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Carlos Salim Balaa Boglich (13 August 1925 – 22 September 2022), known as Carlitos Balá, was an Argentine actor who specialized in children's entertainment. His trademarks were his bowl-cut hairstyle and nonsense catchphrases that include "¿Qué gusto tiene la sal?" (what is the taste of salt?), "un gestito de idea" (a gesture of idea), "un kilo y dos pancitos" (one kilo and two buns). "observe y saque fotocopia" (watch and make a photocopy), among others.


Biography

He was born in the neighborhood of
Chacarita, Buenos Aires Chacarita is a ''barrio'' or neighborhood in the north-central part of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Located between Colegiales, Palermo, Villa Crespo, La Paternal and Villa Ortúzar, this is a quiet neighbourhood with tree-lined streets, a combinati ...
, living the first years of his life in a historic building known as the ''Yellow House''. Balá's father, Mustafá Balaá, was a syrian butcher from
Damascus Damascus ( , ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in the Levant region by population, largest city of Syria. It is the oldest capital in the world and, according to some, the fourth Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. Kno ...
. On his mother's side, Juana Boglich Catturich, he had roots in Austria (grandfather Nicolás), Uruguay (grandmother Felicia) and Montenegro (Felicia's father Juan Andres). His younger sister Norma encouraged him to do theater; he even wanted him to participate in a school play, but Carlos was very shy. However, he made jokes in the Línea 39
colectivo ''Colectivo'' ( English: collective bus) is the name given in Argentina to a type of public transportation vehicle, especially those of Argentina's capital city, Buenos Aires. The name comes from ''vehículos de transporte colectivo'' ("vehicl ...
, where he worked to overcome his shyness. In the beginning Balá took part in a contest that he won, under the name of Carlos Valdez. His father was listening to the radio when he came out the winner but he did not recognize him because Carlitos had changed his last name for fear of being challenged. Knowing that he had won and that his father did not know it was him, he decided to change and call himself Carlos Balá, keeping the similarity with his real surname. He then decided to go into radio, where he played a very nervous character who made him laugh from day one. In the years before cable television, he had a weekly program that was successful in children's entertainment along with ''El Capitán Piluso'' (played by
Alberto Olmedo Alberto Olmedo (24 August 1933 – 5 March 1988) was an Argentine comedian and actor, popularly regarded as one of the most important comedians in the history of his country, for his outstanding work in television, cinema and theater. Olmedo w ...
) and ''El circo de Marrone'' starred by José Marrone. Balá was a supporter of football club
Chacarita Juniors Club Atlético Chacarita Juniors (usually known simply as Chacarita) is an Argentine association football, football club headquartered in Villa Crespo, Buenos Aires, while the stadium is located in Villa Maipú, General San Martín Partido of Gre ...
. On several occasions a flag with Balá's figure was placed in the stands of Chacarita stadium. He was tempted by various groups of the club to run for president of the club but he always and emphatically refused because he believed that the club did not need him at that time. In November 2018, at the request of the club, the artist Jorge Pagliano painted a mural with the image of Balá on one of the stadium walls. In the mid-1950s, close to turning thirty, he met eighteen-year-old Martha Venturiello, with whom he had a seven-year courtship until his marriage in 1962. Shortly after, they had two children, Laura and Martín . They remained together for nearly seventy years, from 1955 until his death. He stated on several occasions that she was his love "for life". On 22 September 2022, he died at the age of ninety-seven,Murió Carlitos Balá, a los 97 años
A24
after being admitted to the Güemes Sanatorium, located in the neighborhood of
Palermo Palermo ( ; ; , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan province. The ...
, after suffering a bout of
hypotension Hypotension, also known as low blood pressure, is a cardiovascular condition characterized by abnormally reduced blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood and is ...
.


Career


Early career

Balá made his professional debut in 1955, being hired by Délfor Dicásolo to be part of the team of ''La revista dislocada'', a successful
variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
show broadcast on Radio Splendid that was considered a birthplace of artists. After a disagreement with Dicásolo in 1958, Balá left the program and formed a comedy trio with Jorge Marchesini and Alberto Locati starring in ''Los tres...'', on Radio El Mundo, along with announcer
Antonio Carrizo Antonio Carrozzi Abascal, best known as Antonio Carrizo, (September 15, 1926 – January 1, 2016) was an Argentine radio and television presenter. Biography Born in General Villegas, in western Buenos Aires Province, his first experience in broa ...
. The trio became very popular and participated in ''El show de Andy Russell''. Then they starred in ''¡Qué plato!'', and were together until 1960. Later, each one started their own career individually. Balá managed to establish himself solidly in the show.


