Entertainment
Mexican children’s entertainer Xavier López ‘Chabelo’ dies ‘suddenly’ aged 88 due to abdominal complications-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
The President of Mexico paid tribute to the late star.
The President of Mexico paid tribute to the late star (Picture: Luis Gutierrez/Norte Photo/Getty Images)
Xavier López Rodríguez, the Mexican children’s entertainer known professionally as his character Chabelo, has died at the age of 88.
The announcement was made by the late actor and comedian’s family, who wrote in a statement published on social media, that he had died ‘suddenly’.
In the message translated from Spanish, they wrote: ‘This is a very sad morning, Xavier Lopez Chabelo, father, brother and husband has left us suddenly, cause of abdominal complications.’
They continued: ‘With a torn soul and knowing that many and many people have loved him for many years and that they will feel his departure, we ask you to pray for his rest and give us the opportunity to pass in peace the grief that overwhelms our whole family. Lopez Miranda Family.’
López was best-known for his TV show, En Familia con Chabelo, which ran for almost half a century from 1967 to 2015.
The TV presenter and singer also produced shows including La Cuchufleta and La Güereja Quiere Más, and he was featured in more than 30 films in his career.
López entertained children for decades (Picture: Hector Vivas/Jam Media/LatinContent via Getty Images)
Tributes have poured in for the late performer, with one coming from the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
In his translated statement, the politician wrote: ‘Hugs to family and friends for the death of Xavier López “Chabelo”. How can I forget that my eldest son woke up early to see him over 40 years ago.’
One person wrote: ‘So sad to hear about the dead of Chabelo. Like millions of kids in Mexico, I watched Chabelo’s game show religiously every Sunday morning my entire childhood. His show was on for 48 years, imagine how many families across generations watched him. RIP.’
‘México lost another legend. What a legend, ty for the happy childhood,’ someone else said.
López earned a couple of Guinness World Records in his lifetime, first for his TV show running for 44 years with an uninterrupted broadcast, and then for portraying his character Chabelo for more than 57 years.
The late performer is widely regarded as a legend (Picture: Medios y Media/Getty Images)
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The star was born in Chicago, Illinois before his family moved back to Mexico to live in the city of León.
He is survived by his children and his wife, Teresita Miranda.
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