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There has been a breed of comedians in Cuba that is different, and few remain—actors forged on stage who have emerged in a television world where there are no longer programs dedicated to humor and entertainment.
Our interviewee has had as many personalities as characters. He has been a child, Pepitín, intrepid and curious; then an older gentleman, Maraca, inspired by his friend Belisario, to whom he owes a piece of advice… and that is that his native Holguín was “too small” for Leonardo Santiesteban.
Later, Fofi arrived, a makeup artist by profession and flamboyant by conviction. Since satire is his forte, he fantastically imitates complicated characters and inarticulate former presidents, and I really like that he cares little about what people say; I also appreciate that instead of crying, he makes us laugh, but today, he will not give us laughter but confessions!
Leo, how was your childhood? What games did you play?
My childhood in Holguín was about running, knocking on neighbors' doors, playing hide and seek, and dressing up as a woman to grab others' attention. My youth was humble, but 53 years ago, I discovered the art of making people laugh, and because of that, I swap traumas for jokes of every kind.
How did you leave Cuba, and how long have you been in the United States?
I left Cuba for a thousand reasons that you know, that we all know. I was a Cuban living there like any other Cuban. It was after going to Mexico 83 times to buy clothes and other things to survive on the island that I decided to leave, leaving my family and my beloved country behind, which is slowly dying. I love my country and I hope that one day I can return there; to a country where we all feel good and can live as human beings.
I entered this great nation through Texas on November 23, 2022.
What are you doing currently?
I work in what I enjoy and know how to do. I am calm and happy. Among other jobs, I am contracted at Univista TV, in the series “Los hijos de Putin,” playing Raúl Castro. Additionally, I participate in the comedy show “La Habana en Hialeah”, alongside Gelliset Valdés, Irela Bravo, Omar Franco, and Yasbell Rodríguez.
Why do you say the phrase “I’ll let you go, I’m in a hurry” in the series “The Sons of Putin,” regarding the character of Raúl Castro?
In Cuba, Raúl spoke very softly, but upon arriving here, I got the wardrobe and good makeup; once transformed, I can adjust my voice as I wish. I always used to say like Raúl: “I’ll leave you now because I’m in a hurry.” That’s how he would say it. Raúl didn’t like speeches; he was all about a quick response and then he would leave immediately. I’ve incorporated that, and the character has worked well for me. Humor, satire, and especially with such characters are generally well received.
What is the secret, if there is one, to making each character so different? How do you manage to shift from one to another so easily?
The secret to making each character different lies in being an actor. I don't believe that anyone who isn't can achieve it. I try to make each one quite different for a better story. I create them for a promotion or just a humorous sketch. Each of my characters is my family, and I take care of them like a hen with her chicks. They work for me, and I work for them.
Why did you decide to leave the country, and when will you make it a reality?
The time had come for me to leave Cuba when I could no longer live off laughter, when I had to buy picadillo to sell secretly from the police, when I couldn't even give my little girl a candy. One day she said to me, “Daddy, go so you can send me things,” and you know what, Julita? That was a command. At that moment, I realized it was time to leave, and I did so without physically saying goodbye to my family in Holguín.
When leaving Cuba, what did it mean to leave your family behind there?
When leaving Cuba, I left many things behind, I left my history, I left my laughter, but I also left my tears. Yes, because comedians do not cry in front of others, but we do. We are very sensitive, and the vast majority are good people. It's a gift or a mix of emotions… hahaha. That's where it comes from: we are artists!
What do you think of the overall situation that the people of Cuba are living in today?
I believe Cuba needs changes, many changes! But to make a change, it has to be deep-rooted; and that requires many years because we've been stuck in bad habits and lies for a long time. Those bad habits and lies are ingrained in us. The generation from 40 years ago is nothing like the current one, and the politics do not want to change nor do they allow change. It’s a country where people dance with tearful eyes, waiting for the chance to leave, just as we did. It is, practically, the only hope.
Do you think there is a cure for the ailment that affects the people of Cuba?
Cuba has no cure, it has politicians who need nothing. They are doing well, in stark contrast to those who actually work.
What do you say to the Cuban people, who, due to shortages, no longer have a comedy program on National Television? And what do Maraca, Pepitín, Fofi, or, if you prefer, Leonardo Santiesteban wish for them?
On behalf of all the comedians and Cubans who left Cuba, we ask for your forgiveness because I know you miss us. I hear it daily on my social media, and it truly saddens me. I apologize, but I need you to understand at the same time. They will return if God and the politicians allow it, although ideally it would be those who left — the leaders, the ones with big bellies and rosy complexions; those who don’t struggle and whose lights never go out.
The Cuban comedian was overjoyed when last December he welcomed his daughter, now a teenager, in Miami. This event was celebrated by many of his colleagues, including Cuqui la Mora, Andy Vázquez, Yerlín Pérez, and Gelliset Valdés.
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