By Gustavo Castro Caycedo
On January 11, 2016, the incomparable Carlos Muñoz died, or better, “Carlitos” as he was called by those who stopped him every day of his life on the street so that he could give them his autograph, and the viewers they admired in all Colombian homes the talented performances of the best actor he has ever had from Colombia.
This note is just a summary of the immense talent of Carlitos for which he was declared the best Colombian actor of the 20th century, and of the 21st until the first days of 2016. It is also a way to highlight his immense human quality. There is no doubt, his disappearance was an immense loss for Colombia.
Today is a good January day to remember his brilliant career that generated affection and admiration in all homes, because he became a member of Colombian families, without distinction of class: low, medium or high. Carlos Muñoz was universal for several generations. Carlitos never had enemies or opponents, although he did have some ingrates who perhaps did not tolerate his success and independence.
Nobody will be able to recreate the Colombians and make their lives so happy, as Carlos Muñoz did, with his characters: “Adán Corona”, in “But I’m still the King”; “Pedro Camacho”, in “La Tía Julia y el Escribidor”; “Epifanio Del Cristo Martínez”, in “Caballo Viejo”; and “Oliverio Currea”, in “Amándote”. And with many others on television and theater, where he made history with his brilliant monologue in “La Fiaca.”
He was awarded in Spain with the “Ondas Award” for his novel “Caballo Viejo”. In China, in 1994, “But I’m Still the King” was honored as “Best Foreign Production.” He was also awarded for his performance in the Italian film, “Più forte, ragazzi!”, (Stronger boys!), In which he starred with famous actors Bud Spencer, Terence Hill, Robert Spafford, and Edward Mannix
When he “saved” the Colombian clergy and John Paul II wrote to him
His performance as “El Padre Pioquinto Quintero”, in “San Tropel”, broadcast at an embarrassing moment for the Colombian clergy by the almost forgotten scandal of the Vocational Fund, made his performance in that novel issued at that time, he showed the friendly face of a good band-aid, which transcended in the Vatican, from where Pope John Paul II, (today Saint), sent him a warm letter of gratitude for the impact of his character that returned the image to the clergy, and congratulations for his characterization .
Covadonga Rivero Álvarez wrote him a letter from Spain: “Don Carlos, my dear sir; After having seen him very recently in the beautiful series ‘Caballo Viejo’, I dare to treat him with more confidence and affection, because I have laughed with his genius and cried with his good work as a great actor, wisdom, and tenderness (…) Forgive me the I am daring to address you, but I wanted to give you my respectful greetings and my sincere congratulations for allowing us to know the customs and culture of Colombia, your charming country ”:
The Ministry of Culture awarded him in 2002, arguing that “for more than five decades he has left a profound mark on the Colombian collective imagination, on radio, film, theater and television.” His soap operas were successful in Russia, China, Spain, Romania, and in other countries in Europe and Asia; also in the United States, and throughout Latin America.
He triumphed against the greats of Mexico
He interpreted characters from works by the most prominent classical authors; of the Greek tragedies and the universal theater. The newspaper El Excelsior, expressed: “The demanding public of ‘Galleries Excelsior, the intellectual cream of Mexico City, exploded the night before night in cheers and applause for the Colombian actor Carlos Muñoz at the end of the function of the new Chamber Theater. Among the attendees were the novelists Juan Rulfo, Rafael F. Muñoz, the director Álvaro Custodio, the poet León Felipe, the critic Miguel Guardia, members of the diplomatic corps and high-ranking Mexican personalities and other famous people ”.
His career as an artist was strengthened by being the protagonist of great national soap operas. He stood out in theater performances, and in traditional comedies such as “Yo y Tú”, the most successful on our TV in the last century.
Carlos Muñoz won all the awards given in Colombia from the middle of the 20th century, until his death; some of several times; and several international. He was awarded and decorated by presidents, ambassadors, ministers, governors, mayors and by all kinds of institutions.
I could not stop referring to him without highlighting his soul and heart full of immense human value, for which we remember him today who had the privilege of having shared part of his journey in this world.
Carlitos left exactly five years ago, but as I said, he stayed in the hearts of millions of Colombians with all the good that his life offered: a lot of talent, joy, sincerity, righteousness, simplicity, kindness, loyalty, and a model home that he shared. with Luz Helena, Valentina, Juan Camilo, Manuela, Juan Diego, Camilo and Jonathan.
He distinguished himself as a man devoid of selfishness, he was vertical, and a true friend of his friends, among whom I had the privilege of sharing his great friendship that lasted 52 years, as he said, “being rather his brother.”
He himself said that you were an “inveterate joys”, and laughed
I learned many good things from him, and received his constant encouragement. I had him as an example of life, for his immense virtues. We would have liked to have close to that human being for a long time who always fulfilled his commitments of soul, friendship and honor, because for him the word had as much value or more than that of a contract and the virtue of which he thought of others before himself, voluntarily assuming obligations, because he was born to serve others.
Carlos loved and knew how to enjoy life; he himself said that you were a “inveterate joys” and laughed. His human quality reached the bottom of the hearts of all of us, his friends, and the Colombians who knew him well in the countless interviews they did with him, that is why we all miss them. He left with the honor of having been not only the best actor in Colombia, but also a great husband, father, grandfather and citizen.
His joy was contagious, he sowed optimism wherever he went, always smiling, positive, sensitive, kind, generous, and, above all: Always sir !, a good Christian and a fervent lover of Christmas celebrations.
A phrase of his in my book, “Human Stories of Dogs and Cats”, complemented the reflection of his soul. He said: “I wonder, and I have an answer that perhaps many human beings have not thought: Why is the blood of the vast majority of living beings that inhabit the earth red? Between us and pets there are very similar things: sentiment, love, loyalty, and even blood; is that they give an example of what many supposedly human beings sadly lack.
–
