For many, the tall, proper school teacher with the handlebar mustache is the image that comes to mind. We’re talking about Professor Jirafales, a character so beloved that his real name, Rubén Aguirre, often gets overlooked. While his face became famous around the world thanks to Roberto Gómez Bolaños’s hit show ‘El Chavo del Ocho,’ Aguirre’s life was far richer than just one role. He built a career full of varied projects, navigated personal challenges, and left a lasting impact that reached beyond the small screen.
Aguirre himself once shared an interesting secret. He told interviewers that Professor Jirafales was actually his easiest role to play. He felt the character had much in common with his own personality. This meant other roles he took on really stretched his acting skills. Beyond the professor who was always smitten with Doña Florinda, Aguirre also brought other memorable characters to life. Fans might remember him as Lucas Tañeda, the quirky sidekick to Chaparrón Bonaparte in ‘Los Chifladitos.’ He also played Sergeant Refugio in ‘Los Caquitos.’
Rubén Aguirre’s Journey After ‘Chespirito’
By the mid-1990s, the original cast of ‘El Chavo del Ocho’ had slowly drifted apart. Several actors moved on, and Rubén Aguirre stepped away from television. But he didn’t leave the stage entirely. Instead, he started his own traveling show, fittingly called ‘El Circo del Profesor Jirafales.’ With his circus, he toured many cities across Mexico and other parts of Latin America.
His circus might not have been a massive blockbuster, but his fame from the ‘Chespirito’ shows kept him popular for quite a few years. Eventually, Aguirre decided it was time for a new adventure. He put his creativity into a different kind of performance: writing.
In 2015, just months after Roberto Gómez Bolaños passed away, Aguirre released his autobiography. He titled it ‘Después de usted, Profesor Jirafales,’ which means ‘After You, Professor Jirafales.’ The book offered readers a rare peek into his life. He shared stories from his early days in television and talked about his deep friendship with Roberto Gómez Bolaños. He also shared his thoughts on why the original cast members left the show. For fans, the book became a true treasure. It gave an intimate, thoughtful look at the most important moments of his long career.
Aguirre wasn’t just a close friend to Bolaños; he also stood up for him during tough times. He often spoke of Bolaños as “very good” and “generous.” Aguirre praised Bolaños for allowing the ‘Chavo’ cast to keep using the characters that were legally registered under Bolaños’s name.
Keeping His Humor Until the End
Rubén Aguirre faced several health issues in his later years. He battled complications from diabetes and also suffered from a spinal condition that made it hard to move. Despite these challenges, he never lost his trademark good humor.
His son, Arturo Aguirre, once shared some funny details about his dad’s habits. Arturo mentioned that the “Professor” loved sweets, not just cigars. “He was a fan of sugar,” his son revealed. Arturo even recalled a memory from their touring days: “When they went on tour with ‘Chespirito,’ they didn’t order food. They ordered the complete dessert menu.”
Rubén Aguirre passed away in June 2016. He was 82 years old and died in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. His death brought great sadness to fans and his former castmates. Everyone remembered him as a kind, well-mannered person who was deeply dedicated to his acting profession.