Mexico City, Mexico.- A year was enough for Guillermo Álvarez Guedes to know that exile was the best decision after the triumph of the Revolution. For this reason, in 1960, the artist, together with his wife and his two daughters, took a plane and left the country he loved, although his humor continued to have the flavor of Cuba.
The story of who has been one of the greatest and international Cuban humorists began in his hometown, Unión de Reyes, Matanzas. When Guillermo was just five years old, he appeared at a town fair and won a prize. What did he do? The same thing that he would later do throughout his life: make jokes and get laughs.
Although he had an innate talent, most of his family did not support his desire to be an artist. That never stopped him, nor did he get discouraged by those who told him at the auditions that he better dedicate himself to something else and not to acting.
Álvarez Guedes became known on the radio at the end of the 40s. Later, with the arrival of television in Cuba, he had his opportunity in CMQ programs such as “Casino de la Alegría” (with the incomparable Rita Montaner) and “Jueves of Partagas”. In this first space he played a much loved character “the drunkard”.
In 1953 “El Solar” premiered, a musical show created by Alberto Alonso for the Montmartre nightclub. They were part of the cast, in addition to Álvarez, the comedian Carlos Pous, Luis Carbonell and the singers Benny Moré, Rita Montaner and Olga Guillot.
On television his face became common in adventures, comedies and musicals. During this time he also acted in the films “Thief in Silk” (1953) and “The Big Boodle” (1957).
In each interpretation he stood out for the Cubanness of his characters. His work in the cinema continued outside of Cuba.
Among the films that he bequeathed we can mention: “God save you, psychiatrist” (1966), directed and produced by Álvarez Guedes himself; “What does it matter to me that Miami explodes” (1976), with songs by Willy Chirino; “Bla, bla, bla” (1978), also directed and produced by him. He also acted in “The girl with the golden scorpion” (1990) and, “Que todo queda entre cubanos” (1993).
Returning to his time in Cuba, in 1957 he joined the pianist Ernesto Duarte and his brother Emilio Álvarez Guedes to found the GEMA Records label. This record company brought to light impressive talents such as Elena Burke, Celeste Mendoza, Fernando Álvarez, Rolando Laserie, Chico O’Farril, and Bebo Valdés.
secretly overheard
Álvarez Guedes, the comedian who internationalized the Cuban “ño” was a born storyteller and he took advantage of that in his career. The actor recorded 30 albums with jokes and despite the strict censorship, these materials reached Cuba where he was heard with low volume and loud laughter.
In his last years, he dedicated himself to starring in “Aquí está Álvarez Guedes”, on the Miami radio station Clásica 92.3 FM. Despite the fact that his humor was based on the Cuban idiosyncrasy, his program was widely listened to by audiences throughout Latin America.
In 2013, at the age of 85, the comedian died. Those who knew him agree that he was a highly educated man and that he never stopped loving Cuba. His dream was to get his programs seen by Cubans on the island. And yes, in a way he fulfilled it, although he was a prohibited artist, he was revered from the underground.
Since 2016, Calle Ocho in Miami has a star on its Walk of Fame for the legendary Cuban comedian.
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