Freddy Fender's Songs of Love and Loss

(1937–2006) was one of the kings of Tejano music and a rare Mexican-American crossover success on the country music charts. His songs of love and loss struck a chord with listeners, even when they couldn’t understand all of the bilingual lyrics.

Remembering Raul Julia

Raul Julia's celebrated acting career made him one of Puerto Rico's most famous native sons. Born March 9, 1940, Julia was a success on stage with multiple Tony Award nominations to his credit, as well as on TV and movie screens, making his mark with well-loved and award-winning roles. We're celebrating his life today with a look at some of the highlights of his career.

Tito Puente's Timbales

On the 90th anniversary of his birth, we remember Latin jazz legend Tito Puente, “El Rey de los Timbales."

The Best of Ritchie Valens

Rock and roll star Ritchie Valens , alongside and the , on a cold early morning that came to be known as "The Day the Music Died."

Remembering Elizabeth Peña

Elizabeth Peña  was a versatile actress who shifted effortlessly between dramatic roles in such films as "Lone Star" and comedic parts on TV shows like "Modern Family."

Remembering Minnie Minoso

We remember the legendary Minnie Minoso, the first black baseball player in Chicago.

Can Dia de los Muertos Help us Grieve?

Arturo Albin, Director of Método Grief Recovery México, shares insights on this special holiday.

Gato Barbieri (1932 - 2016)

Grammy-winning Latin jazz saxophonist has died at age 83.

Tonita Castro (1953–2016), sitcom co-star on Dads

Tonita Castro, a Mexican-born actress known best for her co-star roles on the TV sitcoms “Dads” and “Go On,” died May 8 of stomach cancer, according to multiple news sources. She was 63.

Emilio Navaira (1962 - 2016), King of Tejano Music

Emilio Navaira, the American-born, Grammy-winning singer known as the King of Tejano Music, died Monday of a heart attack, according to multiple news sources. He was 53. Navaira, who charted nearly a dozen singles on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, over the course of his career, was found unconscious at his house, police in New Braunfels, Texas, said. His greatest country hit was 1995’s “It’s Not the End of the World," which rose as high as No. 27. His song “Por Siempre Unidos” made the top 10 the following year, peaking at No. 7 on Latin Pop Airplay.

Helen Chávez (1928–2016), United Farm Workers of America activist

Helen Chávez, the widow of longtime United Farm Workers of America leader Cesar Chávez, died June 6 of natural causes in Bakersfield, California, according to multiple news reports. She was 88.

The House That Lucy Built: The Legacy of Desilu Productions (video)

Desilu Productions, founded by Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz, was one of the most influential production companies in TV history. They changed the existing paradigm in television, producing “I Love Lucy” in Los Angeles instead of New York City, and shooting on film instead of broadcasting live, allowing them to package the show for reruns, and making themselves very wealthy. They reinvested that money into developing more shows. They branched out into genres beyond comedy, working with writers and producers to bring shows like “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible” to the small screen. These shows have become multimedia franchises, and the original Desilu Productions lives on under the name of CBS Television Productions.

Miriam Colon (1936–2017), Scarface actress

Miriam Colon, the Puerto Rican star of stage and screen who was featured in “Scarface,” died of a lung infection Friday, March 3, 2017, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to The Associated Press. She was 80.

Rosie Hamlin (1945–2017), Angel Baby singer

Songwriter Rosie Hamlin composed and sang the classic song "Angel Baby."

Elena Verdugo (1925–2017), Marcus Welby, M.D. actress

Correction: Elena Verdugo's date of death was later revealed to have been May 30, 2017.

Rafael 'Felo' Ramirez (1923 - 2017), Miami Marlins broadcaster

Rafael “Felo” Ramirez, Hall of Fame Spanish-language radio voice of the Miami Marlins, has died at the age of 94, according to multiple news sources.

Puerto Rican Pride: Celebrating Heritage in the Obits

An obituary is a timeline, a record of where a person has been, what they've done, and who they are related to. It can be a simple list or a highlight reel of sorts, featuring the greatest jokes, sayings, and memories from a loved one's life. The most memorable obituaries paint brilliantly-colored portraits of life – and not just that one person's life, either. Because obituaries, at their heart, are about communities. An obituary tells someone's life story in a particular way: through their connections to family, friends, church, school, military unit, and hometown.

Before She Was Grandma, She Was a Hero

How one California woman’s selfless act left ripples that lasted for decades.

Joaquin Avila (1948–2018), prominent Hispanic civil rights lawyer

SEATTLE (AP) — Civil rights lawyer Joaquin Avila, who fought discrimination in classrooms, workplaces and voting booths as a leader of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, has died. He was 69.

Jimmy Gonzalez (2018), frontman for Grupo Mazz

Tejano superstar won six Latin Grammy awards.

Celebrating Day of the Dead (video)

2017 may be remembered as the year that the Day of the Dead finally reached broad popular awareness as a holiday celebrated widely across the United States.

Pedro Morales (1942–2019), Hall of Fame pro wrestler

Pedro Morales was a beloved pro wrestler, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. He was the first wrestler in WWE history to win the Triple Crown: the WWE Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and World Tag Team Championship. A native of Puerto Rico, Morales moved to New York in his teens, where he discovered wrestling. He debuted as a professional at 17 in 1959, and he went on to win the WWE Championship in 1971, holding the title until 1973. A legendary 1972 match against Bruno Sammartino ended in a draw – and an embrace between the two champs – after 75 minutes of wrestling. After his 1987 retirement, Morales remained active in wrestling as a road agent and a Spanish-language commentator.

