Ramón Valdés

Ramón Antonio Esteban Gómez de Valdés y Castillo[2][3] (2 September 1923 – 9 August 1988),[4] often credited as Ramón Valdés (at times Valdéz) , was a Mexican actor and comedian. He is best remembered for his portrayal of Don Ramón. He is also recognized as one of Mexico's best comedians.[5]

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gómez de Valdés and the second or maternal family name is Castillo.
Ramón Valdés
Ramón Valdés as Don Ramón on the show El Chavo del Ocho
Born
Ramón Antonio Esteban Gómez de Valdés y Castillo

(1923-09-02)2 September 1923
Mexico City, Mexico
Died9 August 1988(1988-08-09) (aged 64)
Mexico City, Mexico
Resting placeMausoleos del Ángel
Mexico City, Mexico
Other names
OccupationActor
Years active1945–1988
Notable work
Don Ramón in El Chavo del Ocho
Relatives
FamilyValdés

Born in Mexico City, he was raised in a humble and large family that moved to Ciudad Juárez when he was aged two. Valdés made his acting debut at cinema in the movie Tender Pumpkins (1949), appearing along with his brother, Germán Valdés, already an actor better known as "Tin-Tan", and who introduced Ramón into the acting world. Under extra or supporting roles, he continued making appearances in films during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. Ramón and Germán had two other brothers, also actors, Manuel Valdés, better known as "Manuel "El Loco" Valdés", and Antonio Valdés, better known as "El Ratón Valdés".

In 1968, Valdés met Roberto Gómez Bolaños, better known as "Chespirito", with whom he began working on programs such as Los supergenios de la mesa cuadrada, Chespirito and El Chapulín Colorado. It was on Bolaños's sitcom El Chavo del Ocho that he gained international fame for his portrayal of Don Ramón. He left El Chavo del Ocho in 1979 but returned in 1981 for his final year on the project.

In 1982, Valdés starred with Carlos Villagrán on the Venezuelan sitcom Federrico and on Ah que Kiko in 1987. Neither program had the success that was expected.

Life and career

1923–1968: Childhood, early career and multiple films

Ramón Gómez Valdés de Castillo was born on 2 September 1923 at Mexico City. His parents were Rafael Gómez-Valdés Angellini and Guadalupe Castillo.[6] He lived a quiet childhood, without being surrounded by many luxuries.[7] He had several brothers, Germán Valdés "Tin Tan", Manuel "El Loco" Valdés, Antonio Valdés "El Ratón Valdés", Guadalupe, Angela, Cristóbal, Antonio and Armando. He was nicknamed "El Moncho".[7] At the age of two, his family moved to Ciudad Juárez.[6][8]

In his youth, Valdés earned his living in multiple activities and trades, and due to this instability, he sometimes faced economic problems.[7] At the same time he began his artistic career thanks to the support of his brother Germán ("Tin Tan"), who took him to act with him in different projects, so he participated in more than 50 films of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.[7] His film debut took place on Tender Pumpkins (1949).[9] He continued appearing on multiple movies as an extra or with supporting roles till he met Roberto Gomez Bolaños (Chespirito) in 1968.[7]

1968–1980: Meeting with Chespirito and career success

In 1968, he met Roberto Gomez Bolaños (Chespirito) on the program Sábados de la fortuna, Bolaños saw the talent of Váldes and he made him part of the cast of comedians for his new television project called Los supergenios de la mesa cuadrada,[10] where he performed along with María Antonieta de las Nieves and Rubén Aguirre. Then the program changed its name to Chespirito.[11] It was so successful that it was on television for many years. Then came the television bomb El Chavo del Ocho in 1971,[12] where he played Don Ramón, achieving more success and recognition than he had experienced before. It is said that his character was similar to Váldes in real life. Coworker Rubén Aguirre stated:

Ramón Valdés was hard to work with. There were always delays in the tapings because Don Ramón would be late.[6]

