Carlos Villagrán. Just hearing that name, your mind probably jumps straight to “Quico.” He’s the chubby-cheeked kid from ‘El Chavo del Ocho’ who made (and still makes) so many people laugh. While his acting life and public image are tightly linked to this amazing character by ‘Chespirito,’ there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye. Many surprising facts about Villagrán have stayed hidden, until now.
Today, Carlos Villagrán Eslava is 81 years old. He’s one of the few main stars from the 1970s cast who are still with us. Maria Antonieta de las Nieves, Florinda Meza, and Édgar Vivar are also still around. Villagrán has six children and has been married three times.
He famously left ‘El Chavo del Ocho’ in 1978. This was due to professional disagreements with Roberto Gómez Bolaños, also known as Chespirito. Villagrán has shared in interviews that this conflict even kept him from working in Mexican media for two decades.
But he found new paths in other countries, like Venezuela. He continued creating new characters there. These new roles often had the same feel as Quico. To deal with legal issues, he later changed the character’s name to “Kiko.”
More Than Just Quico: The Untold Story of Carlos Villagrán
Before he was a famous actor, Carlos Villagrán actually worked as a photographer. He snapped pictures for ‘El Heraldo’ newspaper in Mexico City. This job led him to meet Rubén Aguirre, who would later play Professor Jirafales. Aguirre was the one who suggested Villagrán to Roberto Gómez Bolaños. That meeting was the start of his comedy career.
Ever wonder how he got those famous puffy cheeks? Villagrán often tells the story of imitating an uncle at family gatherings. This uncle was nicknamed “Chapera” and had big cheeks. So, Villagrán learned early how to hold air in his lower cheeks. This curious trick became his character’s trademark.
In the 1980s, Hollywood even came calling. Villagrán got an offer to star in an American comedy movie. It was meant to use Quico’s popularity with Latino audiences. But he couldn’t take the role. The character’s rights were still being fought over with Chespirito.
Few people know that Carlos Villagrán also tried singing. In the 1990s, he attempted a music career. He recorded a couple of songs, blending tropical and ranchero styles. But the project never found enough fans or record label support. So, it was quickly stopped.
He even announced his retirement from playing “Kiko” in 2005. But it didn’t last long. Just months later, he was back on stage. There was huge demand for his shows, especially in South America. His character remained super popular with kids and adults alike there.
Before playing Quico, Villagrán had another interesting character: an old lady! In ‘El Club de Shory,’ he played “Lola Mento.” She was an elderly woman with inflated cheeks, over-the-top crying, and a squeaky voice. These details, like the trembling cry, were later added to Quico.
During his time as the independent “Kiko,” Carlos Villagrán also launched his own comic book. It featured new adventures for the character. He sold an exclusive action figure alongside it during his tours. Both items were a big hit at fairs and conventions, especially in Argentina and Chile.
Now for some backstage drama. In an interview with Argentine pastor and speaker Dante Gebel, Carlos Villagrán shared a surprising detail. He claimed Florinda Meza pursued him romantically in the 1970s. He even said Chespirito himself helped him “shake her off.”
Florinda Meza has been more private about this topic. But in a 2023 interview with journalist Adela Micha, she was asked about the supposed romance. Her reply was a question back: “Do you see me with an idiot?” This gives a hint of her feelings on the matter.
Villagrán also had deep respect for Ramón Valdés, who played Don Ramón. He often said Ramón was “the heart of the show.” He felt all other characters revolved around him in every episode. Villagrán even called Ramón his “best friend.”
And yes, he played another character with inflated cheeks! In ‘El Circo de Monsieur Cachetón,’ Carlos Villagrán played the friendly “Monsieur Cachetón” (Mr. Big Cheeks). This adult circus announcer also used the same facial trick for laughs.
The stories behind the scenes, from his early days as a photographer to his relationships and other characters, show a multifaceted artist. Carlos Villagrán is truly a comedy legend, much more than just a boy with puffy cheeks.