Mexican TV icon Chabelo who delighted audiences for decades dies at 88

Mexican TV icon Chabelo who delighted children and adults for decades dies at age 88 due to ‘abdominal complications’

  • The Mexican TV icon’s family confirmed his passing a statement Saturday
  • They said Chabelo – real name Xavier Lopez – died due to ‘abdominal complications’ at the age of 88
  • Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador paid tribute to Chabelo on Twitter 

The entertainment world is mourning the death of Xavier Lopez, known throughout much of the Spanish speaking world as Chabelo. 

The comedian and actor died Saturday at the age of 88. 

Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced the news on Twitter Saturday. 

‘Hugs to family and friends for the death of Xavier López “Chabelo,” the politician wrote in his native Spanish.

‘How can I forget that my eldest son woke up early to see him over 40 years ago.’

The entertainment world is mourning the death of Xavier Lopez, known throughout much of the Spanish speaking world as Chabelo. The actor’s family posted he died ‘due to abdominal complications.’ He was 88

The comic actor’s family shed a little more light on his passing in a post on Facebook. 

‘This is a very sad morning, Xavier Lopez Chabelo, father, brother and husband has left us suddenly, due to abdominal complications, the family explained.

‘With a torn soul and knowing that many, many people have loved him for many years and that they will feel his departure, we ask you to pray for his rest and give us the opportunity to spend in peace the mourning that overwhelms our entire family.

Master Chef Mexico judge Betty Vazquez responded to the announcement writing, ‘My eternal gratitude for my childhood full of laughter….’

Actress Ana Martín wrote, ‘My deepest condolences to the family.’

Musician Charly Pérez bid a fond farewell. ‘Bye buddy Good trip dear Chabelo, friend of all children.’

Xavier Lopez was born in Chicago in 1935, but moved with his family to León,  Mexico at age eight and grew up there before moving to Mexico City. 

The actor trained as a doctor but found his calling in front of the camera.

Chabelo usually spoked in a raspy child-like voice performed in children’s clothes well into his 80s and helped found the genre of adult comics dressed as kids that became a staple on Mexican television for decades

Chabelo appeared in 52 movies and television shows during his lengthy career. His game show, En familia con Chabelo ran from 1968 to 2015  (Pictured with Michel Franco in Mexico City in June 2017)

He began in show business as a part-time assistant at Televisa, and would fill in for actors that were late, according to Al Dia. 

The comedian got his first big break, according to Marca, when famed host Ramiro Gamboa, known to fans as Tío Gamboín, reportedly invited him to fill in on Carrusel Musical, playing a boy named Chabelo. 

The legend goes, that after the broadcast, the crew began to refer to the actor as ‘Chabelo’ and the nickname stuck. 

In his on-camera persona, the Chabelo usually spoked in a raspy child-like voice performed in children’s clothes well into his 80s and helped found the genre of adult comics dressed as kids that became a staple on Mexican television for decades. 

The actor and producer appeared in 52 movies and television shows during his lengthy career. 

He is perhaps best known for En familia con Chabelo, a game show in which players were allowed to accumulate their prizes or risk them all at the end in The Cataphyxia. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=R_5zD0S3zs0%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US

Xavier Lopez was born in Chicago in 1935, but moved with his family to León, Mexico at age eight and grew up there. The actor trained as a doctor but found his calling in front of the camera. Seen here as his character in 2017’s El Complot Mongol in Mexico City in April 2017

The comedian got his first big break when he was asked to fill in on a Televisa show, playing a boy named Chabelo. The legend goes, that after the broadcast, the crew began to refer to the actor as ‘Chabelo’ and the nickname stuck  (Pictured in Mexico City in August 2016)

Left behind: Chabelo is survived by his wife, Teresita Miranda, 62, and several children, according to ABC

Strong: One of his sons, Javier Lopez, spoke to the media at the funeral home where his late father’s remains were located

Taking that chance meant the guests could win even bigger prizes, or lose everything, but receive a joke. 

The popular program ran from 1968 to 2015. 

Chabelo is survived by his wife, Teresita Miranda, 62, and several children, according to ABC. 

One of his sons, Javier Lopez, spoke to the media at the funeral home where his late father’s remains were located. 

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