He also participated in El Chapulín Colorado airing in 1973 in which he portrayed multiple characters.[13]

1980–1988: Return with Chespirito and final projects

After quitting the part of Don Ramon in El Chavo del Ocho, Valdés continued making films until 1986.[14]

He returned to television in 1981, performing in "Chespirito" as his former characters. He also returned to "El Chavo del Ocho", this being kept as a secret until the moment of recording.[15] According to the history behind his return on one of the episodes in the series, Váldes entered the set to surprise La Chilindrina (María Antonieta de las Nieves) and such was the surprise of the actress, that the tears shed during that scene were real.[15] Valdés only stayed one more year in the production as at the end of that year he left the program forever.[15]

In 1982, Valdés returned to television with Carlos Villagrán on the Venezuelan program Federrico and on Ah que Kiko with these two being his final projects.[7][16]

Other media

In 1984, Váldez starred in a musical program entitled "Aprendiz de Pirata" (Spanish for "Pirate Apprentice") with Luis Miguel in which he performed his song "Tú No Tienes Corazón" of his 1984 album Palabra de honor.[17][18]

Valdés is featured under his Don Ramón character as one of the 12 characters of the 2014 kart racing game El Chavo Kart based on the El Chavo: The Animated Series.[19]

Personal life

He was of Italian descent.[6] Valdés owned a circus.[8] According to Valdés, he had a falling out with Chespirito after he refused to lend Valdés 20,000 pesos he needed to buy a house.[20]

Valdés had three wives and, as a result of his relationships, had 10 children.[6][21] One of his wives was the singer Araceli Julián.[6]

Valdés kept a strong friendship with an actress on El Chavo del Ocho, Angelines Fernández, better known on the show as Doña Clotilde "La Bruja del 71".[21] At Valdés's funeral, Fernández stayed standing in front of his coffin and crying inconsolably because of his death.[21] He was also good friends with María Antonieta de las Nieves.[15]

He was the uncle of Mexican pop singer Cristian Castro; his brother Manuel "El Loco" Váldes is Castro's father.[22]

Death
Valdés's crypt with wrong birthdate at Mausoleos del Ángel in Mexico City
Inscription at Ramón Valdés's crypt

Valdés was a tobacco smoker and people close to him stated that it was not unusual to see him with a cigarette in the recording sets.[16]

On 9 August 1988, Valdés died of stomach cancer at age 64. The cancer had spread to his spinal cord.[16] Valdés was entombed at Mausoleos del Ángel in Mexico City,[23] the same cemetery where Angelines Fernández rests.[24]

Legacy

Valdés is remembered as one of the most beloved actors from El Chavo del Ocho for portraying Don Ramón.[7][6]