Recognition and popularity

He began to participate in ''La Telekermese Musical'' on Canal 7, he was also offered to be Joe Bazooka and collaborated in ''El show de Antonio Prieto '' and in ''El show de Paulette Christian''. In addition, he played his character Jacobo Gómez on Radio Splendid. In 1962 he participated in ''Telecómicas'', on Canal 9 and in ''Calle Corrientes'', on Canal 7 as well as in ''El show super 9'' with
Mirtha Legrand Rosa María Juana Martínez Suárez (born 23 February 1927), known by her stage name Mirtha Legrand (; from the French , "the great"), is an Argentine actress and television presenter. With an 80-year career, Legrand is one of the most recognize ...
and Duilio Marzio. In 1963 he made his debut in the theatrical play ''Canuto Cañete, conscripto del siete'', and due to his great success on Canal 9, he was hired to host his own program, ''Balamicina''. At the end of that year he filmed the film version of ''Canuto Cañete...''. In 1964 he was hired by Canal 13 to star in ''El soldado Balá'', and began a long television career during the sixties and seventies with the programs ''El flequillo de Balá'' (1965–66), ''El clan de Balá'' (1967, with scripts by Juan Carlos Mesa, Jorge Basurto, and Carlos Garaycochea); Nicolás Mancera's ''Sábados Circulares'', ''El circus show by Carlitos Balá'', ''El circo mágico de Carlitos Balá'' (1973), and ''El show de Carlitos Balá''. He participated in eighteen family comedy films, such as ''Canuto Cañete y los 40 ladrones'', ''¡Esto es alegría!'', ''Brigada en acción'', ''el tío disparate'', ''Qué hermosa es mi familia!'', among others. In 1979 he was hired to star in ''El show de Carlitos Balá'', working in the intervened state channel Canal 7. He then went on several inland tours with the circus. In 1987,
Cacho Fontana Jorge "Cacho" Fontana (born Norberto Palese Filgueiras; 23 April 1932 – 5 July 2022) was an Argentine radio and television personality. Life and work Born Norberto Palese in the Barracas section of Buenos Aires, he was the only child of Nie ...
hired Balá to be part of the television program ''Sábados de la bondad''. Then he was summoned again by ATC. That same year he returned with ''El show de Carlitos Balá'', which won a
Martín Fierro Awards The Martín Fierro Awards () are awards for Argentine radio and television, granted by APTRA, the Association of Argentine Television and Radio Journalists. History The awards were first given in 1959, limited to television. The next year, the a ...
for best children's program. In 1988 the program went to Canal 2, and that same year he made one of his last film appearances in ''Tres alegres fugitivos''.


Later works

In 1990, ATC produced a program with Carlitos Balá and the ''troupe'' of Margarito Tereré that lasted only a short time on the air. In 1995 he starred in ''To play with Teddy and Carlitos Balá''. Later he participated in TV programs ''Son de diez'', and ''Como vos y yo'', aired on Canal 13. On 2 September 2009, he was invited to ''Justo a tiempo'', a program hosted by Julián Weich,Julián Weich: "Nunca nos vamos a olvidar de Carlitos Balá"
on Cadena 3
where promised to donate his famous ''Chupetómetro'' to continue the tradition of helping kids give up the
pacifier A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple substitute given to an infant or toddler to suckle on between feedings to quiet their distress by satisfying the need to suck when they do not need to eat. Pacifiers normally have three parts: ...
. He himself said that he had it in the "living room" of his house and invited kids to leave their pacifier when they visited him. In addition, he toured the interior of Argentina with his circus. In 2009 he accompanied the clown
Piñón Fijo Fabián Alberto Gómez (; born August 20, 1965) also known by his stage name "Piñon Fijo" is an Argentine clown, actor, singer-songwriter and television host dedicated to the entertainment of children. He's characterized for his routines, songs, ju ...
in his show and in 2011 he participated together with the children's host Laura Franco in the show ''Panam y circo'' as special guest.


Filmography

* ''Canuto Cañete, conscripto del siete'' (1963) * ''Canuto Cañete y los 40 ladrones'' (1965) * ''Canuto Cañete, detective privado'' (1965) * ''La muchachada de a bordo'' (1967) * ''¡Esto es alegría!'' (1967) * ''Somos los mejores'' (1968) * ''
Dos locos en el aire ''Dos locos en el aire'' is a 1976 Argentine film, directed by Palito Ortega. Cast Alphabetically, by last name: * Carlos Balá Carlos Salim Balaa Boglich (13 August 1925 – 22 September 2022), known as Carlitos Balá, was an Argentine acto ...
'' (1976) * ''Brigada en acción'' (1980) * ''El tío Disparate'' (1978) * ''Las locuras del profesor'' (1979) * ''La carpa del amor'' (1979) * ''Vivir con alegría'' (1979) * ''
Locos por la música ''Locos por la música'' () is a 1980 Argentine film directed by Enrique Dawi. It was released in 1980. Plot A tropical music band, led by Carlos Palomino (Carlos Balá), embarks on a journey to capture the attention of record label executives. ...
'' (1980) * '' ¡Qué linda es mi familia!'' (1980) * ''Cosa de locos'' (1981) * ''Un loco en acción'' (1983) * ''Los matamonstruos en la mansión del terror'' (1987) * ''Tres alegres fugitivos'' (1988) * ''Soledad y Larguirucho'' (2012)


Discography

Albums recorded by Balá include:


