When did Cantinflas die? – Top Questions About Cantinflas

Who was Cantinflas?

Cantinflas was a popular Mexican comedian, scriptwriter, and producer. His real name was Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno-Reyes. He was born in the early 20th century in Mexico and grew up in Tepito. He joined the carpa show, a Mexican tent, at the age of 15 and began his career as an actor.

He came to the limelight in 1940 for his popular character in Ahi Está El Detalle known as Cantinflas, a kind-hearted impoverished peasant character who wears his pants tied with a rope, an old hat, and a ragged coat. 

He was popularly referred to as the Charlie Chaplin of Mexico. He became very famous and cherished after starring in the Hollywood film, Around the World in 80 Days, not only in Mexico but also in Latin America, Spain, and throughout the world.

He was also famous for his political satires. He made a mockery of the wealthy class of Mexican society in his films as a way of revenging the Mexican people. He was also known for his social 

What was Cantinflas’ real name?

Cantinflas’ real name was Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno-Reyes. It was given to him by his parents, Pedro Moreno Esquivel and Maria de la Soledad Reyez Guizar.

When did Cantinflas die?

Cantinflas died in 1993. His death was a major event in Mexico in 1993. His funeral was a national event and lasted for three days. A moment of silence was observed in his honor by both Mexican heads of State and the United States Senate. He was buried in Rotonda de Las Personas Ilustres.

How did Cantinflas die?

Cantinflas died from lung cancer on Tuesday, April 20, 1993, in Mexico City. He was a lifelong smoker. He was diagnosed with cancer earlier that year during his medical check-up at a clinic in Houston. He decided to hide the information from the public but his son revealed it to the press after his death.

Where was Cantinflas born?

Cantinflas was born in a small neighborhood of Santa Maria la Redonda in Mexico City. He was born into a common family and grew up with his siblings there.

Where was Cantinflas from?

Cantinflas was from Mexico. He was born in the neighborhood of Santa Maria La Redonda in Mexico City where he lived with his family before he left home at the age of 15 to join a carpa, a Mexican tent. 

How old was Cantinflas when he died?

Cantinflas was 81 years old when he died of lung cancer. He was in therapy for several weeks in Mexico and finally passed on in his house. His son revealed the state of his health to the press after his death.

What was Cantinflas famous for?

Cantinflas was famous for his role in Around the world in 80 days. He played the role of Passepartout who is a funny valet who helps his boss to accomplish his adventure of touring the world in 80 days.

How many films did Cantinflas make?

Cantiflans made 49 films. After his death, there was a controversy over who will inherit the rights to the ownership of these films between his son, Mario Moreno Ivanova and his nephew, Eduardo Moreno Laparade. They went to court many times and the court, at last, gave the rights of ownership to Eduardo Moreno Laparade.

Here are some of Cantinflas’ most popular films:

  • No te Engañes Corazón, 1936.
  • Águila o sol, 1938.
  • Siempre listo en las tinieblas, 1939.
  • Ahí está el detalle, 1940.
  • Ni Sangre Ni Adrena, 1941.
  • Los Tres Mosqueteros, 1942.
  • Romeo y Julieta, 1943.
  • Gran Hotel, 1944.
  • Dia con el Diablo, 1945.
  • Soy un prófugo, 1946.
  • A volar joven, 1947.
  • El Supersabio, 1948.
  • El Mago, 1949.
  • El Portero, 1950.
  • Si yo fuera diputado, 1952.
  • Caballero a la medida, 1954.
  • Around the World in Eighty Days, 1956.
  • Sube y baja, 1959.
  • Por mis pistolas, 1968.
  • The Great Sex War,, 1969.
  • Conserje en condominio, 1973.
  • El Barrendero, 1981.

What was the profession of Cantinflas?

Cantinflas was a professional actor. His other professions include scriptwriter, dancer, singer, film producer, and military personnel. 

Why is Cantinflas famous?

Cantinflas is famous because he was the most popular and successful comedian in Mexico and Latin America. He was crowned the king of Latin-American comedy and maintained this status even after his retirement.

