Carlos Villagrán

Infobox actor


name = Carlos Villagrán
imagesize =
caption =
birthname = Carlos Villagrán Eslava
birthdate = birth date and age|1944|1|12
location = flagicon|Mexico Mexico City, Mexico
deathdate =
deathplace =
height =
othername =
homepage =
notable role = Quico in "El Chavo del Ocho"
academyawards =
emmyawards =

Carlos Villagrán Eslava (born January 12, 1944) is a Mexican comedy actor and former journalist. Villagrán combined both acting and writing at first; he became known for a character named "Pirolo".

Life and work

He went on to write for a local newspaper in Mexico City. As a writer, he became friends with screenwriter and future co-star Rubén Aguirre. Aguirre was hired to play "Professor Jirafales" by "Chespirito" in the upcoming "El Chavo del Ocho" Televisa television series. Aguirre held a party for family and friends at his house, and Villagrán impressed him after expanding his cheeks out of proportion during one of the party's comic steps. As a matter of a fact, that movement would later become a trademark of the character he'd play in "El Chavo."

Aguirre recommended Villagrán to Chespirito, and Villagrán was given the "Quico" character in the show. He also appeared on Chespirito's other hit show, "El Chapulín Colorado". Both of Chespirito's shows became major international hits all over Latin America, in the United States, Spain, and other countries. Villagrán acquired great fame with these shows. It has been rumored that the rest of the cast resented his scene stealing appearances, most specially Chespirito, who got star labeling in addition to writing and directing chores.

Villagrán left the shows in 1978, mostly because he and Chespirito established a legal battle over the rights of the "Quico" character. It is also rumored that he was involved in a love triangle along with Chespirito and his girlfriend Florinda MezaFact|date=May 2007, who played Quico's mother. At that same time, Ramón Valdés also left the two shows. This marked the beginning of the end for both productions, although they are still seen on many countries around the world with re-runs.

Villagrán went to Venezuela and then on to Peru, where he acted in various shows, but without the same success that "Chespirito's" productions had in Mexico. He and Valdés reunited, when Tele-Rey hired them to make the television show "Ah que Kiko!". With the same name but different spelling, "Chespirito" was not able to prevent the name "Kiko" to be used in the new show. The show was having success, however, when Valdés died of lung cancer in 1988. For a brief time a local comic Sergio Ramos was brought in as "Don Cejudo", but the chemistry was no longer there, so the show soon was taken off the air.

Like many of his co-stars in the "Chespirito" shows, Villagrán went on to enjoy a circus career, touring with his "El circo de Kiko".

Villagrán later did exactly what his friend Aguirre had done before, moving to Argentina, where "Chespirito" has no rights over the "Quico" character, and playing his old character there.

Villagrán has three sons and three daughters.

External links

For images and more information on Carlos Villagran visit [http://www.chespirito.org Chespirito.org]