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.

Pasteles

Every Thanksgiving, Maddie's family looked forward to her mom’s pasteles.

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.

They Flew Through the Air With the Greatest of Ease

Of all the daredevils throughout history, few have been as legendary as the world-renowned circus family, the Flying Wallendas.

Hurricane Maria Victims (2017)

More than 50 people have died as a result of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico and the islands of the Caribbean. Many continue to face a dire situation.

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.

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.

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.

Walter Mercado (1932–2019), popular Puerto Rican astrologer

Walter Mercado was a Puerto Rican astrologer who was widely known and beloved for his TV shows.

Vera Clemente (2019), widow of baseball legend Roberto Clemente

Vera Clemente was the widow of baseball legend Roberto Clemente who was a 15-time All-Star outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberto Clemente was killed Dec. 31, 1972, in a plane crash while en route to Nicaragua to deliver supplies to earthquake victims. After his death, Vera continued his humanitarian work as the chairwoman of the Roberto Clemente Foundation. Roberto and Vera married in 1964 and had three sons, Roberto, Luis, and Enrique.

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.”

Carlos De Leon (1959–2020), Puerto Rican boxing legend

Carlos De Leon was a Puerto Rican boxing legend who was a four-time cruiserweight world champion. He was the first cruiserweight to win the title twice and then he took it back two more times. He first won the title when he beat Marvin Camel in 1980. After becoming cruiserweight champion a third time, he lost the title to boxing legend Evander Holyfield who had moved down to cruiserweight. He won it back for a record fourth time against Sammy Reeson in 1989. Later, he coached boxers in Buffalo, New York.

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.”

Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones (1955–2020), dancer who starred in “Breakin’”

Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Qui ñones was a dancer, actor, and choreographer best known for starring as Ozone in “Breakin’” and “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.”

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.”

Celina Baez Sotomayor (1927–2021), mother of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Celina Baez Sotomayor was a registered nurse who was the mother of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

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.

Pedro Feliciano (1976–2021), New York Mets pitcher

Pedro Feliciano was a pitcher for the New York Mets in the 2000s and 2010s.

Tito Matos (1968–2022), master of the Puerto Rican music known as plena

Tito Matos was an acclaimed percussionist known for his skill playing the traditional Puerto Rican music called plena.

Carlos Ortiz (1936–2022), Hall of Fame boxing champion

Carlos Ortiz was a boxer who won world titles in the 1950s and ‘60s as a lightweight and a light welterweight.

Hurricane G (1970–2022), pioneering New York rapper 

Hurricane G (Gloria Rodriguez) was a pioneering New York rapper who was the first female member of the hip hop collective known as the Hit Squad.

Marisol Malaret (1949–2023), first Puerto Rican Miss Universe

Marisol Malaret was the first Miss Universe from Puerto Rico and the first from the Caribbean islands, who held the crown in 1970.

Gustavo Badell (1972–2023), “The Freakin’ Rican” bodybuilder 

Gustavo Badell was a bodybuilder known as “The Freakin’ Rican.”

Bill Pinkney (1935–2023), pioneering sailor 

Bill Pinkney was the first Black sailor to make a solo circumnavigation of the globe via the notoriously difficult southern route, around the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn.

Willie Hernández (1954–2023), Detroit Tigers MVP relief pitcher

Guillermo “Willie” Hernández was a relief pitcher who helped the Detroit Tigers to victory in the 1984 World Series.

Héctor Ortiz (1969–2024), coach with the Texas Rangers 

Héctor Ortiz was a former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher and a coach with the Texas Rangers.

Orlando Cepeda (1937–2024), famed slugger for the Giants

Orlando Cepeda was a Hall of Fame baseball player who was an 11-time All-Star, MVP winner, and a longtime teammate of on the San Francisco Giants.

Chi Chi Rodriguez (1935–2024), PGA superstar

Chi Chi Rodriguez was a World Golf Hall of Famer who won eight PGA Tour events and became known for his antics on the course.