Movies

Pablo Cruz Guerrero didn’t grow up with ‘El Chavo,’ but Chespirito became his purpose

BBG News

Unlike many Mexican children past and present, Pablo Cruz Guerrero wasn’t raised on the widely acclaimed sitcoms that were written, produced, and performed by the legendary Roberto Gómez Bolaños, more famously recognized as “Chespirito” or “Little Shakespeare.

Amazing to reflect on the fact that back in the day, the family-friendly shows of Gómez Bolaños were enjoyed by an astounding 300 million viewers worldwide! And here we are, half a century later, and his programs continue to be cultural touchstones throughout Latin America, even reaching Portuguese-speaking Brazil. Truly a testament to timeless entertainment.

The impact of this program is not limited to just the U.S., but also resonates within diasporic communities. This influence persists even through reruns, continually introducing his characters to fresh audiences. Moreover, the catchphrases written by Gómez Bolaños have become deeply embedded in everyday language across multiple countries.

His best-known work, ‘El Chavo del Ocho,’ focuses on a young orphan boy who lives in a courtyard apartment building populated with eccentric neighbors, and it was him who portrayed the character. Additionally, there’s ‘El Chapulín Colorado,’ a humorous series that lampoons superheroes wearing tights, where Gómez Bolaños took on the role of an inept yet kind-hearted knight (the word chapulín means grasshopper in Mexico).

It’s astonishing that Cruz Guerrero, aged 41, who is now portraying Gómez Bolaños in the new series “Chespirito: Not Really on Purpose” (“Chespirito: Sin querer queriendo”), which starts streaming on Max from Thursday with weekly episodes, hadn’t been acquainted with these iconic shows or characters before.

The actor’s detachment from the nostalgic world of physical comedy, wordplay, and social commentary that Chespirito built allowed him an advantage during auditions, he feels.

He expresses that he’s trying to persuade himself that this was the single factor that enabled him to achieve an objective perspective on the story, during a recent video chat from Mexico City. If he were a fan, he admits he would have been quite anxious while handling the character.

Initially, it was casting director Isabel Cortázar who recognized Cruz Guerrero’s hidden talent. In the heart of 2023, she invited him to try out for the role, an opportunity he would not have envisioned for himself prior to her call. “Hadn’t I received her call,” he reflects, “I wouldn’t have imagined myself as Chespirito. No one had ever suggested before that I resembled him.

Entertainment & Arts

Hardly an understatement, the impact Roberto Gómez Bolaños had during childhood years for Spanish speakers worldwide was immense.

Roberto Gómez Bolaños left a huge mark on the childhood memories of many Spanish speakers across the globe.

For approximately two decades, Cruz Guerrero has been regularly appearing in both films like “El Estudiante” and “From Prada to Nada,” as well as television shows. In more recent times, he delivered a striking performance as an antagonist during the second and third seasons of the Netflix series titled “Luis Miguel: The Series.” This series is another biography focusing on the renowned Mexican singer, portrayed by Diego Boneta.

Cruz Guerrero suggests that since his parents resided in Los Angeles for three years prior to his and his siblings’ births, they may have been more drawn to cultural content not originating from Mexico. Instead of exposing them to Chespirito’s work, they took them to cinemas, outdoor concerts, and museum exhibitions during their childhood.

Interestingly enough, Cruz Guerrero has been featured in numerous TV shows from Televisa, the very same esteemed broadcaster known for airing Chespirito’s work.

In middle school, Cruz Guerrero found himself at a disadvantage socially and comedically because many of his friends were familiar with Chespirito’s jokes and could mimic the characters’ voices, but he didn’t understand the humor or recognize the voices.

Whenever presented with an opportunity to compete for the role, he eagerly devoured every bit of Chespirito material available online, ranging from Gomez Bolaños portraying his characters to any interviews that he had given.

Each week for approximately seven weeks, Cruz Guerrero had to attend an intense audition process every Tuesday. This wasn’t just about acting out scenes from “Chespirito,” but also involved a series of additional tests. With each meeting, he got one step closer to Gómez Bolaños. He tried on costumes, worked with the actors who would portray his children, shaved off his beard, and donned the wig, prosthetic nose, contact lenses, and receding hairline needed for the role.

As time went by and the weeks passed, Cruz Guerrero remained uncertain if he would be chosen for the role, particularly since he had informed the Gómez Bolaños family, who were associated with the production, about his lack of experience with Chespirito.

The actor remembers them appearing to be contemplating, “Is it wise to align with someone who may not truly appreciate my father’s legacy yet?”

Or simply:

The actor recollects their expressions suggesting doubt about working with someone who might not yet fully embrace his father’s legacy.

