Biography
Chabelo was a Mexican professional actor, comedian, producer, and famous TV host. His real name was Xavier Lopez Rodriguez. He was born to Mexican parents on February 17, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Chabelo lived in Chicago for eight years, then moved to Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Chabelo completed his high school and higher studies in Mexico & pursued his career in medicine, and practiced as a Doctor for four years. He used to call himself 100% Mexican.
Chabelo was well known for earning two Guinness World Records, one for his longest Children’s TV show and the other for portraying the character of Chabelo for almost six decades; he received recognition and gained more popularity by receiving this award.
Chabelo was Mexican by nationality, he was 6 ft and 2 inches tall, and his weight was around 80 kg. There is no information available about which religion Chabelo followed. He died at the age of 88 on March 25, 2023, due to some abdominal complications.
Chabelo’s Net Worth
Chabelo’s estimated net worth is around $4 to $5 Million. He earned most of his wealth from TV shows, movies, production, and advertisements. Being a TV Host, this was his primary source of income.
His professional endeavors resulted from his success as an actor, comedian, TV host, and singer of children’s music. The big mansion that Chabelo owns is one of the most beautiful and impressive residences built in the country.
Career
Chabelo served in US military base in San Diego for some months when he was 18 years old; after returning from his service, he started participating in medicine and hoped to become a Doctor. During his medical practice, he started working as a general assistant at the headquarters of Mexican Broadcast Television.
Chabelo used to work as a fill-in for the actors who got late or refused to come. Once on occasion, Ramiro Gamboa, a well-known producer, asked him to read a joke from the book because Gamboa knew how to impost different voices; the trick was about a boy named Chabelo.
Chabelo read the joke well in a child-like voice, and that was the point when the legend Chabelo came to life during the live broadcast of the children’s program Carrusel Musical; this show was the start of his showbiz career; he continued working for the children’s program.
Chabelo’s career officially began when he met Penson and Gamboa. They taught him the basics of the TV business. In the 1950s, he was hired as the character of ‘Chabelo’ to be a spokesman for the soft drink brand Pepsi Cola. He appeared in their advertisements for which he traveled throughout North and South America.
Chabelo found himself unemployed after the expiration of the contract with Pepsi Cola, but soon he was hired for a show in New York City. After ending his six months tour, he launched his radio show ‘La media hora de Chabelo’ (The Chabelo Half Hour).
In December 1968, Chabelo’s TV broadcast ‘En Familia Con Chabelo’s was aired for the first time. The following show was his idea; his motive for doing this show was to create something where the parents and children could participate and have fun together. ‘En Familia Con Chabelo’ was a show with games, quizzes, contests, and prizes.
Chabelo hosted the show; he played a child comic role throughout the show; his lively personality and engaging style made him a beloved figure in Mexican popular culture. The show aired for more than 48 years & final episode of his performance was released in 2015.
Xavier at ‘En Familia Con Chabelo Show’
Chabelo has produced programs like La Escuelita VIP and Los Simuladores. He has appeared in more than 30 famous movies and TV shows. His films include Christmas Carol, Volando Bajo, Letters to Elena, Chabelo Pepito Detective, and many more.
He is the winner of two Gunniess records. He has worked on television for almost sixty years and recorded more than sixty musical albums.
Chabelo’s most famous TV show was ‘En Familia Con Chabelo.’ The show ended in 2015 after 47 years of successful broadcast history. Chabelo has also appeared as ‘Panchito’ in the film El Extra. His fans heard his original voice for the first time in 2018 in the movie in which he played the character of the military officer.
Personal & Married Life
Xavier was born in Chicago and lived there for eight years. He and his parents and sisters moved back to Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. The family lived near an industrial area, his father, Jose Luis Lopez Barba, used to work in a nearby factory, and his mother was Eulalia Rodriguez. Chabelo is the only brother of two sisters.
Chabelo got married twice. He married Angelita Castany, a dancer and actress of the golden age of Mexican cinema, but their marriage didn’t work, and soon after their marriage, they divorced each other.
After their separation from Angelita Castany, Chabelo promised himself he would never marry again, but unfortunately, his fate awaited him. Angelina introduced her friend Theresa Miranda to Chabelo when she was his wife, and they became good friends.
Chabelo soon invited his friends, including Theresa, to his place to have quesadillas. They spent quality time together, talked until morning, and eventually, their friendship became love.
Chabelo and Theresa got married in 1969 and had three kids together. He has three sons named Oscar, Javier, and Juan Gabriel. They were married until the last breath of Chabelo and had a beautiful life together. They were married for 56 years. Chabelo suffered from a severe abdominal disease and died in March 2023; he was 88 years old at the time of his death.
