Ramón Rivero facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ramón Rivero
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Rivero at the Stork Club, NYC
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Arturo Ramón Máximo Ortiz del Rivero
May 29, 1909 |
| Died | August 24, 1956 (aged 47) |
| Other names | Diplo |
| Occupation | actor/comedian/composer |
| Years active | 1936–1956 |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Spouse(s) | Alicia Bibiloni (1949–1956) |
Ramón Rivero (born May 29, 1909 – died August 24, 1956) was a famous Puerto Rican comedian, actor, and composer. He was also known by his stage name, Diplo.
Rivero made history by appearing in "La Taberna India" (The India Tavern). This was the first comedy and variety show ever shown on Puerto Rican TV. He also starred in popular movies like Los Peloteros ("The Baseball Players").
Beyond entertainment, Rivero was a kind-hearted activist. He organized the world's first known Walk-A-Thon. This event raised money for the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer.
Contents
Early Life and Talents
Ramón Rivero was born Arturo Ramón Máximo Ortiz del Rivero. He was born in Naguabo, Puerto Rico. His parents were José Ortiz Alibrán and Providencia del Rivero. In 1917, his family moved to Old San Juan. This is a historic part of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.
As a young man, Ramón learned to play many musical instruments. These included the piano, guitar, and mandolin. His father, who was a lawyer, sent him to Canada to study law. But in Canada, Ramón discovered baseball! He even got an offer to try out for the New York Giants baseball team.
Ramón chose not to join the Giants. Instead, he returned to Puerto Rico. He played for the "Senadores de San Juan" (San Juan Senators) baseball team. Later, he moved to Cayey with his family. He worked as a physical education teacher at a local school.
Becoming a Star Entertainer
In Cayey, Ramón met Jose Luis Torregrosa. They became good friends. Ramón joined Torregrosa's traveling theater group. Torregrosa later became his comedy partner. They performed in a play called "El proceso de Armando Líos". This experience made Ramón want to be a comedian.
Ramón was inspired by a Cuban comedian named Leopoldo Fernández. He decided to create his own funny character. He named his character "Diplo" after a person he knew in San Juan. Ramón and Torregrosa started their own theater company. It was called "La Farándula Bohemia". This is where "Diplo" became famous.
Ramón's father asked him to change his name. So, Arturo Ramón Máximo Ortiz del Rivero became Ramón Rivero. He also added "Diplo" to his name. The group also helped discover other talents. One was Juan Boria, a poet known for his Afro-Caribbean poetry.
Radio and Television Pioneer
Ramón Rivero's comedy acts became very popular. He performed in traveling shows and on local radio. He was part of shows like "Los embajadores del buen humor" (Ambassadors of Good Humor). He also wrote scripts for these shows. His most famous radio show was "El Tremendo Hotel" (The Tremendous Hotel).
During World War II, Ramón and his group visited U.S. military bases. They entertained Puerto Rican troops. They even helped deliver mail to the soldiers' families. Angel Ramos, who owned WKAQ Radio, signed Ramón to an exclusive deal. "El Tremendo Hotel" became the most popular radio show in Puerto Rico.
Ramón Rivero was a true pioneer in Puerto Rican television. He produced the first comedy show, "La Taberna India" (The India Saloon). This show aired on Angel Ramos's Telemundo station. Fans called him the "Rey de la Farándula" (King of Show-business). They also called him "Señor Televisión" (Mr. Television).
In 1953, Ramón and his group traveled to New York City. They performed for the large Puerto Rican community there. Their show "El Tremendo Hotel" had sold-out performances for three weeks.
Actor and Songwriter
Ramón Rivero acted in movies too. He was in the Cuban movie Una Gallega en la Habana. In 1953, he played the main role of "Pepe" in Los Peloteros ("The Baseball Players"). This movie is considered one of the best ever made in Puerto Rico. It also starred Puerto Rican actress Míriam Colón.
Los Peloteros tells a true story. It's about a man named Pepe. He coaches a group of poor children who want to play baseball. Even though no one takes him seriously, he helps them raise money for their team.
Ramón Rivero was also a talented writer. He wrote over 3,000 scripts for radio, theater, TV, and movies. He wrote books too, like ¿Por qué se ríe la gente? (What Makes People Laugh). He also wrote El Album de la Radio, which was the first history book about radio in Puerto Rico. Ramón also composed more than ten songs. Some of his songs include "¿Por qué será?" and "Hola, don Pepito".
A Champion for Good Causes
In 1953, Ramón Rivero organized the world's first known Walk-A-Thon. He walked 80 miles from San Juan to Ponce. This journey crossed tough mountain roads. He did this to raise money for the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer.
In just four days, Ramón raised about $85,000! This Walk-A-Thon became a historic event. It inspired many similar events around the world. Ramón also stood up for people who faced unfair treatment. He led the first actors' strike on the island. He was also the first TV producer to actively fight against racial prejudice. He included Black actors like Juan Boria in his TV shows.
Lasting Legacy
In 1955, Ramón's doctors told him to work less. But his sponsor, Cervecería India, wanted him to keep producing three TV shows a week. Ramón refused and resigned. He then started a new show, "La Farándula Corona," with a different sponsor. This new show also became very popular.
Ramón Rivero sadly passed away suddenly on August 24, 1956. He had a heart condition. He was planning to help the town of Yabucoa after a hurricane. Ramón had five children. He was buried in Cementerio Santa María Magdalena de Pazzi in San Juan. The island declared two weeks of national mourning. About 50,000 people attended his burial.
Ramón Rivero's memory is still honored today. The Government of Puerto Rico declared a national Ramon Rivero "Diplo" day in 2009. His hometown of Naguabo named a neighborhood after him. In 1965, a 15-foot bronze statue of "Diplo" was put in the town square.
A poet named Juan Antonio Corretjer wrote a poem for him called "Morir y Reír (A Ramón Rivero)". In 2006, a law was passed making May 29 the "Day of Ramón Ortiz del Rivero (Diplo)". In 2009, a "Diplo Returns to San Juan" walkathon raised nearly $200,000. Also in 2009, a book about him was released called "Diplo! ¿Por qué se reía la gente?".
Awards and Special Recognition
- Rey de la Farándula (King of Showbusiness)
- Señor Televisión (Mr. Television)
TV Creator and Producer
- La Taberna India
- La Farándula Corona
Theater Shows
- El Tremendo Hotel
- A mi me matan pero yo gozo
- La familia del lío
- Diplo contra Hitler
- El Príncipe Wele Wele
- Ese niño es mio
- Hay que defenderse
Films
- Los Peloteros
- Una Gallega en la Habana
Radio Shows
- El Tremendo Hotel
- La vida en broma
- El colegio del amor
- La agencia del amor
Music Composed by Rivero
- ¿Por qué será?
- Donde quiera que tú vayas
- Hola, don Pepito
- Las Penas de mi amor
- Llora monina
- Ya me olvidaste
- Juan Calalú
- Me gustó
- La vieja se desmayó
Books Written by Rivero
- El album de la radio (1941-1948)
- ¿Por qué se ríe la gente?
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican comedians
Images for kids
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Ramón Rivero at the Stork Club in New York City.