Posthumous documentary

On 17 May 2019, a trailer on Valdés’ official YouTube account was released for Con permisito dijo Monchito (Spanish for, Excuse me, said Little Moncho), a documentary featuring Valdés's life with unpublished material, interviews with fans and fellow co-workers and little known things about him.[25]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1949 Tender Pumpkins Willy
1949 Soy charro de levita Don Primitivo Uncredited
1949 Novia a la medida Amigo de Rafael Uncredited
1950 The King of the Neighborhood El Norteño
1950 The Mark of the Fox Guardia Uncredited
1950 Simbad el mareado Hampón con lentes Uncredited
1950 El Revoltoso Detective Uncredited
1951 Oh Darling! Look What You've Done! Panadero Uncredited
1951 Kill Me Because I'm Dying! Uncredited
1952 Las locuras de Tin Tán Detective Uncredited
1952 The Beautiful Dreamer Cavernario Uncredited
1953 You've Got Me By the Wing González Uncredited
1953 The Vagabond
1953 God Created Them Ramón; Otto
1953 The Unknown Mariachi Detective Uncredited
1954 Mulata Marinero Uncredited
1955 Escuela de vagabundos Taxista Uncredited
1955 La vida no vale nada Chófer de autobús Uncredited
1956 Una movida chueca
1956 Pura vida Caimán Uncredited
1956 El sultán descalzo Vendedor de tacos Uncredited
1956 El vividor El norteño
1956 Botas de oro Uncredited
1956 El inocente Mecánico Extra
1957 Las aventuras de Pito Pérez Trailer
1957 Los tres mosqueteros y medio Rochefort
1958 Escuela para suegras Albañil Uncredited
1958 Refifi entre las mujeres Empleado de don Luis Uncredited
1958 A Thousand and One Nights
1958 La odalisca nº 13
1959 Tres lecciones de amor Tijerino, jefe de policía Uncredited
1959 El cofre del pirata
1959 Escuela de verano Anastacio
1959 Vivir del cuento Dos pisos Uncredited
1960 Variedades de medianoche Flaco, empleado televicentro Uncredited
1960 Tin Tan y las modelos Cocodrilo Uncredited
1960 Una estrella y dos estrellados Hipólito, mesero
1960 The Phantom of the Operetta Policía Uncredited
1961 El pandillero Locutor
1961 El duende y yo Ramón, borracho en cantina
1961 Viva Chihuahua
1961 Escuela de valientes Andrés, caporal Uncredited
1961 Los inocentes
1961 Juventud rebelde El ratas Uncredited
1962 El tigre negro Bandido Uncredited
1962 El malvado Carabel Tendero
1962 El centauro del Norte
1962 Cazadores de asesinos Bandido Uncredited
1962 Dinamita Kid Damián Uncredited
1962 Los valientes no mueren
1962 ¡En peligro de muerte! Hillbilly
1962 Ruletero a toda marcha Juez registro civil Uncredited
1963 Los Amigos Maravilla en el mundo de la aventura Uncredited
1963 El tesoro del rey Salomón Alí Ben
1963 Vuelven los Argumedo Uncredited
1963 Fuerte, audaz y valiente
1963 Entrega inmediata Original XU 777
1964 Buenos días, Acapulco chofer gangoso de Ricardo
1964 Vivir de sueños
1964 La sonrisa de los pobres
1964 Mi alma por un amor Director de cine
1964 Héroe a la fuerza Papá de Caín y Abel
1964 Campeón del barrio Gancho
1965 El amor no es pecado' Don Cosme
1965 El padre Diablo
1965 Diablos en el cielo
1965 Mi héroe
1965 El pecador Mesero Juan
1965 El rifle implacable Roque
1965 Tintansón Crusoe God Mio Mao
1965 Los fantasmas burlones Empleado carnaval
1965 El señor doctor Paciente Vendado Uncredited
1966 El tragabalas Soldado
1966 El falso heredero Joselito el vagabundo
1966 Cada quién su lucha Malhechor, Badín's Henchman
1966 Tirando a gol Juez registro civil
1966 ¡Viva Benito Canales! Lencho Uncredited
1966 Cargamento prohibido Hombre en cabaret Uncredited
1966 El ángel y yo Chilaquil
1966 El indomable
1966 La cigüeña distraída El Flaco, ladrón
1967 Crisol Efrain
1967 Retablos de la Guadalupana
1967 El pícaro
1967 Un par de roba chicos Robachico
1968 El caudillo
1968 Corona de lágrimas Conductor del camión de gas Uncredited
1969 Cuernos debajo de la cama Detective
1969 Duelo en El Dorado Esbirro de Poveda Uncredited
1969 El aviso inoportuno El sastre
1970 Gregorio y su ángel
1970 Los juniors Uncredited
1970 El cuerpazo del delito El gordo (segment "La rebelde")
1970 La hermanita Dinamita Conductor de ambulancia
1970 El capitán Mantarraya El Ingeniebrio
1970 Chanoc en las garras de las fieras Don Arturo
1970 ¡Ahí, madre! Entrenador de futbol
1971 El profe Papá de Martín Uncredited
1971 Los Beverly del Peralvillo Cliente afeminado taxi
1972 Chanoc contra el tigre y el vampiro Pata larga
1972 Hijazo de mi vidaza
1973 Entre pobretones y ricachones Uncredited
1973 Chanoc y las tarántulas
1974 Algo es algo dijo el diablo
1975 Chanoc en el foso de las serpientes Tsekub Baloyán
1977 Chanoc en la isla de los muertos
1979 El Chanfle Mr. Moncho Reyes
1979 En esta primavera
1979 Chanoc en el circo Unión Tsekub Baloyán
1979 El secuestro de los cien millones
1981 OK Mister Pancho Gran Jefe Chivo Loco
1983 Los gatilleros del diablo
1984 Luis Miguel, aprendiz de pirata Short
1986 El más valiente del mundo