In the end, it was Cruz Guerrero’s incredible ability to mimic Chespirito’s mannerisms and speech that won them over. On the other hand, Gómez Bolaños’ performance evoked the physical comedy style of silent film legends like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: “While walking, I found myself experimenting by using my feet and knees, which not only helped me get a bit closer to Roberto’s height but also allowed me to infuse a touch of playfulness into my movements with my body.” And just like that, I added some flair to my steps!

Roberto Gómez Fernandez, Chespirito’s son, openly shared that he harbored initial reservations concerning Cruz Guerrero. The production of the show had already been underway for roughly four years at that juncture, with the preceding two years dedicated to finding suitable actors to bring the world of Gómez Bolaños back to life.

Gradually, as Cruz Guerrero fine-tuned his act and the makeup brought him closer to Chespirito’s likeness, Gómez Fernández grew increasingly certain that they had found their ideal candidate.

In a recent Zoom conversation, Gómez Fernandez observed, “There are moments when I see my father in Pablo, particularly during intricate situations on set and in subtle gestures like a wink or a quick glance.

As a cinephile, their approval filled me with strength. They’d often tell me things like, “I felt your father speaking through you,” or “We had a heart-to-heart just like dad and I used to.” Or even, “I shook his hand and gave him a hug, just like we did.” Hearing these words moved me profoundly. It made me feel more connected, less plagued by self-doubt due to my past distance.

After securing the part, Cruz Guerrero delved deep into Gómez Bolaños’ life, both personal and professional, through his autobiography “Sin querer queriendo.” This book serves as a connection between the actor and the creator who passed away in 2014, providing the series with its title.

Cruz Guerrero expresses that he attempted to converse about abstract philosophies using the words the author penned and revised in his book. He posed queries to the author, and he feels they exchanged profound discussions, largely facilitated by the book.

In the given text, Cruz Guerrero’s inquiries primarily focused on understanding and finding a solution for work-life balance, specifically as it pertains to fatherhood.

During our work lives, there are instances of joyful discovery where we’re engrossed in our creative endeavors and having a wonderful time,” he notes. “But, it’s also important to recognize that these moments come with the understanding that we’re meeting contractual obligations and pursuing financial rewards. Consequently, this can result in dedicating significant amounts of time and effort, often leading us to prioritize our professional commitments over family time, causing us to miss out on precious moments with our loved ones.

That struggle became rather personal for the actor during this process.

Cruz Guerrero recollects that he discovered he was becoming a father for the first time in the same week he learned he would portray Roberto. Eager to learn about his role as a father from him, based on his personal experiences and the journey I was soon to embark on playing him.

The show often depicts Cruz Guerrero wearing the iconic costumes of Chavo del Ocho and Chapulín Colorado, but it primarily explores the genuine person behind these characters.

Additionally, the book functioned as a base for Gomez Fernandez and his sister Paulina when drafting the scripts for each episode. Notably, they both played producer roles and were instrumental in making decisions regarding the entire project.

For Roberto Gómez Fernández, it was crucial that the series didn’t transform into a somber, hallowed homage to the towering persona his father embodied.

He explains that instead of focusing on his father, he was contemplating the character of Roberto Gómez Bolaños. He clarifies that these weren’t actual individuals; rather, they needed to be molded into characters. Sometimes, he adds, certain adjustments are necessary to enhance the dramatic interactions.

Although the series contains some fictional elements, Gómez Fernandez feels it accurately portrays the true nature of his father as an individual.

According to Gómez Fernandez, we seem to have reached our goal, yet the journey required us to dissect the character’s victories and setbacks, some of which had profound impacts on his life. While certain aspects worked out favorably for him, others took a turn for the worse, and he unfortunately caused harm to others as well.

Cruz Guerrero isn’t surprised that, despite not holding Chespirito in high regard before, he ended up being the one to adapt his life story for film.

As I found myself gripped by fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt, I couldn’t help but wonder aloud, “Geez, how did I wind up in this predicament?” But then, my worries were swiftly swept away by a fit of laughter upon catching sight of the show’s “Not Really on Purpose.” The man spoke with a self-assured smile.

After over twenty years primarily playing secondary characters, Cruz Guerrero is relishing the main accolade of his career thus far – an achievement that’s clearly significant.

Cruz Guerrero expresses his heartfelt appreciation for the family, as they selected him to portray a cherished character that holds significant meaning in their personal narrative. He cherishes this experience deeply and extends his thanks to Roberto Gomez Bolaños for the opportunity.

Read More

2025-06-05 13:32

Previous post Beloved British period drama confirmed for “truly electric” retelling with stacked cast
Next post Ulrika Jonsson marks one year of sobriety by sharing ‘drunk’ before and after photos as she admits ‘the journey goes on’