "El Show Sultana", with "Los Hispanos", and Tito LaraTito LaraTito Lara , was considered by many to be Puerto Rico's first television singing idol.-Early years:Born as Agustín Enrique Lara Olivencia in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Lara was raised by his maternal grandmother and received primary education in Santurce. During his spare time, he taught himself to...
- "2 a Go Go", with "Julio Angel" & "Tammy"
- "Walter, las Estrellas Y Usted" (Walter, the Stars and You), with Walter MercadoWalter MercadoWalter Mercado , is a Puerto Rican astrologer. Mercado announced that he and Univision have parted ways after fifteen years.-Early years:...
- "Mi Hippie Me Encanta" (I love my hippie) with Luis Antonio RiveraLuis Antonio RiveraLuis Antonio Rivera a.k.a. "Yoyo Boing" is a comedian, actor and television show host, who was also one of the pioneers of Puerto Rican television.-Early years:...
: Yoyo Boing, Rosita Velazquez, Johanna Ferrán and Myrna de Casenave - "En Broma y en Serio" (Joking and Seriously), with Lou BrielLou BrielLou Briel, is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, comedian, producer, pianist, and host, among other things.-Early Years with Anexo 3:...
, and DagmarDagmar (Puerto Rico entertainer)Dagmar , is a Puerto Rican television host, comedian and singer.-Early years:Dagmar Rivera was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Dorado, Puerto Rico. She started her career as a teenage singer in 1976. The only hit single of her first album was Soy la Mañana , by Puerto Rican composer Rafi... - "Su Estrella Favorita" (Your Favorite Star)
- "El Show de Chucho", (Chucho's Show), with Chucho AvellanetChucho AvellanetArmando Hipólito Avellanet González , nicknamed "Chucho" is a Puerto Rican singer and comedic actor...
" - "En Casa de Juanma y Wiwi", (In Juanma & Wiwis' Home), with Awilda CarbiaAwilda CarbiaAwilda Carbia was an actress, comedian, and impersonator.- Early years :Awilda Carbia started her acting career as a 7-year-old child, without ever suspecting that later in her acting career, 1970s, she would portray a children's television show host that was called: Estrella Galaxia, , broadcast...
, and Juan Manuel LebrónJuan Manuel LebrónJuan Manuel Lebron is a well known Puerto Rican actor, model, screenwriter, television producer and salsa singer.-Career:... - "Estudio Alegre & Musicomedia", (Cheerful Studio & Musicomedy), with Otilio WarringtonOtilio WarringtonOtilio Warrington, known popularly as Bizcocho is a comedian, best known for his roles of "Bizcocho" and "Cuca Gómez".-Early years:...
, Awilda CarbiaAwilda CarbiaAwilda Carbia was an actress, comedian, and impersonator.- Early years :Awilda Carbia started her acting career as a 7-year-old child, without ever suspecting that later in her acting career, 1970s, she would portray a children's television show host that was called: Estrella Galaxia, , broadcast...
, and Juan Manuel LebrónJuan Manuel LebrónJuan Manuel Lebron is a well known Puerto Rican actor, model, screenwriter, television producer and salsa singer.-Career:... - "La Gente Joven de Menudo/Menudomania", with Puerto Rican music group MenudoMenudo (band)Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band that was formed in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 1980s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group of the era....
. - "Los Kakucómicos", with Adalberto RodriguezAdalberto RodriguezAdalberto Rodríguez , better known as Machuchal, was a Puerto Rican comedian.Rodríguez was born in the town of Sabana Grande, in the southwest of Puerto Rico. He became very famous early on by imitating animal sounds for his elementary school peers. He acquired his stage name "Machuchal" after the...
, Machuchal, and Shorty CastroShorty CastroIsrael 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...
, among many others - "La Pensión de Doña Tere", (Lady Tere's Guesthouse), with Norma CandalNorma CandalNorma Candal , was an actress and comedian who was best known for her role as "Petunia".-Early years:Candal was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and lived with her family in the Fajardo Sugar Co. sugar plantation where her father was an accountant...
, and - "Noche de Gala", (Gala Night Ball), with Eddie MiróEddie MiróEddie Miró , is a television show host in Puerto Rico of Sephardic origin. He is best known for being the host of Telemundo Puerto Rico's variety show "El Show de las 12" for over 40 years...
, and in different periods of time co-hosted by, Marisol MalaretMarisol MalaretMarisol Malaret Contreras was the very first Puerto Rican woman to be crowned Miss Universe.-Biography:She started to work from an early age due to the death of her father and chronic illness of her mother...
, Deborah Carthy Deu, Marilyn Pupo and Gilda Haddock.
On April 14, 1983, Telemundo was sold to John Blair and Co. and finally, in 2004 became part of the NBC Universal
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
network. This led to many changes and one of the changes was the substitution of locally produced programs with programs produced in other countries such as Mexico. Cordero, however, remained at Telemundo as its main local producer from 1983 to 2004.
On May 6, 2004, television producers Paquito Cordero and Tommy Muñiz
Tommy Muñiz
Lucas Tomás Muñiz Ramírez , better known as Tommy Muñiz, was a Puerto Rican comedy and drama actor, media producer, businessman and network owner...
received a special recognition on behalf of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico as part of the celebration of the 50 years of uninterrupted transmisión on the Telemundo and Televicentro channels.
Telemundo stops transmitting local programs
On February 25, 2005, Telemundo canceled Paquito Cordero's "El Show de las 12", the longest-running television show in Puerto Rico. Telemundo no longer transmits locally produced television programs and thus, is no longer a source of income to the local artistic class.On the last airing of the show, Eddie Miró took the microphone and said these words:
| Spanish (original version) |
translation |
|---|---|
"El Show de las 12" ha muerto". "Señoras y Señores..., reflexionemos ante su deceso". |
"The 12 O'Clock Show" has died." "Ladies and Gentlemen..., a moment of silence for the deceased". |
Later years
In 2007, Cordero, produced a remake of "Noche de Gala", (Gala Night Ball), broadcasted by WIPR-TVWIPR-TV
WIPR-TV is an non-commercial educational, full-power public television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over analog channel 6, digital 43. The station is owned and operated by Corporación de Puerto Rico para la Difusión Pública ...
, Tu Universo Television, channel 6, with Deborah Carthy Deu, as the host. Cordero died of respiratory problems in the morning hours of June 30, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Nora, and four children, Paquitin, Chiqui, Muñeca and Santiago. The governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño
Luis Fortuño
Luis Guillermo Fortuño Burset is the governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States of America. Fortuño is also the president of the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico , a member of the Republican National Committee, and will be president of the Council of State...
, declared three days of national mourning. On July 2, a wake was held in the "Salon de Actos" of El Convento Dominicos in Old San Juan which was assisted by the governor and his wife, local celebrities, and Cordero's famiy and close friends. Cordero remains were later transferred to the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a colonial-era cemetery located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is the final resting place of many of Puerto Rico's most prominent natives and residents. Construction began in 1863 under the auspices of Ignacio Mascaro. The cemetery is located outside...
also in Old San Juan where he was buried.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans