Carmen Belén Richardson facts for kids

Carmen Belén Richardson (born September 14, 1930 – died August 9, 2012) was a famous actress and comedian from Puerto Rico. She was known for her funny characters and for being a pioneer in Puerto Rican television.

Early Life and Talent

Carmen Belén Richardson was born in Santurce. Her parents noticed her special talent for acting when she was very young. In 1939, at just nine years old, she auditioned for a radio soap opera at WNEL Radio Station.

A Star is Born

The people at the radio station were so impressed with her that they hired her right away. She continued to act in school plays while attending Central High School of Santurce. When she was 14, Juan Ramón Jiménez, a Spanish Nobel Prize winner, saw her perform. He was so amazed by her talent that he offered to pay for her university studies.

Becoming a TV Pioneer

Richardson went on to study Dramatic Arts at the University of Puerto Rico. After graduating in 1954, she got a big opportunity. Tommy Muñiz, a pioneer in Puerto Rican television, offered her a role in his new show, El Colegio de la Alegria.

Memorable TV Roles

In this show, she played "Lirio Blanco," a very tall and funny girl. With this role, Carmen Belén Richardson became the second Black Puerto Rican actress on television. She also appeared in other popular TV comedies. These included La Criada Malcriada as Jazmín, Hogar Dulce Hogar as María Antonieta, and Esto No Tiene Nombre. In Esto No Tiene Nombre, she was famous for her hilarious imitations of well-known people like Angela Davis and Roberta Flack.

Challenges and New Opportunities

During the 1970s, Richardson continued to work in comedies. She appeared in shows like Black Power and Ja, ja, ji, ji, jo, jo con Agrelot with comedian José Miguel Agrelot.

Moving to New Productions

Puerto Rico faced a big dispute between actors and TV production companies during this time. Because of less work, Richardson left Tommy Muñiz Productions. She then joined ASTRA Productions, where she found roles in TV programs like Ahí va eso and Sin ton ni son.

Acting in Soap Operas

A new chance came when local TV stations started making soap operas again. Richardson took on many dramatic roles. Some of the soap operas she acted in include:

• Anacaona where she played Belén
• El Idolo as Caridad Carvajal
• Rojo Verano as Sor Teresa
• Marta Llorens as Mamá Luz

International Success in Mexico

In 1980, Carmen Belén Richardson traveled to Mexico. There, she was hired by Chilean director Valentin Pimstein to work in Mexican soap operas.

Mexican Telenovelas

For three years, she acted in several popular shows. These included:

• El Maleficio (1983)
• Guadalupe (1984) as Dominga
• Soledad (1981)
• Amalia Batista (1983)
• El Hogar que yo Robe (1981) as Fernanda, alongside famous Mexican actors Juan Ferrara and Angélica María.

Return to Puerto Rican Theater

Richardson returned to Puerto Rico in 1985 and began working in local theater. She performed in many plays, including Cecilia Valdes, Clemente (the musical), and Sirena.

Awards and New Ventures

In 1989, the "El Cemi" Festival of Art in Puerto Rico was dedicated to her. She received the Carlos Busquets award for her 40 years in entertainment. Richardson also joined Producciones MECA, a company started by actresses Camille Carrion and Ángela Meyer. With this company, she participated in shows like Ellas al Mediodia and soap operas such as Ave de Paso (1988) and Yara Prohibida (1988). She even imitated American comedian Whoopi Goldberg in the play Múltiples ellas.

Later Years and Legacy

Carmen Belén Richardson retired from acting after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain. She then founded a support group in Puerto Rico for people with fibromyalgia, called "Fundación Carmen Belén Richardson."

Her Final Years

Carmen Belén Richardson passed away on August 9, 2012, at HIMA hospital in Caguas, Puerto Rico. She was 81 years old. She was buried at Borinquen Memorial Park in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Carmen Belén Richardson had two biological daughters, Migbel and Eda, and an adoptive daughter, Waleska. Her work as an actress and comedian left a lasting mark on Puerto Rican entertainment.

See also

In Spanish: Carmen Belén Richardson para niños

• List of Puerto Ricans
• List of Puerto Ricans of African descent
• History of women in Puerto Rico