The popular Cuban actor Jorge Martínez shared details about the illnesses he has suffered throughout his life and the consequences they have brought him.
In the YouTube program "La familia cubana," Jorge confessed that two years ago he suffered from cancer for the second time— the first was 12 years ago when he had lung cancer and overcame it— and the doctors gave him six months to live.
On this occasion, the illness affected his throat; two lymph nodes tested positive just when he was filming the soap opera "El derecho de soñar." With stitches on his neck, he was set to record up to 14 scenes a day, and he only asked the makeup artists to cover the wound well so that it wouldn't be visible.
"I was receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I lost my sense of taste, my salivary glands, I lost everything. I spent almost a year drinking water and liquids, broths. I dropped down to 42 kilos (...)," she detailed.
The actor discussed the challenges he faced while recovering, as he lived alone and had to manage everything by himself, despite how weak he was. Thanks to a friend who invited him to her home in Italy, where he spent a year, he is now doing very well.
In the interview, the prominent actor recalled the controversy that arose in 2006 when he hosted "El Expreso," a musical magazine that aired on Sunday nights on Cubavisión.
Given the popularity of the program, the management thought it would be a good idea for him to marry his girlfriend, a dancer from the company, in the studio and broadcast the ceremony. However, the idea didn't sit well with the higher-ups in the cultural sector, despite the fact that the show was not aired live, but rather four days later.
After an official statement from the ICRT labeling the wedding as "unacceptable" and announcing sanctions for those responsible, the organization then tried to continue with the program as if nothing had happened, but neither Jorge nor the director agreed. As a result, "El Expreso" was canceled.
From that event, the worst memory he has is the cowardly attitude of the heads of the musical programming department at the television station, who lacked the courage to stand up and support the show at the time.
"Nowadays, none of those leaders exist, and I continue to exist as an artist, simply because that’s how it is. I still have the affection of the people and the support of the audience, because the artist endures, the artist is for the people, while the leader comes and goes, rises and falls; well, in some places..." he stated.
In 2018, Martínez appeared on the television program "Con dos que se quieran," hosted by Amaury Pérez, and shared that after overcoming lung cancer, he joined the filming of the movie "Últimos días en La Habana," directed by Fernando Pérez. For this role, he needed to lose 12 kilos in two months, which was dangerous given his condition.
"I used to smoke two packs a day. I would wake up with the urge to smoke. I couldn't go one or two hours without smoking, which caused me respiratory problems. When I was filming, I had to stop and cough. An actor told me to go to the Oncology Center. There, they diagnosed me with cancer in my left lung, already very advanced. A very large cyst, almost six centimeters, and I was nearly terminal," he then detailed.
When talking about the movie, Martínez confessed that he would have liked to make more films.
"The reality of my country is harsh. It needs to be done, and we must open the eyes of many people who have them closed or who look the other way. I believe that Cuban cinema has served that purpose all along, not just now. It has been a whip with bells. And sometimes without bells," he emphasized.
Frequently asked questions about the life of Cuban actor Jorge Martínez and his personal struggles
How has cancer affected Jorge Martínez's health?
Jorge Martínez has faced cancer twice in his life. The first time was 12 years ago with lung cancer, which led him to lose one lung. More recently, two years ago, he was diagnosed again, and the doctors gave him six months to live. Despite the prognosis, Jorge has managed to survive, although he has had to cope with the loss of his palate and salivary glands due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.
How has smoking influenced Jorge Martínez's health issues?
Smoking had a significant impact on Jorge Martínez's health, as he smoked two packs a day, which contributed significantly to his respiratory issues. During the filming of the movie "Últimos días en La Habana," he had to stop to cough due to these problems, which led to a diagnosis of advanced cancer in his left lung.
Why was the program "El Expreso," hosted by Jorge Martínez, canceled?
The program "El Expreso" was canceled because Jorge Martínez decided to get married in the studio, broadcasting the wedding live, a decision that was not well received by the upper echelons of the Cuban regime. This act was viewed negatively by the government, which resulted in the cancellation of the program.
What is Jorge Martínez's opinion on Cuban cinema and its social function?
Jorge Martínez believes that Cuban cinema has always been a critical tool and a "whip with bells" that has served to open the eyes of those who do not want to see the reality of the country. He considers that cinema has played an important role in challenging and questioning the social and political situation in Cuba.
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