Comedian Ary Toledo died this Saturday morning (12), in São Paulo. He was 87 years old, had been admitted to Hospital Sírio Libanês since October 2 and died as a result of pneumonia, the hospital said.
Through the comedian’s social networks, the family confirmed the news. “With deep regret, we announce the passing of Ary Christoni de Toledo, a brilliant comedian who lit up our lives with his talent and laughter. May his memory continue to bring smiles to all of us… We will miss you, master”, says publication .
Ary Toledo was born in Martinópolis, in the interior of São Paulo, but was raised in Ourinhos. He moved to the state capital at the age of 22, when he began acting at Teatro de Arena. Five years later, his comedy career began. Throughout his career he performed on many television stations such as TV Tupi, Record and SBT and also wrote several joke books.
Ary Toledo’s wake will be at Ossel Memorial, in the city of São Caetano do Sul, in Greater São Paulo, starting at 2pm today and a farewell ceremony will be held at 7pm.
In a note of condolence released by the Communications Secretariat, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted the comedian’s talent and willingness to make the Brazilian people smile, with work marked by irreverence on different platforms, such as books and records.
“A characteristic, in fact, that led him to be arrested by the military dictatorship, on December 14, 1968, after the joke ‘Who doesn’t have a dog, hunts with a cat. Who doesn’t have a cat, hunts with an act’, made in a show at Teatro de Arena, in São Paulo, in relation to Institutional Act number 5, which established the regime”, recalls a note released by the federal government.
* Article expanded at 2:20 pm to add a note of condolence from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.