Xavier Lopez Rodriguez, more commonly known in Hispanic households as ‘Chabelo’ was a Mexican actor, presenter, comedian and children’s music singer.
On February 17, 1935, Rodriguez would take his first breath into the world, within the city of Chicago, Illinois. Around the era of the Cold war, Rodriguez would be drafted to fight in the Korean war as a soldier in the ranks of the United States Army, as well as serve under a military base in the California area. It was right after he served his time in the military, that he would consider moving back to his country of origin, specifically in the city of Leon, Guanajuato of Mexico, along with his family. In the time that he was in Mexico, Rodriguez would commence his journey in the realm of medicinal studies, in hopes of becoming a doctor. It’s noteworthy to mention that in the time that he was studying to become a doctor, Rodriguez was able to locate a job for the Mexican conglomerate television network, Televisa, playing as an assistant for other actors, which is what eventually got him to create his television persona, Chabelo.
During his first couple of years in the television industry, Rodriguez met two famous actors at the time, known as Gamboa and Panseco. These two would teach Rodriguez the basic ropes of the television industry which eventually got him a role as his persona for a Pepsi Cola commercial. However he was left unemployed after the role, due to the mandatory actio of foing back to the United States in order to partake in the commercial. It wasn’t until another network in New York City had hired him for half the price that he usually required networks pay him, for a show that made him tour the United States.
In 1962, Rodriguez would go back to Mexico to act in a film with the famous Hispanic filmmaker, Cantinflas, in the film El Extra. Half a decade later, in 1967, he managed to persuade those at the top of Televsisa, to direct his own show. This resulted in the creation of En Familia Con Chabelo (In Family with Chabelo), where children and their families would spend time together in the mornings, to play various contests as well as games. The show aired for 47 years, premiering its finale in December of 2015, thus creating a childhood for a multitude of children growing up in Mexico. Unfortunately in March of 2023, Rodriguez would fall fatal to a septic shock, thus leading to his death.
“I read it and the voice came out like a child, and that’s where Chabelo was born,” expressed the actor after filling the role for another actor. He had read a joke for a boy named Chabelo and it resulted in his iconic squeaky voice.