Ernestine Romero (1987–2019), award-winning Tejano singer

Ernestine Romero was an award-winning Tejano singer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2016, the New Mexico Hispano Music Association awarded her their CD of the Year, Cumbia Song of the Year, and Salsa Tropical Song of the Year awards, and she was also nominated for a Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year that same year. Romero’s most recent album, 2019’s “Mi Tesoro,” marked her 20th year in the music industry. Her 2015 album “Gracias Señor” included a duet with Grammy-winning singer Ruben Ramos.

Carl Ruiz (1975–2019), celebrity chef known for Food Network appearances

Carl Ruiz was a celebrity chef and restaurateur who became well known for appearances on Food Network shows including “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.”

José José (1948–2019), Mexico’s “Prince of Song”

José José was a Mexican singer known as “The Prince of Song” and beloved for romantic ballads including “El Triste” and “Amar y Querer.”

Ray Santos (1928–2019), Latin music legend

Ray Santos wasa legendary Latin musician who arranged the theme song for moviec3a2c280c29cThe Mambo Kings.c3a2c280c29d Known as c3a2c280c29cEl Maestro,c3a2c280c29d the saxophonist started playing in Latin big bands at Catskill Mountain resorts in the 1950s. He worked with many known musicians including Tito Puente. Santos won a Grammy award for working with Linda Ronstadt on her 1992 album c3a2c280c29cFrenesic3a2c280c29d and received the Latin Grammy Trustees Award in 2011. He also taught and directed the Latin band at the City College of New York for over 20 years.

Shelley Morrison (1936–2019), “Will & Grace” actress

Shelley Morrison, who played maid Rosario on the sitcom “Will & Grace,” died of heart failure in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 1, 2019. She was 83.

Chuy Bravo (1956–2019), “Chelsea Lately” sidekick

Chuy Bravo was an actor best known as Chelsea Handler’s sidekick on the talk show “Chelsea Lately” from 2007 to 2014.

Angelo Lozada (1966–2019), comedian warmed up “Daily Show” audiences

Angelo Lozada was a New York comedian who was the warmup act for “The Daily Show” for three years. He co-created and starred in the web series “Get Some!,” for which he was nominated for best actor in a web series at the Official Latino Short Film Festival. Lozada was the founder of the comedy troupe Noyurican Rule, and he was featured on “Showtime at the Apollo,” BET’s “ComicView,” and Martin Lawrence’s “1st Amendment.”

Jorge Santana (1951–2020), guitarist for Malo and Carlos Santana’s brother

Jorge Santana was the guitarist for Malo, who had a 1972 hit with “Suavecito.” He was also the younger brother of Carlos Santana.

Manuel Donley (1927–2020), “The Godfather of Tejano music”

Manuel “Cowboy” Donley was a Tejano music legend called “The Godfather of Tejano Music.” 

Rudolfo Anaya (1937–2020), “godfather” of Chicano literature

Rudolfo Anaya was called the “godfather” of Chicano literature. He was best known for hisnovel, “Bless Me, Ultima.”

Arcelio Garcia (1946–2020), lead singer for Latin rock band Malo

Arcelio Garcia was the lead singer for the Latin rock band Malo, known for their 1972 hit single “Suavecito.”

Guadalupe “Shorty” Ortiz (1941–2020), Tejano music legend

Guadalupe “Shorty” Ortiz was a Tejano musician known for leading Shorty and the Corvetts as well as Mariachi Corbetas.

Cándido Camero (1921–2020), pioneering Latin jazz percussionist

C ándido Camero was a percussionist who is considered one of the fathers of Latin jazz, best known for his conga and bongo drumming.

Johnny Pacheco (1935–2021), musician who helped popularize salsa music

Johnny Pacheco was a musician who co-founded Fania Records, where he helped create salsa music and bring it into the mainstream.

Luis Palau (1934–2021), evangelist called “the Billy Graham of Latin America”

Luis Palau was a popular Christian evangelist who worked with and became one of his successors as he preached to the Spanish-speaking audience.

Henry Darrow (1933–2021), “The High Chaparral” star

Henry Darrow was an actor known for roles in TV shows including “The High Chaparral,” “Santa Barbara,” and “Zorro.”

Delia Fiallo (1924–2021), screenwriter known as the “Mother of Telenovelas”

Delia Fiallo was a Cuban-American romance novelist and screenwriter who wrote dozens of popular telenovelas for Latin American television.

Roberto Roena (1940–2021), legendary salsa percussionist

Roberto Roena was a Puerto Rican salsa percussionist known for his work with legendary bands including El Gran Combo and Fania All Stars.

Famous Hispanic Americans

During Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year, we remember and celebrate the contributions of Latinx Americans in a broad range of fields, from the arts to science, education and politics. These Latino and Latina Americans were pioneers and trendsetters, and they remain inspirations to anyone who aspires to achieve greatness.

Rolando Hinojosa-Smith (1929–2022), author of “Klail City Death Trip” series

Rolando Hinojosa-Smith was an award-winning Chicano novelist whose works included the 15-book “Klail City Death Trip” series.