His films were popular in Mexico and in theaters in Spanish-speaking American markets like Texas, Arizona, and California.

He was also famous for his benevolent attitude. In 1952, he started a crusade against poverty. He donated money to help build hospitals, maternity clinics, houses, and restaurants for the poor. 

What kind of hats did Cantinflas wear?

Cantinflas wore straw hats.

What year did Cantinflas die?

Cantinflas died in 1993 at 81 years old after battling lung cancer for a brief period.

When was Cantinflas born?

Cantinflas was born on August 12th, 1911. He was born into a family of 12 and he was the sixth child.

How many languages did Cantinflas speak?

Cantinflas was only able to speak Spanish and a little bit of English. 

Where did Cantinflas live?

Cantinflas lived in Mexico in his luxurious home in Lomas de Chapultepec. 

Cantinflas started acting at what age?

Cantinflas started acting at the age of 15 when he joined the carpa show, Mexico vaudeville. He started as a dancer. Then one night, he presented a shtick combining parodies, nonsensical language, wild exaggeration, and mimicry. This was when he realized his potential and kicked off his acting career.

What were Cantinflas’ politics?

Cantinflas was a supporter of labor politics and union laws. He once served as the labor union secretary. His reputation as an advocate for the less privileged gave his actions recognition and he became important in the early struggle against Charrismo in the golden age. 

He was part of the few Mexicans that fought against the one-party government’s practice of co-opting and controlling the unions. This struggle is known as “union democracy” and remains an important part of the fight for democracy and social justice in Mexico until today.

What was Cantinflas’ favorite food?

There was no mention of Cantinflas’ favorite food anywhere. Perhaps he didn’t reveal it to the public.

How did Cantinflas get famous?

Cantinflas first gained popularity in Mexico and Spain with his popular character, Cantinflas. But later, he became famous worldwide for his role as Passepartout in the epic Hollywood film, Around the world in 80 days in 1956.

The role gave him the spotlight as he is the star and focus of the story. The film made him popular in America and the Hollywood industry. He was referred to as the greatest comedian alive by Charlie Chaplin of America.

What does Cantinflas wear on his shoulder?

Cantinflas wore dirty rags on his shoulder. In his film,  Alli Está El Detalle, he performed the role of a poor peasant who wears pants that never stayed up, a dirty and worn-out shirt, and a dirty rag on his shoulder. This was the character that gave him recognition in 1940.

What is Cantinflas known for?

Cantinflas was known for his role as Passepartout in his film, Around the world in 80 days. He was also known for his use of comics and satire in his films. He was a successful and wealthy comedian. 

In how many movies did Cantinflas star?

Cantinflas has starred in many films and produced many under his film company, Cantinflas films. 

Cantinflas’ first appearance in a film was in a Mexican comedy-drama, Don’t Fool Yourself Dear in 1937. Subsequently, he starred in Such is My Country in 1937 where he played an important role. This was followed by Heads or Tails in 1937 when he co-starred with Manuel Medel. After this, he also starred in The Sign of Death which was directed by Chano Ureta in 1939. These were the films that established the name, Cantinflas.

Cantinflas later came to the limelight after his hit comedy, You’re Missing the Point in 1940 where he portrayed the character, Cantinflas. He was the main character in this film. After the success of this film, he appeared again in Neither Blood nor Sand in 1941. 

In 1941 again, he played the role of a policeman in The Unknown Policeman which was directed by Miguel Delgada, a famous Mexican film director. In 1942 Three Musketeers was also directed by Miguel Degalfo. This film was showcased at the Cannes Festival in 1946.

Later on, Cantinflas starred in a series of parody films, The Circus in 1942, a new version of Charlie Chaplin’s The Circus of 1928. This was followed by Romeo & Juliet in 1943 and Gran Hotel in 1944. 

Cantinflas continued starring in films. He features in at least one hit film per year. In 1945 was A Day with the Devil, I Am a Fugitive in 1946,  Fly Away Young Man in 1947, The Genius in 1948, and The Magician in 1949, where he was hired to fill in for a look-alike absentee magician.

