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(1946-09-02)September 2, 1946
Havana, Cuba
DiedJanuary 22, 2014(2014-01-22) (aged 67)
Burbank, California, U.S.
EducationNew York University (MFA)
OccupationActor
Years active1970–2008

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]

In 1972, Avalos was a cast member on the PBS children’s TV show The Electric Company, most notably playing Doctor Doolots (a play on Doctor Dolittle). He joined the show in its second season and stayed until the show’s cancellation in 1977. 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 Barney Miller. He was in the episode "Chase" in 1977 and the episode "Bones" in 1982.

In 1989, Avalos made a guest appearance as a judge on Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder.[4]

In 2000, he founded the Americas Theatre Arts Foundation in Los Angeles to support Latin American-inspired dramatic productions.[5]

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[6] at Burbank.[7][8]

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1973Badge 373Chico
1979Hot StuffRamon
1980The HunterPoker Player #3
1980Sunday Lovers(segment "Skippy")
1980Stir CrazyChico
1982Love ChildTony
1986Ghost FeverBenny
1989Criminal ActCoroner
1991Fires WithinVictor Hernandez
1991The Butcher's WifeLuis
1995Lone Justice 2Crecencio
1996Lone Justice: Showdown at Plum Creek
1997Jungle 2 JungleAbe
1999Love StinksJudge
2002WishcraftMayor Phelan
2003Hollywood HomicideDet. Willie Palmero
2005The RingerStavi
2008Five Dollars a DayMartinez(final film role)

References
  1. Lentz, Harris M. III (2015). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2014. McFarland. pp. 16–17. ISBN 9780786476664. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  2. "Roles (8)". Playbill Vault. Playbill. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  3. 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.
  4. "Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  5. Seikaly, Andrea (25 January 2014). "'The Electric Company' Actor Luis Avalos Dies at 67". Variety. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  6. "Luis Ávalos, Actor on 'The Electric Company,' Dies at 67". The New York Times. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  7. Los Angeles Times (27 January 2014). "Obituary: Luis Avalos - LA Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  8. Armando Tinoco (22 January 2014). "Luis Ávalos Dies: 'The Electric Company' Cuban Actor Dead At 67". Latin Times. Retrieved 26 March 2016.


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