Capulina, whose real name was Gaspar Henaine Perez, was a Mexican comedian, actor, singer, film producer, and screenwriter. He was best known for his partnership with Marco Antonio Campos as the double act Viruta and Capulina, and for his subsequent solo career. He was nicknamed “El Rey del Humorismo Blanco” (The King of White Humor), due to his clean, innocent style of comedy.
Early Life and Career
Capulina was born on January 6, 1927, in Chignahuapan, Puebla. He made his acting debut at age 10, in the film Allá en el rancho grande (1936). He studied acting and won the “best dramatic child actor” award from his academy. He started his musical career as one of the vocalists of the quartet Los Excéntricos del Ritmo, and later formed part of the trio Los Trincas.
Viruta and Capulina
In 1951, he started filming with Marco Antonio Campos, who was known as Viruta. The two comedians made 26 films together, and became very popular across Latin America. They imitated the comedy style of Laurel and Hardy, but developed their own characteristic comedy style. Viruta was the thin, intelligent, and aggressive one, while Capulina was the portly, foolish, and cowardly one. They also had a television program called Cómicos y canciones, where they alternated with other comedians and singers. Some of their sketches were written by Roberto Gomez Bolaños, who later became famous as Chespirito.
The duo separated in 1969, due to various reasons, such as lack of film jobs, salary disputes, and personal differences. Capulina felt deep sorrow when Viruta died of a heart attack in 1973.
Solo Career and Death
Capulina made a total of 84 movies, 58 of them after separating from Viruta. He also appeared in children’s television shows and films, often playing the role of a clumsy but lovable sidekick, wearing a hat without a crown. He also produced and wrote some of his films. He was admired by many fans and celebrities, who praised his humor and kindness.
Capulina died on September 30, 2011, at the age of 84, in a Mexico City hospital. His cause of death was pneumonia, which he had been suffering from, along with ulcers. He was survived by his wife and his two children, a son and a daughter. He was given a tribute by the National Actors Association, and his fans and friends mourned his loss.
According to Wikipedia, Capulina was one of the most beloved and influential comedians in Mexican cinema history. He left a legacy of laughter and joy for generations to come.