Cantinflas’ other films were— The Doorman inn1950, c El Siete Machos in 1951, If I Were a Congressman which had similarities to Chaplin’s The Great Dictator in 1952. He repeated his role as a policeman in The Atomic Fireman in 1952, and then starred in The Photographer in 1953, A Tailored Gentleman in 1954, and Drop the Curtain in 1955.

Cantiflas made his first appearance in Hollywood in the epic adventure-comedy, Around the World in 80 Days in 1956 and won the Golden Globe award for best actor, and was recognized globally. His second Hollywood film, Pepe also got nominated in the Golden Globe  Awards in 1960 but did not win the award. People said the film was not successful because Cantinflas had lost his Spanish language in the English translation.  

After Pepe failed, Cantinflas went back to Mexico and continued starring in films. His Mexican films were The Illiterate One in 1961, The Extra in 1962, Immediate Delivery in 1963, Su Excelencia in 1967, El Profe in 1971, El Patrullero 777 in 1978 which was the third in the Patrolman 777 trilogy, and more. His last film was El Barrendero in 1982 before he retired.

When was Mario Moreno Cantinflas birthday?

Mario Moreno Cantinflas’ birthday is August 12. He was born in 1911.

Why did Cantinflas die?

Cantinflas died because he had lung cancer. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in early 1993 and he died later that year after going through therapy.

Where did Cantinflas live throughout his life?

Cantinflas lived in Mexico throughout his life. He was born and brought up in Mexico. Although he traveled around the world because of his work, he always went back to his luxurious home in Mexico City and that was where he died too.

Why is Cantinflas important?

Cantinflas is important because of his success as an actor and as a philanthropist. He was from a mediocre home but he pushed himself to success. People admire him for this. Charlie Chaplin also referred to him as the greatest comedian alive after seeing one of his films. 

What did Cantinflas like to do?

Cantinflas liked to make people laugh and that’s why he was a successful comedian. The evidence of this is one of his popular quotes which says, “The world should laugh more after having eaten”. He also liked helping the less privileged. 

What school did Cantinflas go to?

Cantinflas went to Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (Chapingo Autonomous University) in Mexico. He was sent there by his parents at the age of 15. Cantinflas, however, was more interested in attending shows. So, he ran away from school after a few months to start his acting career.

How many children did Mario Moreno Cantinflas have?

Mario Moreno Cantinflas had only one child whose name is Mario Moreno Ivanova. After Cantinflas got married to his wife, Valentina Ivanova Zubareff, they could not have a child together and so they adopted their son. Rumor had it that the son was Cantinflas’ biological child with another woman.

What was Cantinflas cause of death?

Lung cancer was Cantinflas’ cause of death. He had an excessive smoking habit which led to cancer. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1993 and he later died that year.

Why is Cantinflas remembered?

Cantinflas is remembered because of his iconic past. He was the most-celebrated Mexican actor of the golden age. He was respected worldwide for his comedy films, especially Around the world in 80 days, which earned him a golden globe award as the best actor in 1956.

He was also a philanthropist who helped many less privileged people in his lifetime. He was known for his social responsibility to the people of Mexico which earned him respect among his countrymen.

How old was Cantinflas?

Cantinflas was 81 years old at the time of his death. 

How did Mario Moreno create the name Cantinflas?

Mario Moreno created the name, Cantinflas after experiencing stage fright at the beginning of his career. He was at a show at the Ofelia tent and forgot his lines because he was nervous. He started saying incoherent and confusing statements but the audience found it funny and entertaining. 

He was able to manipulate the chaos using this literary nonsense and started using this style.  According to hearsay, he adopted the name “Cantinflas” after this occurrence and stuck with it throughout his life. 

Many Spanish words have been formed from his name. These words are recognized by the Royal Spanish Academy today.

  • Cantinflear (verb): To speak incoherently without meaning
  • Cantinfleo: The effect of Cantinflear
  • Acantinflado (adj): Speaking like the Mexican actor, Cantinflas.
  • Acantinflarse (adj): Behave like the Mexican actor, Cantinflas.
  • Cantinfleando (noun): Someone who speaks like Cantinflas.
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