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1968 Los supergenios de la mesa cuadrada
1970–1981 Chespirito Various characters
1972–1981 El Chavo del Ocho Don Ramón
1973–1981 El Chapulín Colorado Various characters
1983 Federrico Don Moncho
1987–1988 ¡Ah, qué Kiko! Don Ramón (final appearance)

References
  1. "Hace 29 años falleció el conocido actor mexicano Ramón Valdés". Perú.21 (in Spanish). 9 August 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  2. "¿Y la renta? Estos fueron los trabajos de 'Don Ramón' en 'El chavo del 8'". Milenio (in Spanish). 9 August 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  3. "'Ron Damón', el original autógrafo que Ramón Valdés le dejo a su hija". Semana (in Spanish). 26 July 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  4. "2 de septiembre – Ramón Antonio Esteban Gómez de Valdés y Castillo" (in Spanish). 2 September 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  5. "Montaje de Don Ramón en La Voz arrasa en redes sociales". Teleamazonas (in Spanish). 8 November 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  6. "Ramón Valdés biografía" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 February 2007.
  7. "Biografía de Ramón Valdés Castillo". Biografias.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  8. "La historia de Ramón Valdés". Chespirito.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  9. "Tender Pumpkins (1949)". IMDb. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  10. "Los supergenios de la mesa cuadrada (1968)". IMDb. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  11. "Chespirito (1980–1995)". IMDb. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  12. "El Chavo del Ocho (1972–1979)". IMDb. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  13. "El Chapulín Colorado (1973)". IMDb. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  14. "Ramón Valdés". IMDb. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  15. Ana Lucía Valladares (16 May 2017). "Revelan la verdad detrás de la emotiva escena donde Don Ramón regresa a la vecindad de "El Chavo del 8"". Publinews (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  16. "Don Ramón: 27 años de la partida del ícono latino – FOTOS". La República (in Spanish). 9 August 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  17. Francisco, Inzunza (22 May 2017). "Cuando Don Ramón trató a Luis Miguel como a El Chavo del 8". debate (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  18. Carlos, Barrios (3 May 2018). "Así trató Don Ramón a Luis Miguel cuando trabajaron juntos". debate (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  19. Staffatomix (10 September 2013). "Conoce el Chavo Kart, un nuevo juego latinoamericano". atomix (in Spanish). Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  20. "Se desgrana la mazorca". Chespirito.org (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  21. Hatdadiel, Aragon (7 September 2015). "Don Ramón y 10 datos que te dejarán totalmente sorprendido". debate (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  22. "Cristian Castro conoció a su padre, Manuel 'El Loco' Valdés, a los 31 años: "Me daba mucho miedo"". ¡Hola! (in Spanish). 2 November 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  23. "Cómo murió Ramón Valdés "Don Ramón"". Como Murio (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  24. "Cómo murió Doña Clotilde". Como Murio (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  25. "Don Ramón tendrá documental sobre su vida con material inédito del actor [VIDEO]". La República (in Spanish). 23 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
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