They never made a film in English; they haven’t made a new movie together in decades. But for whole generations of Latinos around the world, Viruta y Capulina were a major part of their lives.
Viruta–Marco Antonio Campos Contreras–passed away years ago. And now Capulina–Gaspar Hernaine Pérez–has died as well, from complications due to pneumonia and a gastric ulcer.
For Latinos who grew up in the Fifties and Sixties, Viruta y Capulina were among the first Latino faces they saw on television. Yes, they began as Spanish-language versions of Laurel and Hardy, but they became much more. Over the course of 26 movies–all of them simple and hilarious, without cursing or sexual innuendo–he charmed multiple generations, and gave Latino children images that no one else was providing: somebody who looks like me can be on television; someone who looks like me can be famous.
Viruta y Capulina broke up a long time ago. Capulina went on to make 58 more films (including the infamous El Santo vs. Capulina in 1972, co-starring the legendary Mexican wrestler.) And even when the films ended, he kept going, doing stand-up tours until he entered his eighties.
There’s no one like him now; there never will be again. But he was one of the first, and one of the most-loved, and there are literally millions of Latinos who will miss him.
Rest in Peace, Don Capulina.
