René Enríquez (November 24, 1933 – March 23, 1990) was a Nicaraguan-born American television actor of the 1970s and 1980s. He is best remembered for his role as Lt. Ray Calletano in the long-running television series '' Hill Street Blues'' (1981–1987). He died on March 23, 1990 from

AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual m ...

, the first of two ''Hill Street Blues'' stars to die that year.

Kiel Martin Kiel Urban Mueller (July 26, 1944 – December 28, 1990), known professionally as Kiel Martin, was an American actor best known for his role as Detective John "J.D." La Rue on the 1980s television drama ''Hill Street Blues.'' Early years Martin ...

succumbed to lung cancer on December 28. Co-star Daniel J. Travanti reminisced that, during his time on ''Hill Street Blues'', Enríquez was "sad, unhappy because they were not thrilled with him, they kept saying that it was difficult to understand him. He was really crushed when they let him go. ... He was sweet, sweet natured and grateful for what he had there but saddened by being let go. Original reports said Enríquez died of pancreatic cancer. However, upon publication of his death certificate, Enríquez's cause of death was revealed to be complications resulting from AIDS. As reported on a 1992 episode of ''

Entertainment Tonight ''Entertainment Tonight'' (or simply ''ET'') is an American Broadcast syndication, first-run syndicated news broadcasting news magazine, newsmagazine program that is distributed by CBS Media Ventures throughout the United States and owned by Para ...

'', this was not a surprise to his ''Hill Street Blues'' costar

Charles Haid Charles Maurice Haid III (born June 2, 1943) is an American actor and television director, with notable work in both movies and television. He is best known for his portrayal of Officer Andy Renko in ''Hill Street Blues''. Haid was born in San ...

, as Enríquez had disclosed to Haid the true nature of his affliction.

Partial filmography

*''

Girl of the Night ''Girl of the Night'' is a film drama starring Anne Francis, made in 1960 by . It was based on a best-seller 1958 book by Harold Greenwald, '' The Call Girl''. Plot A taxi driver picks up a woman running through the streets. Her name is Robin ...

'' (1960) – Ricardo *'' Bananas'' (1971) – Diaz *'' Serpico'' (1973) – Cervantes Teacher (uncredited) *'' Harry and Tonto'' (1974) – Grocery Clerk *'' Night Moves'' (1975) – (voice, uncredited) *''Blood Bath'' (1976) *''

The Great American Traffic Jam ''The Great American Traffic Jam'' (alternate title ''Gridlock'') is a 1980 American made-for-television movie which first aired on NBC on October 2, 1980. The comedy revolves around a large "all-star" cast getting stuck in a massive Los Angeles a ...

'' (1980, television film) - Mayor Julio Escontrerez *''

Under Fire Under Fire may refer to: Books * ''Under Fire'' (Barbusse novel) (French: ''Le Feu''), a novel by Henri Barbusse * ''Under Fire'' (Blackwood novel), by Grant Blackwood in Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Jr. franchise series * ''Under Fire'' (North book ...

'' (1983) – President Anastasio Somoza *''

Choices of the Heart ''Choices of the Heart'' is an American television film, made-for-television drama (film and television), drama film based on the lives of the American Roman Catholic missionaries Jean Donovan, Dorothy Kazel, Maura Clarke, and Ita Ford, all of who ...

'' (1983, television film) - Archbishop

Oscar Romero Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People * Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms. * Oscar (Irish mythology) ...

*'' The Evil That Men Do'' (1984) – Max *''

Dream West ''Dream West'' is a 1986 American television miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain and directed by Dick Lowry. Development The seven-hour miniseries was broken into three parts (2 hours, 2 hours, and 3 hours). Part 1 aired on Sunday, April 13 ...

'' (TV Mini-series 1986) – General Castro *'' Hill Street Blues'' (1981–1987, TV series) – Lt. Ray Calletano / Captain Ray Calletano *''

Bulletproof Bulletproofing is the process of making an object capable of stopping a bullet or similar high velocity projectiles (e.g. shrapnel). The term bullet resistance is often preferred because few, if any, practical materials provide complete protectio ...

'' (1988) – Gen. Maximiliano Brogado

References

External links

* * 1933 births 1990 deaths Nicaraguan emigrants to the United States American male film actors American male television actors AIDS-related deaths in California 20th-century American male actors {{US-tv-actor-1930s-stub