Studio albums

* ''El Circus Show de Carlitos Balá'' (1971) * ''El circo Carlitos Balá'' (1973) * ''El show de Carlitos Balá'' (1973) * ''El especial de Balá'' (1975) * ''Papá Balá'' (1976) * ''Y qué gusto tiene la sal?'' (1977) * ''Un paseo por La Boca'' (1978) * ''Ganó la bandera'' (1978) * ''Cantemos en familia'' (1980) * ''3 minutitos de alegría'' (1981) * ''Felicidad empieza con fe'' (1981) * ''Mi corazón late feliz'' (1982) * ''Aquí llegó Balá'' (2002) ;Notes


Compilations

* ''Los Grandes Éxitos De Carlitos Balá'' (1978) * ''El show de Carlitos'' (1979) * ''Aquí llegó Balá'' (1979) * ''Un gestito de idea'' (1980) * ''Los marineritos'' (1980) * ''Niños del mundo felicidad'' (1981) * ''Aquí llegó Balá'' (1987) * ''20 super éxitos'' (1995) * ''Los éxitos de Carlitos Balá'' (1997) * ''Lo mejor de mi repertorio'' (2008) * ''Las más lindas canciones de Carlitos Balá'' (2011)


Legacy

On 11 December 2009, the Legislature of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires declared him an Outstanding Cultural Personality. That same year, the musical band
Los Auténticos Decadentes Los Auténticos Decadentes (Spanish language, Spanish for "The Authentic Decadents") is an Argentina, Argentine band that mixes ska with Latin American rhythms. The band was formed around the year 1986 by Cucho and Nito, who invited Gastón to jo ...
released their own version of the song ''Aquí llegó Balá'', which had been used as a musical interlude in program ''El Show de Carlitos Balá''. This version had the collaboration of Balá himself, singing at the beginning of the song and saying some of his most famous catchphrases.Carlitos Balá sigue vivo en sus fans: del Papa Francisco a Los Auténticos Decadentes, homenajes de personalidades que lo amaron
Página/12
On the other hand, Andrés Ciro Martínez, the leader of the band Los Piojos, danced with a Carlos Balá mask in the video for the song ''El spa de los doctores crotos'', also published in 2009. On 22 May 2011, Balá received recognition for his career at the Martín Fierro Awards. That same year,
colectivo ''Colectivo'' ( English: collective bus) is the name given in Argentina to a type of public transportation vehicle, especially those of Argentina's capital city, Buenos Aires. The name comes from ''vehículos de transporte colectivo'' ("vehicl ...
line 39 decided to plot the windows of its buses with an image of Balá as a gift to his 86th. birthday. In 2016 Balá visited
Pope Francis Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until Death and funeral of Pope Francis, his death in 2025. He was the fi ...
at
Vatican City Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State (; ), is a Landlocked country, landlocked sovereign state and city-state; it is enclaved within Rome, the capital city of Italy and Bishop of Rome, seat of the Catholic Church. It became inde ...
, being also declared "Ambassador for Peace". In April 2017 the
Buenos Aires City Legislature The Buenos Aires City Legislature (, commonly known as the ) is the legislative power of the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is housed in the Buenos Aires City Legislature Palace, Legislature Palace (), an archite ...
declared Balá "distinguished citizen of the city".fotos de la distinción de Carlitos Balá como Ciudadano Ilustre de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Infobae, 10 Apr 2017
In October that same year, Balá was awarded a honorable mention as a recognition to his outstanding career as artist. In March 2019 architect Rubén Díaz inaugurated the "Arco del Triunfo de Carlitos Balá", a replic of Parisian
Arc de Triomphe The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, often called simply the Arc de Triomphe, is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Plac ...
in the city of Villa Arisa in
Ituzaingó Partido Ituzaingó is a partido of Buenos Aires Province. It is in the Gran Buenos Aires urban area, Argentina, west of Buenos Aires city. It has an area of and a population of 168,419 (). Its capital, the city of Ituzaingó, and the other districts i ...
,
Greater Buenos Aires Greater Buenos Aires (, GBA), also known as the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (, AMBA), refers to the urban agglomeration comprising the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, controlled by the government of the Autonomous City of B ...
. The Line 39 also honored Balá for his last birthday with the artistic work ''Carlitos Balá Iluminado'', a lightwall graffiti on the company terminal building,Carlitos Balá Iluminado. El corte taza no se mancha
by Alejandro Marmo on Página/12, 29 Sep 2022
The work, made by artist Alejandro Marmo, which would be the last tribute to Balá while he was still alive.CARLITOS BALÁ "ILUMINADO": SU ÚLTIMO HOMENAJE EN VIDA
on El Nueve, 23 Sep 2022


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bala, Carlos 1925 births 2022 deaths Argentine people of Lebanese descent Argentine people of Austrian descent Argentine people of Uruguayan descent Argentine people of Montenegrin descent Argentine male comedians Argentine male television actors Argentine male film actors Argentine children's entertainers Illustrious Citizens of Buenos Aires Male actors from Buenos Aires