Luis Raúl

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Luis Raúl
birthdate = birth date and age|1962|3|6
location = flagicon|Puerto Rico Ponce, Puerto Rico
height =
birthname = Luis Raúl Martínez
othername =
homepage =
occupation = Actor, Comedian, Host
notable role =

Luis Raúl Martínez (known simply as Luis Raúl) is a Puerto Rican actor and comedian. He is known for his stand-up comedy shows and for his various characters. He was also the host of Univision's talk and variety show "Anda Pa'l Cara" from 2001 to 2003, and Telemundo's game show::: "Pa' Que Te Lo Goces", in 2006.

Biography

Luis Raúl was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and showed his interest in acting since he was a child. During school, he would participate in lots of plays and shows. After graduating, he enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez to study chemical engineering because his parents didn't want him to be an artist. After two years, he changed to Business administration and took electives in theatre.

In 1981, he moved to San Juan where he held several jobs to make ends meet. In the meantime, he studied at the Acting Academy of Ofelia D'Acosta and started performing at weekly shows. In 1983 he debuted in the play "Los Títeres de Cachiporra". In 1985 he had his first starring role in "Un Mismo Corazón" ("One Heart"), a play that dealt with the subject of AIDS, something that was taboo at the time.

At the same time, he started appearing in several local telenovelas and other TV shows. In 1987 he joined actor Edwin Pabellón in producing the radio show "Algo Mejor" ("Something Better"). He also had sporadic appearances at the show "En Serio con Silverio" hosted by Silverio Perez. After that, Perez recruits him for a new show called "¿Que es lo que pasa aquí? Ahhh!" ("What's Going on in Here?"), a show dedicated to political and social satire. It was this show that established Luis Raúl as a comedic figure.

In 1992, Luis Raúl retired from the program with the intention of moving to Los Angeles and try to find success there. In Los Angeles, he performed at several Hispanic commercials and shows, and also participated in various stand-up comedy and improvisation shows. However, he traveled to Puerto Rico constantly to perform his stand-up comedy show successfully around the island. In 1997 he also had his own show titled "Pa' la Cama con Luis Raúl" ("To Bed with Luis Raúl") produced by Luisito Vigoreaux.

In 2000 he officially established himself back in Puerto Rico and had another show called "En Casa de Luis Raúl" ("At Luis Raúl's Home") in Televicentro. In 2001 he was hired by Univision to replace long-time friend Silverio Perez as host of their popular show "Anda Pa'l Cara" after Perez decided to leave. Luis Raúl hosted the show with Gricel Mamery until retiring in 2003.

He is still working in his stand-up comedy show, currently on tour with fellow comedian Raymond Arrieta.

Characters

Luis Raúl has popularized a vast array of characters that have made it into the popular culture of the island. Some of them are:
* Piquito - a naive kid with a speech impairment that works selling chicken.
* Tito Párpados - a celebrity and media reporter with a flamboyant hairdo.
* El Patito Feo - The Puerto Rican "Ugly Duckling"

ee also

*List of famous Puerto Ricans
*List of game show hosts