The actor, theater director, comedian and producer, with a trajectory of more than 50 years, is remembered for his roles in productions such as “Losing is a matter of method”, “Until silver separates us”, among others.
Carlos Benjumea, born in Bogotá on January 27, 1941 and known to Colombians as “El Gordo” Benjumea, had been in the artistic world for more than 50 years. He initially participated in several productions, playing humorous roles in films such as ‘The millionaire taxi driver’ or ‘The Latino immigrant’, which aired between 1970 and 1980.
The news of his death was confirmed through the social networks of the Caracol Televisión program La Red , although there is still no information on the causes of his death.
The very first first actor Carlos ‘El Gordo’ Benjumea has just passed away.
He left a great artist who gave his talent for more than 50 years. A generous man, a great dad, an excellent husband, and an unconditional friend. Today we say goodbye to him thanking him for all his work. pic.twitter.com/WAxaqzKLic
– La Red Caracol (@LaRedCaracol) May 13, 2021
Among his extensive career, “El Gordo Benjumea” participated in more than 25 productions, among which recently stand out “There I wait for you”, “The law of the heart”, “An honest bandit”, “Sweet love”, among others.
In the cinema, “El Gordo” is remembered for his roles in “ The river of the tombs” (1964), Father by accident (1981) and “El Culebro: The story of my dad” (2017).
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In addition to being an actor, he was also a presenter in several programs such as “See to learn”, “Sabariedades”, “Theater exam”, “Estudio 15 and” Cantata para la patria boba “.
Among his great friends, the actor Fernando González Pacheco was always present, whom he described as a great companion and friend, not only for him but also for everyone in the country. He was the one who accompanied and entertained Colombian families for many nights .
‘El Gordo’ also recounted how they became partners with Coestrellas, a company with which they managed to be bidders on public television and “considering we were crazy”.
There they produced unforgettable programs such as ‘Citas con Pacheco’, ‘Pacheco insólito’, ‘El teatro de los Thursdays’, ‘Sabariedades’, ‘Buy the orchestra’, ‘Follow the track’ and “how much madness we came up with on television”. He also said that ” hearing him interview was a delight because he did not prepare the interview but knew the people .”
In addition to being present on the big and small screens, he was also a theater director, and participated in works such as “The Canterville Ghost” (1971), “Don’t discover me, Cristóbal” (1977), Doña Rosita la soltera “(1999) ), and “Prostatic Dialogues” (2005).
Benjumea was highlighted by his charisma and great sense of humor, although in 2020 the actor moved away from the cameras after undergoing an emergency operation, because his spinal cord was oppressed and that caused severe pain in his back. and legs. In addition to this problem, Benjumea also suffered from kidney failure.
Today Colombian television is in mourning, as it has said goodbye to one of its greatest icons.
