1 | 09/04/2021 – 09:09 (GMT-4)
The remarkable Cuban actor Frank González, his unforgettable voice Elpidio Valdes, died at dawn on Friday, at the age of 74, the victim of a stroke, as reported by the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT).
Much loved by the Cuban public and nicknamed “the man of a thousand voices” for several decades Frank González has developed a wide career in Cuban television, radio and cinema, where he has always stood out for his invaluable versatility and talent. to embody the most different roles.
González is remembered especially for putting voice to dozens of characters in various animation productions made by the Cuban Institute of Art and Film Industry (ICAIC), including Filminutos, Vampiros en La Habana, Matojo; and of course Elpidio Valdés, who came to imitate his figure with a character that several generations of Cubans adore, which did not bother him at all and which he considered “an honour”.
“I’m very proud that when someone sees me on the street, they say, ‘Look, there’s Elpidio Valdés!’, once said the portal actor Cubacine.
Frank González was also the voice who named Mazinger Z and Voltus 5, drawings of Asian origin, which are also very much remembered on the island.
“He not only has the ability to change his voice, but to give life to a character from a cartoon (…). It is to start testing on a microphone until you find the voice, the timbre that works, the sound characteristics that the character must wear based on their physical and psychological qualities; I would say he is almost born, “he said in an interview.
Born in Havana on October 7, 1946, Frank González began as an amateur in theater groups while serving in the military. In 1967 he started working at ICRT as a costume designer and decorator, specialties for which he prepared for a year.
In parallel, she studied acting with radio and television professionals such as Roberto Garriga, Marta Jiménez Oropesa, Odilia Romero and Oscar Luis López, among others. In 1969 he began his acting career in radio, television and drama programs.
In 1978 he began dubbing the voice of Elpidio Valdés’ character in what became the beginning of a fruitful series of collaborations led by the late Juan Padrón.
Some of his film appearances were in El otro Francisco (1975); Jíbaro (1982); In tres y dos (1985); Baraguá (1985), Plaza Vieja (1987), Plaff (1988), El Siglo de Las Luces (1992), among others.
They are especially mentioned on TV his characters from the adventures of the Little Fugitive (in its 2001 version) and from the soap opera If You Could Love Me (1997). In the latter played an unforgettable metrobus inspector.
Frank González had been retired from the rooms for several years. One of his last public appearances was on October 24 at the José Martí Memorial in Havana, where he received the 2019 National Television Award along with other artists.
In the last few hours, condolences have been added to the social networks for the death of the prominent actor.
“I just found out about the death of Frank González. Very sad. He was a great and total actor. Guilty of many of my enthusiasm watching TV, a lot of laughter and amazement. Condolences to family and friends.”comedian Ulises Toirac wrote on Facebook.
A note of condolence issued by the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba specifies that his body will be cremated at the request of his relatives.