On this day in comedy in 1961 Comedian, TV show host, Adalberto Javier Ramones Martínez was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
Ramones has not been the most fortunate of entertainers. For years, he suffered from heart disease requiring numerous operations. He recovered from that harrowing experience and was then kidnapped. Ramones spent a week locked in a closet, blindfolded with his feet tied and only given water. He lost 15.5 pounds. After that he caught on fire while shooting his show and was rushed to the hospital. In 2004 he needed crutches after breaking his ankle in yet another accident.
Now as far as his comedy, Ramones made his reputation with his material on Mexican social life. He’s best known as the host of Otro Rollo. It was aired by Televisa and seen in 53 countries outside of Mexico. Univision broadcast it in the United States. The show featured a portion called La pesera del amor, where Ramones matches up a couple and they marry on live TV, with the show picking up all expenses. It was supposed to be a onetime thing, but was so popular it was added on as a regular part of the show. Who doesn’t want a free honeymoon with a relative stranger who now has your last name?
Ramones received support from American artists on his program. Britany Spears kicked things off in July of 2003 and from there the Yanks kept going south. Other celebrities Ramones hosted include, Sylvester Stallone, Chris Rock, Cameron Diaz, Kevin James, Lucy Liu, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christina Aguilera, John Leguizamo, Chayanne and others. Will Smith made three appearances. Paris Hilton stood him up.
Ramones has done dozens of voices for animation and in 2005 he was nominated for the Mexican MTV Movie Award for Favorite Actor.
By Darryl “D’Militant” Littleton
Check out this clip:
