Rafael José

Infobox actor
name = Rafael José


imagesize = 200px
caption =
birthdate = birth date and age|1955|4|22
location = Manatí, Puerto Rico
height =
birthname = Rafael José Díaz
othername =
homepage =
occupation = Actor, singer and host
notable role =

Dr. Rafael José Diaz (born April 22,1955) is a Puerto Rican television show host born in Manatí, Puerto Rico, where his father, a physician born in the Dominican Republic, was the medical director of the local hospital. His family eventually moved to Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, where he was raised. While living in Mayagüez he sang and acted in various amateur radio and television broadcasts, as well as in high school talent shows. His reputation as a powerful singer followed him to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he attended medical school. His family supported his singing career on the condition that he finished the dentistry program at the University of Puerto Rico's Medical School. He interrupted his studies for close to eight years when his singing career took off, but eventually finished his degree and became a dentist (although he rarely practices his profession nowadays).

He won the Festival OTI, in Argentina (1980), with his interpretation of "Contigo Mujer", a song that was an instant hit all over the Puerto Rican radio, composed by Ednita Nazario, and Laureano Brizuela. Another radio hit was "Yo Quiero Hacerte Olvidar" was the theme song for the soap opera "Martha Llorens".

José's singing career did not go much further, but he soon began acting in soap operas and got a job co hosting the Saturday night program "A Millon" in 1983, along with Hector Marcano, & Sonia Noemí, on WAPA-TV. He proved to be a talented show host and lasted there a long time. During this time, he and his then wife, actress Magali Carrasquillo, had a son, Juan Pablo.

In 1986, José moved on to join future Senator Roberto Vigoreaux in hosting another WAPA-TV game show, "Sabado En Grande", when "A Millón" was moved to Sunday nights. During this time, he also performed with Antonio Sánchez in several comedies like "El Cuartel de la Risa" and "Adultos Solteros". In the late 90s, he was hired by Univision.

José then became a recognizable face with Latino audiences with the movie showcase show "Tu Pelicula". This experience helped him get casted to participate in Univision's show of "Despierta America", along with Mexico's Fernando Arau and Ana Maria Canseco, Honduran Neyda Sandoval and fellow Puerto Rican Giselle Blondet. In 1998, Jose covered the 1998 Fifa World Cup as a commentator for Univision.

On July 28, 2004, Univision announced that José will be hosting a television show named "Ay, que Rico!", which. although hosted by him and fellow Puerto Rican (and Mayagüez native) Gricel Mamery, will be geared towards the Mexican audiences in the United States.

On 2005, he started hosting Univision's successful night show Anda Pa'l Cara. Presently, 2007, he hosts "Tu Universo Televisión" on Puerto Rican television.

ee also

*List of people from the Dominican Republic
*List of famous Puerto Ricans

External links

*es icon [http://www.prpop.org/biografias/r_bios/rafael_jose.shtml Fundacion Nacional para la Cultura Popular biography]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1750898 Rafael José] on the Internet Movie Database