Luis Ávalos
Luis Ávalos (September 2, 1946 – January 22, 2014) was a Cuban character actor. He made numerous film and television appearances, most notably in the 1971–1977 children's television show The Electric Company.
Luis Ávalos | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | January 22, 2014 67) | (aged
Education | New York University (MFA) |
Occupation | Actor |
Early years
After being born in Havana, Cuba, Ávalos came to the United States with his family when he was a child. He earned a degree in theater from New York University.[1]
Career
Ávalos acted with the Lincoln Center Repertory Theater.[1] His Broadway credits include Narrow Road to the Deep North (1972), The Good Woman of Setzuan (1970), Beggar on Horseback (1970), and Camino Real (1970).[2]
He joined The Electric Company in season two, most notably playing Doctor Doolots (a play on Doctor Dolittle). He was in seasons two through six of this show. He was good friends with fellow Electric Company star Rita Moreno. His most notable movie role was as Ramon in the 1979 comedy Hot Stuff, in which he starred alongside Jerry Reed, Dom DeLuise, and Suzanne Pleshette.
Ávalos also starred as Jesse Rodriguez on the short-lived situation comedy Condo with McLean Stevenson,[3] and as Dr. Tomas Esquivel on the short-lived situation comedy E/R with Elliott Gould and Mary McDonnell.[3]:310 He played Dr. Sanchez on Highcliffe Manor on NBC in 1979[3]:460 and Crecencio Salos in Ned Blessing: The True Story of My Life on CBS in 1993.[3]:747 Additionally, he starred as Stavi in the comedy The Ringer with Johnny Knoxville.
Avalos appeared on the Barney Miller show. He was in the episode "Chase" in 1977 and also the episode "Bones" in 1982.
In 2000, he founded the Americas Theatre Arts Foundation in Los Angeles to support Latin American-inspired dramatic productions.[4]
Death
Avalos died on January 22, 2014, of heart failure, after a heart attack. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) in Los Angeles[5] at Burbank.[6][7]
Filmography
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1973 | Badge 373 | Chico | |
1979 | Hot Stuff | Ramon | |
1980 | The Hunter | Poker Player #3 | |
1980 | Sunday Lovers | (segment "Skippy") | |
1980 | Stir Crazy | Chico | |
1982 | Love Child | Tony | |
1986 | Ghost Fever | Benny | |
1989 | Criminal Act | Coroner | |
1991 | Fires Within | Victor Hernandez | |
1991 | The Butcher's Wife | Luis | |
1995 | Lone Justice 2 | Crecencio | |
1996 | Lone Justice: Showdown at Plum Creek | ||
1997 | Jungle 2 Jungle | Abe | |
1999 | Love Stinks | Judge | |
2002 | Wishcraft | Mayor Phelan | |
2003 | Hollywood Homicide | Det. Willie Palmero | |
2005 | The Ringer | Stavi | |
2008 | Five Dollars a Day | Martinez | (final film role) |
References
- Lentz, Harris M. III (2015). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2014. McFarland. pp. 16–17. ISBN 9780786476664. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- "Roles (8)". Playbill Vault. Playbill. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 206. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
- Seikaly, Andrea. "'The Electric Company' Actor Luis Avalos Dies at 67". Variety. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- "Luis Ávalos, Actor on 'The Electric Company,' Dies at 67". The New York Times. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- Los Angeles Times (27 January 2014). "Obituary: Luis Avalos - LA Times". latimes.com. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
- Armando Tinoco. "Luis Ávalos Dies: 'The Electric Company' Cuban Actor Dead At 67". Latin Times. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
External links
- Luis Ávalos on IMDb
- Luis Ávalos at the TCM Movie Database
- Luis Ávalos at Find a Grave