The Cuban people bid farewell this Tuesday to the mortal remains of the Cuban actor Mario Limonta, who passed away last Saturday in Havana, a day before turning 89 years old.
The ashes of the renowned artist were moved in a popular procession from his home in the Maca building, located at 512 12th Street, between 21st and 23rd, in El Vedado, to the iconic Colón Cemetery.
In addition to friends, neighbors, admirers, and the general public, personalities from Cuban art and culture were present to pay tribute to Mario Limonta.
Among them, the actors Jorge Perugorría, Néstor Jiménez, Bárbaro Marín Hernández, and Renecito de la Cruz, as well as the producer Libia Batista, executives from the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT), Radio Cubana, and the station Radio Progreso.
The farewell was marked by the solemnity and affection of the people.
with floral offerings sent even by Miguel Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro, as well as workers from Radio and Television, and other cultural institutions in Cuba
The event symbolized the deep gratitude of the Cuban people towards a man who dedicated his life to enriching the national culture, leaving an unforgettable legacy in the country's television, theater, and radio.
The death of Mario Limonta
It was last Saturday that official media reported that Mario Limonta Louit, one of the great figures of theater, film, radio, and television in Cuba, had passed away in Havana.
The actor had been hospitalized urgently on Thursday and was in intensive care.
Throughout his career, Limonta left an indelible mark with the numerous roles he portrayed, especially on Cuban television, where he became a beloved figure for several generations.
Born in Guantánamo in 1936, he began his artistic career in his hometown as a reciter on the local radio station.
His passion for art led him to Havana in 1955, where he began studying law, but soon abandoned that career to fully dedicate himself to radio.
In 1959, he joined the Cuban National Circuit, which would later become Radio Rebelde, where he participated in dramatic segments that brought him to the public's attention.
Limonta became one of the most prominent figures in the performing arts in Cuba.
Alongside his late wife, Aurora Basnuevo, known as "La Mulatísima," Limonta left an indelible mark on the popular radio program "Alegrías de Sobremesa," where they portrayed the iconic characters Sandalio “El Bolao” and Estelvina.
Another of Limonta's memorable roles was that of "Sargento Arencibia" in the program "San Nicolás del Peladero," where he shared the stage with great figures such as María de los Ángeles Santana and Enrique Santiesteban.
In 1964, he made his first leading role in film with the movie The Decision, directed by José Massip.
Since 1967, he participated in other productions such as Assault on the Central Train, In a Certain Way, The Brigadist, Honey for Oshún, and Cuban Neighborhood, directed by Humberto Solás.
Limonta boasts the Distinction for National Culture, awarded by the State Council of the Republic of Cuba.
He won the Paoa Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2001 and the National Television Award in 2009, as well as the Distinción Gitana Tropical in 2012, awarded by the Provincial Directorate of Culture of Havana.
He received the ACTUAR Award for Lifetime Achievement (2014), the National Humor Award (2016), and recently the 65th Anniversary Seal from ICAIC (2024) for his lifelong work.
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