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Antonio Gasalla, one of the great masters of Argentine humor and remembered in Cuba for bringing to life the unforgettable "Mamá Cora" in the cult classic "Esperando la carroza" (1985), passed away this Tuesday in Buenos Aires at the age of 84.
With his passing, not only does Argentina lose an icon of entertainment, but also a figure who managed to leave a lasting impression on the collective memory of many Latin Americans, including the Cuban audience, who embraced him as one of their own due to his unparalleled talent.
Actor, screenwriter, director, and producer, Gasalla built a brilliant career that left a deep mark on theater, television, and film.
Their path to the top of the show business
Born in 1941 in Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires Province, Antonio Gasalla challenged the destiny his family had outlined for him: dentistry.
However, his true passion led him to acting, training at the National School of Dramatic Art.
There, he met Carlos Perciavalle, with whom he would form an unforgettable duo in the Buenos Aires café-concert circuit, a key space for social critique and satire during the 1960s and 1970s.
"We started to do the scenes we performed seriously during the theater classes with a sense of humor [...]: the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet or Chekhov's The Seagull," Gasalla recalled about those early days that defined his style.
His special connection with Cuba
His relationship with Cuba was not limited to the impact of his work. During his visits to the island, Gasalla presented his shows and won the affection of the Cuban audience, who welcomed him with enthusiasm at every performance.
Additionally, in an anecdote that he himself recounted in several interviews, he mentioned a curious experience related to Cuban santería: after being warned about a possible "sorcery" against him, he participated in a spiritual cleansing ritual guided by a local santera.
This episode reflected his interest and respect for the island's popular culture and his ability to connect, even off stage, with the traditions and beliefs of the Cuban people.
The coffee concert and the satire of review theater
Gasalla, along with Perciavalle and other figures like Enrique Pinti, was a key player in a time when Buenos Aires comedy was fueled by political irony and local humor, bringing to the stage shows that blended laughter with a critical view of Argentine society.
That same talent later took him to revue theater and to film.
However, it was his "Mamá Cora" - the beloved grandmother from "Esperando la carroza" (1985) - directed by Alejandro Doria, that turned him into a massive phenomenon and secured his place in the popular imagination of several generations.
A comedian who made his mark in history
Throughout his career, Antonio Gasalla created unforgettable characters that depicted Argentine and Latin American society with irony and sharpness.
The Public Employee, Soledad Solari, and The Grandmother were some of her most beloved characters on television.
Likewise, his impromptu interviews and incisive questions made him a benchmark of intelligent humor, capable of being both unsettling and funny at the same time.
Starting in the 1980s, Gasalla made the definitive leap to television, where his talent flourished in dozens of characters that left a lasting impact on several generations.
Gasalla's world, The Palace of Laughter, and Gasalla on TV were some of the series that brought his sharp humor to millions of households.
Gasalla portrayed with grotesque humor and sharp insight the "Argentinian identity," a blend of virtues and contradictions that, through his lens, also resonated with the Cuban and Latin American audience.
Beyond his role as an actor, Antonio Gasalla was a complete perfectionist.
“Antonio coordinated the lights, selected the music, and attended to every aspect of his shows,” recalled Sebastián Borrás, his assistant for more than two decades.
His control over every technical and artistic detail was absolute, and his ability to resolve unforeseen issues on stage was legendary: “If something unexpected happened on stage, he would pull a rabbit out of his hat and resolve it without the audience noticing anything,” Borrás added.
The farewell of a legend
Gasalla had been diagnosed in 2020 with senile dementia, which kept him away from theater and television in his later years.
His health deteriorated further in the last few weeks after pneumonia forced him to remain hospitalized for several days.
His death was confirmed by his friend and producer Carlos Rottemberg, and later by the Argentine Actors Association, which described him as "an undisputed figure of humor and creator of characters that are part of Argentine popular culture."
At the Teatro Maipo, one of the venues he loved so much, personalities from the entertainment world have been arriving for hours to bid him a final farewell.
"Antonio ended up like Mamá Cora in the movie, not the one he played in Susana Giménez's show. The Mamá Cora in the film had senile dementia," Borrás reflected, drawing a parallel that was as painful as it was touching.
Frequently Asked Questions about Antonio Gasalla and His Impact on Latin American Humor
Who was Antonio Gasalla and what is his legacy in comedy?
Antonio Gasalla was a prominent Argentine humorist known for his ability to sharply and ironically portray Argentine and Latin American society. His character "Mamá Cora" in "Esperando la carroza" is an icon of Spanish-speaking cinema, and his work in theater and television left an indelible legacy in the world of humor.
Why is Antonio Gasalla so beloved by the Cuban audience?
Antonio Gasalla was able to connect deeply with the Cuban audience thanks to his genuine talent and his visits to the island, where he presented his shows. His closeness to Cuban traditions, such as respect for Santería, also contributed to his acceptance and affection from the Cuban people.
What was the impact of "Mamá Cora" on Antonio Gasalla's career?
"Mamá Cora" catapulted Antonio Gasalla to international fame and turned him into a massive phenomenon. This character from the film "Esperando la carroza" has remained in the popular imagination for generations, highlighting his ability to blend humor with social critique.
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