Freddy Beras-Goico

Freddy Reinaldo Antonio Beras-Goico (November 21, 1940 – November 18, 2010), popularly known as "Freddy Beras" or just "Beras-Goico", was a Dominican comedian, TV presenter, writer and media personality for over 30 years. He hosted the TV show El Gordo de La Semana and he was a staple of primetime (and late night) TV. He was one of the most recognized personalities in the Dominican Republic.[1]

Freddy Beras-Goico
Born
Freddy Reinaldo Antonio Beras-Goico

(1940-11-21)November 21, 1940
Santa Lucía, El Seibo, Dominican Republic
DiedNovember 18, 2010(2010-11-18) (aged 69)
New York City, U.S.
Occupationcomedian, TV presenter, writer
Years active1958–2010

Biography

During the 1950s, his family fled the Dominican Republic due to the brutal regime of the Trujillo dictatorship and settled in Colombia, where he spent several years before returning to his homeland. These experiences would shape his comedic style, making him a well-known entertainer for years to come. He was also tortured by the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo.[2]

Career

Early in his career Beras-Goico's comedic style was mainly based on sketch comedy vignettes in several daytime TV shows, later moving on to having his own personal show, El Gordo De La Semana (lit. The Fat Guy of The Week), which matured into a successful TV variety show. The show's roster of comedians and personalities included: Cuquín Victoria, Milton Peláez, Roberto Salcedo, and others.

Personal life and family

The origin of the Beras (his father’s family name) is Lebanese, and originally it was spelled as Bárah;[3] and the origin of Goico (his mother’s family name) is Serbian, originally spelled as Goicovich (Gojković/Гојковић).[3][4] By his mother he also had French and Russian ancestry.[3]

Beras Goico married twice, first to the singer Luchy Vicioso, and then to his now widow Pilar Mejía. He had several children. He was nephew of the archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Octavio Beras;[3] and cousin of Spanish-language television star Charytín Goyco.[3]

In his late years, he converted to Christianity.[5]

Career

Beras Goico returned to the Dominican Republic in the sixties. He started his career working as cameraman. Then in advertising but was always linked to television. Many times, Beras-Goico and the crew would laugh themselves to tears.

He began creating comedic shows for radio and TV, and met many friends that became, along with him, the best comedy team of Dominican television: Felipe Polanco, Cuquin Victoria,[6] Cecilia Garcia, Milton Pelaez, Nany Peña,[7] Kenny Grullón, and many more. During most comedy sketches, Beras-Goico and his actors were rarely able to stifle their laughter. Sometimes, Beras-Goico's laughter would become so contagious, that soon the entire cast and crew would start shaking in hysterical attempts to control their own laughter.

He also created his own weekly show, El Gordo de la Semana and Punto Final, a late night TV show.

Beras Goico was well known for his philanthropic work, especially for providing medical assistance to poor Dominicans. Recently, he won the Casandra Award for best actor, for his role in Victor/Victoria, and hosted the nightly show "Con Freddy y Punto", where he shared host duties with "Boruga" and Pamela Sued, the wife of his son Giancarlo.

Death

Beras Goico died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City after battling pancreatic cancer, just three days before his 70th birthday. Before his death, Several rumours about his death appeared, his death was confirmed by the wife of his son Giancarlo Beras, on November 18, 2010, at 4:30 am and by his son later on his Twitter account.

Legacy

A metro station in Santo Domingo is named after him.

gollark: That's the automatic redaction routines built into the server at work.
gollark: Maybe ██████ Siri has just infected my computer and is *saying* this.
gollark: Well, if someone else asks again (and doesn't think to check the logs here or something) I can come up with something, I guess.
gollark: Of course, it could exist but be insidious enough that I haven't noticed it.
gollark: There is not, as far as I know, an actual program like that, I made it up as a joke.

References
  1. Estilo|s – Freddy Beras Goico, comunicador y empresario
  2. "Freddy Beras Goico (1940-2010) Biografía" (in Spanish). Pontifical Catholic University Mother and Teacher. 2012. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2014. Freddy y Máximo participan en actividades subversivas en contra del régimen de Trujillo. En varias ocasiones fueron apresados y torturados, pese a las circunstancias sus actividades subversivas no amainaron.
  3. Núñez, Milcíades (4 December 2010). "Cápsulas genealógicas - Freddy Beras Goico: in memoriam". Hoy (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  4. René Goyco (27 January 2000). "Researching Goyco, Goico, Goicovich" (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  5. Troi Orlando Espejo (22 May 2008). "Con la fe cristiana, Beras Goico ahora ve la vida desde otro ángulo". Hoy (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  6. Estilo|s – Cuquín Victoria, personajes a medida
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