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Mexican children's comic better known by his stage name Chabelo dies at 88

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

For decades, it was a Sunday morning routine in Mexico. Kids would get up to watch a mischief maker with a squeaky voice on TV.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "EN FAMILIA CON CHABELO")

UNIDENTIFIED MUSICAL ARTISTS: (Singing) En familia con Chabelo.

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

Xavier Lopez, known as the friend of all children, was the producer and host of Mexico's longest-running TV show. "En Familia Con Chabelo" was on the air for nearly five decades, from 1967 through 2015.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "EN FAMILIA CON CHABELO")

XAVIER LOPEZ: (As Chabelo, singing in Spanish).

MARTIN: Lopez, who played Chabelo, died over the weekend at the age of 88. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador sent his condolences to the family in a tweet. He also recalled how his eldest son used to get up early to watch Chabelo more than 40 years ago.

MARTÍNEZ: He was born Xavier Lopez Rodriguez in 1935 in Chicago. After his family returned to Mexico, he studied medicine but wound up turning to acting.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

LOPEZ: (Through interpreter) Everyone needs to find their own path. And it's a matter of getting the ingredients. The main ingredient has four letters, and it's called love - love for doing what you want to do.

MARTIN: In 2012, Lopez set the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a children's television host.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

LOPEZ: (Through interpreter) In children, I've discovered, first of all, that they are the most beautiful part of a human being. And second, they've helped me learn a lot of things for my personal life, which leaves me with no doubt that childhood is the best phase of life.

MARTIN: His son, Xavier Lopez Miranda, described his dad as a great creative.

XAVIER LOPEZ MIRANDA: (Speaking Spanish).

MARTÍNEZ: In his son's words, "Xavier Lopez is no longer with us, but Chabelo is eternal."

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "EN FAMILIA CON CHABELO")

UNIDENTIFIED MUSICAL ARTISTS: (Singing in Spanish). Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.