MEXICO: Ernesto Alonso, recognized as the father of Mexican soap operas, dies at 90-years-old

The Mexican actor and producer Ernesto Alonso, who made numerous soap operas, known as telenovelas, about Mexico's history and controversial themes such as satanism that defined the genre, died on Tuesday (August 7) at the age of 90. Hundreds of grieving family members and friends attended a vigil held for him on Tuesday (August 7) in Mexico City at a funeral parlour to pay last respects to the honoured actor and producer. A mass in his honour also took place. Alonso, who began his career as an extra in 1930s cinema, had been suffering from respiratory problems for months. During his career in film, he befriended various actresses from the Mexican Golden Age cinema, such as Maria Felix, Dolores del Rio and Miroslava. Many famous Mexican actors attended the vigil. "I was there on Sunday, but we did not want to wake him. He was resting like a little bird and was very calm and I said 'leave him,'" said actress Silvia Pinal. Alonso never married. "I don't have other than good memories of Ernesto. Ernesto was charming, adorable. He was always joking around. He had a good sense of humour and was always in a good mood, so working and being with him was wonderful. I saw him the day before yesterday for the last time and he looked tired and I expected this outcome already," said actor Anjelica Maria. He started working as a television producer when businessman Emilio Azcarraga Vidaurreta, founder of the largest television chain in Mexico Grupo Televisa, employed him and he later earned the title "Mr. Soap Opera." Alonso became responsible for making dozens of successful soap operas that were also aired outside Mexico such as "El Derecho de Nacer / The Right to be Born", "Corazon Salvaje / Wild Heart", and "Amarte es mi Pecado / Loving You is my Sin," one of his last soap operas. He was well loved by the Mexican public. "He is a great loss, we are very sorry because people like him are few, there are not many around," said admirer Lydia Ojeda. He is also remembered for "La Antorcha Encendida / The Lit Torch," which narrates the events that led to the Independence of Mexico and "Senda de Gloria / Path to Glory," where various themes of the Revolution are portrayed which, giving a human touch to his leading actors. Among his most memorable is the soap opera "El Maleficio / The Curse," where Alonso took the starring role of the evil Enrique de Martino, a gangster who achieved his goals by being crooked in his ways.

ITN Source | August 9, 2007

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